Disney+ Winter Specials

by Le Anne Lindsay, Editor

ONCE UPON A SNOWMAN & THE LEGO STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL

Founding members of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle were given access to Disney’s press screening platform in the early part of COVID. Those, including me, who became members in the last two years had a harder time getting access, which is why there’s no Live Action MULAN review on the site.  However, I was persistent, figure it didn’t hurt to somehow mention the fact that I’m the only black female member. Don’t know if that worked, but I finally received an email to set up an account!  I’m sure in the future there will be things to screen as early press access, but at this point, the only things listed are already available on Disney+ for the public…

ONCE UPON A SNOWMAN

I’m not sure I ever asked myself, what was Olaf’s mental state having just been born into consciousness out of thin, icy air, by Elsa in FROZEN.  Well, whether you asked or not, the previously untold origins of Olaf are revealed in the Disney+ short “Once Upon A Snowman”.  In it, Olaf experiences a harrowing adventure in the snowy mountains outside Arendelle resulting from his first choice for a nose.

“This is an idea that started to form when I was an animator on the first Frozen,” said director Trent Correy.” “Dan Abraham and I are so grateful and excited to have had the opportunity to direct this short, working with our incredible colleagues at Walt Disney Animation Studios.”

“Josh Gad gives one of the great animated voice performances as Olaf through the ‘Frozen’ films,” said director Dan Abraham. “To have the opportunity to work with him in the recording booth was such a privilege and career highlight.”

THE LEGO STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL

The great thing about LEGO world building is anything is possible – even time traveling back through important Jedi teaching moments in Star Wars history!  The story picks up post-Episode IX and finds Rey trying to train Finn in Jedi techniques.  He’s failing miserably and she feels like it’s her fault.  Instead of taking the advice of the remaining crew of The Millennium Falcon who want her to put training aside to prepare for Life Day Celebrations (very similar to Christmas). Rey jets off to a location revealed to her in one of those Jedi books she got from Master Luke. Taking droid BB-8 with her as a side-kick, promising to be back in plenty of time to celebrate Life Day.  Which of course means she’s going to encounter numerous adventures and obstacles to delay her return.

This kind of story and timeline crossover is uniquely suited to LEGO Star Wars, which has become something of a sub-brand, or sub-galaxy, all its own, proving to be a huge gateway into Star Wars for kids, but also popular with adults. It’s not hard to see why: Building sets are creative exercises, and LEGO Star Wars series and specials are routinely filled with jokes and gags, breaking of the fourth wall, and exciting action, but also respect for the source material.

“We were looking for new creative approaches now that Disney+ was out in the marketplace. We’ve done LEGO shorts and series before so we pushed ourselves to think more broadly,” says Rimes. “And the fact that we’re operating in the LEGO galaxy gave us license to lean into the fun and playfulness that’s critical when it came to thinking about exploring a new take on a Star Wars holiday special.” –James Waugh and Josh Rimes