Disney is famed for pioneering the art of animation, but since the studio's split with Pixar, it's fallen behind in the race. Their "wacky" sci-fi caper Meet The Robinsons, following the adventures of a time travelling orphan (Jordan Fry), showed more ambition than Chicken Little, but perhaps it was the lack of star power that meant it only got a lukewarm reception at the box office.
Family Ties
William Joyce, who wrote the book on which the film is based, reflects on the inspiration for his work in Inventing The Robinsons. Apparently all the characters are based on real family members thrust into extraordinary circumstances, or as Joyce puts it: "The way I wished my childhood had been." Young director Stephen J. Anderson reveals how the story chimed with his own experiences as a boy who was put up for adoption. Later on, there's an up-close look at character design, casting (including snippets from the soundbooth) and prolific composer Danny Elfman lets us in on his offbeat approach to the music.
Lost In Translation
Anderson elaborates on the parallels between the story and his own upbringing in the film commentary. That explains why he wanted to "boost the emotional through-line" after reading an early draft of the script, but admits that there were "consistent story struggles" in trying to blend the 'memory scanner' invention plot with the adoption angle. In the end, it was the idea of "letting go of the past" that helped him to tie these threads together (albeit in a sometimes tenuous fashion).
A featurette on the Inventions That Shaped The World shows us how far mankind has progressed with a little forward thinking. Everything from the wheel to sliced bread is covered in this light-hearted trawl through history.
Meet The Outcasts
Anderson introduces three deleted scenes, which are presented in varying stages of completion. The first is an alternative take on Lewis and Wilbur (Wesley Singerman) arriving in the future where the latter tries to dissuade his new friend from travelling back to visit his biological mother. In the other scenes, Lewis helps to change the destiny of Bowler Hat Guy (voiced by Anderson himself) and there's more from the garrulous robot Carl (Harland Williams) who warns the kids against messing with the space-time continuum.
You will have to watch the film before having a bash at the Family Function 5000 game, which poses questions about the Robinsons' personal habits. Rounding off the extras menu are two music videos, Little Wonders by Rob Thomas and Kids Of The Future from the Jonas Brothers.
At the time of its initial release, critics were starkly divided on whether this film was a simple misfire or a meaningful toon marking the beginning of a brighter future for Disney Animation. Of course, in the end, it's up to the kids to decide.
EXTRA FEATURES
Meet The Robinsons DVD is released on Monday 10th September 2007.
