#GiveCaptainAmericaABoyfriend

Take this news for what it is: Gay fans and political groups are approaching Marvel executives and calling out for the very single Captain America to be given a boyfriend. All coming from the same groups that are asking, almost demanding, that Frozen's Elsa be given a girlfriend. 

The answer needs to be "No." Back in the day when things were less open, Stan Lee could have made the Captain intentionally sexually ambiguous, but he did not. Let's stay with the original content and honor those who created him. These fans asking for the boyfriend should be ashamed of themselves for wanting to change a classic piece of comic and film art to suit their political agenda.

Will Disney ever make a gay hero or heroine? I'm sure the time will come, but it certainly is not now for this iconic hero. 

Freshly Frozen- An Epcot Attraction Update... and an Avatar Teaser

Brand new- a look at the Frozen Ever After attraction in Epcot's aging but still beautiful World Showcase. 

The walls cannot hide the massive addition this is that will change the feel of Norway as well as the surrounding areas. Well, not at all really. The area will change, and the addition of more characters to World Showcase further diminishes the original intent of the park, but the land mass used is really not that big. It does, however, leave no room for another country next door.

Will the attraction be enjoyable? Yes, certainly. Will it bring in the crowds? Yes. And will it make the true fans of old school Imagineering wish it was more? Without a doubt.

And now for a quick Pandora / World of Avatar update. As my son-in-law said, the "most advanced photo on the planet."

Thanks to my daughter for the photos in the middle of her trip...

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

The Deconstruction of Condor Flats and Robert Iger's Big Bucks

You gotta hand it to both MouseInfo and Magic Eye! When you need the sites to come through with some great photos, they certainly do. 

Just as with our New Year's resolutions to improve ourselves, be it with health or spiritual resolutions, Disney is jumping in to transform California Adventure's Condor Flats into the Grizzly Peak Airfield.

The exterior transformation of Taste Pilot's Grille and the dismantling of the old mist spewing engine next to Soarin' Over California tell me that Imagineering is doing a serious revamp of the area- much more than new paint and a few new pines trees.

All the work should look fantastic when completed. This does bring up a serious question: Why does the Disneyland Resort seem to do so much better than Walt Disney World when it comes to "plussing" the parks and all around general maintenance? Even California's Frozen offerings are off the charts compared to the abysmal "attractions" offered at Disney's Hollywood Studios. 

Could it be the suits at the Walt Disney Company think they can fleece the buying public? I guess somebody has to pay for Robert Iger's $46 million dollar salary for 2014! 

(Photographs courtesy MouseInfo and Magic Eye.)

Frozen Treat

Unexpectedly good. Very, very good, in fact. Disney's Frozen holds its own with the classics. The long in coming adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson's relatively unknown "The Snow Queen" warms hearts with interesting characters, breathtaking atmosphere, and a storyline that Disney has never worked before. 

The princess siblings Anna and Elsa have a mysterious, and at times, unfortunate bond which causes much difficulties between them. Forming the heart of the film, the characters are richer than you'd expect from Disney. The same can be said for the two suitors. Commoner Kristoff and royal Hans compete for Anna's hand. Which one will she choose? 

The voice actors Kristin Bell (Anna), Idina Menzel (Elsa), and Josh Gad as frosty sidekick Olaf, do a particularly good job with the task at hand.  The music and songs are pretty good too- much more complex at second thought than just ordinary and serviceable. In my mind, the standout number is the comedic "In Summer" by the lovable and charming snowman.

What is a great Disney film without excellence in animation? The animation here almost steals the show. The kingdom of Arendelle is so beautifully created and atmospheric that there should be a travel advisory for Scandinavia at the end of the film. The special effects are stunning- snowy storms, transitions to glistening ice,  and the rebirth of summer to the kingdom are fantastic- among the best Disney animators have ever accomplished. You must see this in the big screen. Do not wait until its inevitable home DVD release. Do buy it when it arrives, but in the meantime, you can click on the above image to see what I mean.

There's not one single standout number a la "Under the Sea" or slice of animation that matches "I See the Light" from Tangled, but instead there is a compelling cohesiveness as each piece part works together to create an absolutely winning combination. Make no mistake- superlatives and promotional material aside, Frozen is a treat for the family.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)