Animusings Kaela Berry & David King

It’s the season finale of Animusings, and we are wrapping things up (for now) with a sojourn to Colombia and the home of the Madrigal family. Both Seid and Benjamin are back to help us talk about this 2021 feature, with discussions including family dynamics and drama as a focal story point, the significance of Mirabel’s glasses, how Dolores deserved her own musical number and why we can’t stop talking about Bruno (and his ability to speed-repair drywall).

The land of Kumandra awaits in this fantasy adventure from 2021, and Kaela and David reunite with special guest Justin Quizon to take a trip down the dragon-shaped river. As they go, their discussion includes production challenges in the face of a pandemic, Southeast Asian representation, storytelling without a recognized “Disney villain,” girl crushes and the REAL Boss Baby.

2019 sees us return to Arendelle and exploring the unknown beyond in this sequel. Kaela, David, Angi and Shawn are back and have an understandably big undertaking ahead of them, with topics such as episodic vs. serial sequels, expanded character studies, power ballads done right and some disagreements about Olaf’s internal struggles.

The first proper (not direct-to-video) sequel since The Rescuers Down Under sees us returning to the arcade before venturing into the unfathomable internet. Kaela, David and Sandy have a multiplayer discussion of this 2018 feature and discuss topics such as John Lasseter’s departure, product placement without copyright fears, why clowns are annoying, and how Ralph’s character is undermined this time around.

Kaela and David go back to a duo act as they present this last Animusings+ of the Disney run (for the time being, at least): a discussion of the 2018 sequel to the beloved MARY POPPINS. Topics of discussion includes nostalgia in the formula, weird and unintended chemistry, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and why a surprising cameo by Angela Lansbury makes sense in a most delightful way.

The ocean calls to us as Kaela, David, Seid and Raevell dive in to this 2016 voyage of adventure and discovery set in the mythic South Pacific. Discussion points in this episode include the studio’s attempt at proper cultural representation, animating water and hair, sneaking in a Flight of the Concords-style song, scenes that give us chills (in a good way) and Alan Tudyk’s most prolific role yet.