Strange, No. Magical, Definitely!
Music has always been a critical part of my life. From my young days in dancing where I was exposed to a variety of genres of music to now where I’m appreciating all-things orchestra thanks to my daughters. Along the way there have been some standouts. In high school and college, I was all about oldies. Mostly 50s and 60s but some big band and swing music as well. If I was into karaoke (which, thankfully, I’m not) then The Supremes would have been on the top of my list.
As with any couple, some songs hold special significance and bring tears of joy to my face whenever I hear them. Most notably, Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. I’ve heard a lot of renditions and they all make me smile. Some social media friends of mine were invited to meet and interview George Lucas as publicity for the launch of the animated motion picture, Strange Magic. I recall seeing in one of their wrap-up posts that this song so dear to my heart would be a driving force in the movie. Strange Magic had already been on my radar to watch but this news pushed it over the top.
Since I receive media notifications and details about upcoming Disney movies, I see a lot of trailers as soon as they are released. All the previews I had watched for Strange Magic made the premise of the movie feel a lot like Epic. Movies are always compared to predecessors so that didn’t concern me. After all these years of movies, it would be pretty difficult to come up with a completely original idea or theme that is unlike any other. So while there were similarities in the previews and descriptions, I still had every intention of going to see it in the theater as the first of many 2015 Movies that I planned to see. If you haven’t seen any of the Strange Magic trailers yet, here’s one for you: (You can catch other trailers and news on the Strange Magic social pages: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.)
With a few preconceived ideas in my head, we set off to see it. Let me tell you… it was NOTHING near what I expected. Not strange as the title led us to believe but definitely, definitely, DEFINITELY magical.
First and foremost, the plot was quite different than Epic. The trailers that gave that impression were masking the true nature of this movie. Instead, it’s a story about love and relationships. “Strange Magic,” a new animated film from Lucasfilm Ltd., is a madcap fairy tale musical inspired by “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Popular songs from the past six decades help tell the tale of a colorful cast of goblins, elves, fairies and imps, and their hilarious misadventures sparked by the battle over a powerful potion.”
But what made this movie totally over the top for me was the music. The soundtrack includes updated renditions of songs that I loved in high school and college that dated back to the 50’s and 60’s intertwined with songs from the past few years and topped off with the highlight song “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. Six decades of music that had me smiling from ear to ear the entire movie. While I think telling you about the movie will just give too much away, sharing the soundtrack should inspire you to want to go see it.
Listen to this powerhouse Strange Magic Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.
1. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Evan Rachel Wood and Sam Palladio
2. “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” by Evan Rachel Wood
3. “Three Little Birds” by Elijah Kelley and Meredith Anne Bull
4. “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Marius De Vries
5. “C’mon Marianne / Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Sam Palladio and Evan Rachel Wood
6. “Trouble” by Alan Cumming
7. “Love Is Strange” by Kristin Chenoweth
8. “Say Hey (I Love You)” by Elijah Kelley
9. “Mistreated” by Alan Cumming
10. “I Can’t Help Myself” by Meredith Anne Bull
11. “Straight On” by Evan Rachel Wood and Alan Cumming
12. “Strange Magic” by Evan Rachel Wood and Alan Cumming
13. “Tell Him / Wild Thing” by Meredith Anne Bull, Maya Rudolph, Evan Rachel Wood, and Alan Cumming
My girls along with a neighbor girl and boy all said they wanted to see the movie again. The neighbors wanted to see it with their parents. My daughters said they wanted Scott to see it. I have to agree… My only regret about this movie is that the love of my life wasn’t sitting next to me during it. No doubt, we’ll be seeing it again.
Which song most resonates with you?
“Strange Magic” has been a favorite ELO song of mine since childhood in the 70s. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever changed the radio station when an ELO song was on. Thanks for reviewing the movie. It looks good but I had my reservations before shelling out the money.
The music totally made it for me, William. The story is good but I was on the edge of my seat hoping some of the songs would come back on.
My daughter would probably love this! I will have to check out the soundtrack!
I have never heard of this movie. George Lucas ..wow.. I am sure it will have to be good.
I cannot wait to see this movie. Looks like it will be a lot of fun. My daughter will definitely enjoy it!
So my daughter is chomping at the bit to see Cinderella, and my son is going crazy for Strange Magic. I can tell this is going to be a fun season!
This looks really cute. I would love to watch this with my son since I know that he would like this.
Cute. Cute. Cute. My boys would get a kick out of this movie… and their sound track looks great! 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
This looks like a super cute movie! I think my boys would get a kick out of watching this. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
I’ve been seeing the previews for this one – looks cute! And I’m with you, what a killer soundtrack!
“Wild Thing” is the one that resonates with me–and NO I’m not saying why. I was born on 1950 so I grew up ith all those songs and of course the 60’s songs and somewhat into the 70’s. I would like to see this movie just for the music!!
We don’t do magic but I’m glad you liked the movie
What great songs-we grew up always listening to the Oldies and I love it. They always make me dance a little when I hear them. Maybe I’ll take my boys out to see this movie.
I can’t wait to see this movie. The characters seem so unique and diverse.
Yes must check out the music. Awesome.
I was able to screen this movie before it came out and I LOVED it. I loved the characters and the story line!
Good old iTunes; for some reasons it always gives me troubles. No surprise, it did when I tried to load your preview. So I didn’t check it out, sorry. But, I enjoyed the visual aspects of Frozen so much, I am sure I would enjoy this movie. I love the ELO song “Strange Magic” and I am assuming that is the song on the sountrack.
We recently started having movie nights with the kids and this looks like one they would enjoy!
Some thoughts: Really like the music list. The animation here looks incredible. I’m jealous that your friends got to meet and interview George Lucas.
The minimum I ask of any movie is to take me somewhere interesting, give me someone (or something) to care about and keep me from looking at my watch. This sounds like it’ll totally exceed my expectations.
I saw this movie about a month before it came out into theaters on the Disney Lot and um, Ah ha ha ha ha! I had no idea what to expect and um, lets just say… I am glad I didn’t pay to see it? 😉
Sorry to hear you didn’t feel it would be worth paying to see. You aren’t the first one to say that. 🙂 For me, I think the music was what did the trick. If it hadn’t been filled with music that I like so much, I might have had a different opinion.
I love George Lucas’ work as a film director! He’s made enough successful films that I would probably be curious to see this one. 🙂