Disney Infinity (2022 film)

The Monster and the Dragon: A Disney Infinity Picture (also known as The Disney Infinity Movie and Disney Infinity: The Monster and the Dragon or Disney Infinity in its working titles) is a 2017 computer-animated fantasy comedy film based on the video game series, Disney Infinity by Avalanche Software. An international co-production between the United States, Kingdom, and Australia, it was co-written and directed by Matt Drummond and co-written by Brad Lewis, Pete Docter, and Nathan Greno. The film follows an evil virus named Blizzard who is plotting to destroy the Toy Box. So Mike, Rapunzel, McQueen, Woody and friends are forced to stop him by uniting the Toy Box worlds.

The film was produced by Reel FX Creative Studios and Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures, and stars the voices of Billy Crystal, Kevin Spacey, Mandy Moore, Owen Wilson, Tom Hanks, Michael Caine, and Steve Buscemi. The film makes a departure from Reel FX's more realistically set films to feature various unique elements, such as aesthetics of twentieth-century animation with warm colors, inconsistent backgrounds and character models, and a gradual tonal shift from family comedy to action-packed. It also observes the rising tensions between the hero and the villain, and how their hatred (or in the dragon's case, hunger) for one another could ultimately push one of them into making a decision that would doom their world forever.

The Monster and the Dragon: A Disney Infinity Picture had a nationwide release in the United States on July 14, 2017; it was later released in the United Kingdom and Ireland on December 6, 2017. It grossed over $1.018 billion against a budget of $200 million, and received acclaim from critics for its animation, screenplay, humor, performances, themes, and score.

The film was rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for "mild thematic elements including animated action violence, mild language, and some suggestive humor".

In December 2015, Reel FX Creative Studios announced plans to release The Monster and the Dragon: A Disney Infinity Picture on October 27, 2017. However, the following month, the film was taken off the release schedule, and the new release date was yet to be announced. In March 2016, the release date was pushed to July 14, 2017.

In 2016, it was announced that Billy Crystal, Woody Harrelson, Mandy Moore, Owen Wilson, Tom Hanks, Michael Caine, Steve Buscemi, Danny DeVito, John Goodman, Craig T. Nelson, Johnny Depp, Tim Allen & Jason Lee were cast to reprise most of their roles despite DeVito taking place for Robin Williams after his death in 2014. In June of that year, it was announced that Harrelson dropped out of the project due to production conflicts, so they said Kevin Spacey would take over for him right after Harrelson dropped out of the project.

In the United States and Canada, The Monster and the Dragon: A Disney Infinity Picture was released alongside War for the Planet of the Apes, Blind, and Wish Upon, and was projected to gross $200 million from 1,612 theaters during its opening weekend. The film placed second on its opening weekend behind Blind, grossing $7.5 million. On the second weekend, it grossed $29.2 million, dropping to fourth place. The film grossed $1.018 billion worldwide.

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 94% based on 128 reviews, with an average rating of 8.2/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "The Matt Drummond-directed version of Disney Infinity offers enough visual warmth, fast-paced wit, and retro fare to earn its reputation as a rare adaptation that pleases moviegoers beyond returning fans." On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 77 out of 100, based on 47 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". On CinemaScore, audience members gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.

Peter Debruge, a writer for the Variety magazine, called the film "beautiful, action-packed, humorous, quirky, heartwarming, satisfying, and sentimental, yet quite often not ashamed to make fun of itself for being beautiful, action-packed, humorous, quirky, heartwarming, satisfying, and sentimental." Michael O'Sullivan of The Washington Post gave the film four-and-a-half stars out of four, calling it "one of the most intelligently written Looney Tunes parodies in a long time with a PG twist. In a mere 94 minutes, these Characters have given us something fresh and funny to behold." Brian D. Johnson of Maclean's wrote, "This dragon dictator is a threat for a reason; he serves to push the monster to destroy his own home to get the chow [he] wants and as a cry for help. Now on the other side, that snowman from Frozen must help Mike and his Friends defend themselves and everyone he loves against the destructive forces that emerge from his predator's self-importance. The third act, is so vividly beautiful."

Doodle Toons was released on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital download on November 14, 2017, 3 days before Wonder came out in theaters. Which also stars Owen Wilson.

Plot
An evil virus named Blizzard is plotting to destroy the Toy Box. Mike, Rapunzel, McQueen, Woody and friends are forced to stop him by uniting the Toy Box worlds.

Cast

 * Billy Crystal as Michael "Mike" Wazowski, a short, round green monster with a single big eyeball and skinny limbs. He is Rapunzel's love interest. He becomes the mayor of Disney infinity alongside Rapunzel at the end of the film.
 * Kevin Spacey as Blizzard, Mike and Rapunzel's evil, power-hungry dragon and the assistant of Randall. He has a much softer side for the Disney Infinity characters towards the end of the film. She becomes the co-mayor of Disney infinity alongside Mike at the end of the film.
 * Mandy Moore as Rapunzel, a beautiful, kind princess with 70 ft. long-blonde hair. She is very humorous and develops romantic feelings towards Mike Wazowski.
 * Owen Wilson as Lightning "Montgomery" McQueen, a hot-shot rookie race car.
 * Tom Hanks as Woody, a pull-string cowboy doll and the sheriff of the Disney Infinity town.
 * Michael Caine as Finn McMissle, a blue British spy-car and the leader of the Disney Infinity spy team.
 * Steve Buscemi as Randall Boggs, a purple, eight-legged lizard monster with a chameleon-like ability to change his skin color and blend in completely with his surroundings. He is shown to be the true main antagonist alongside Syndrome of the film after Blizzard redeems himself.
 * Danny DeVito as The Genie, a comedic jinnī with great power that can only be exercised when his master wishes it. DeVito takes place for Williams after he died in 2014.
 * Jason Bateman as Nick Wilde, an orange fox who is a former con-artist and the current news reporter of the Disney Infinity town.
 * Bill Nighy as Davy Jones, the arch enemy of Jack Sparrow.
 * Josh Gad as Olaf, a talking snowman who is (like Rapunzel) very humorous.
 * Sarah Silverman as Vanellope von Schweetz, a racer/glitch in Sugar Rush.
 * John Goodman as James P. "Sulley" Sullivan, a huge, furry blue ogre with horns, a tail, and purple spots. He is a gentle giant by nature and Mike's best friend.
 * Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel as Anna and Elsa, the two best friend-sisters who are Rapunzel's older cousins.
 * Craig T. Nelson as Mr. Incredible, a superhero possessing super-strength.
 * Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, a space-ranger toy figure who is Woody's best friend.
 * Kelly Macdonald as Merida, a princess with a scottish who is Rapunzel's best friend.
 * Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, An eccentric pirate characterized by his slightly drunken swagger, slurred speech and awkwardly flailing hand gestures.
 * Bill Murray as Baloo, a giant wise-cracking bear who is not seen often in the film.
 * Bryce Dallas Howard as Tinker Bell, the character who brings Disney Infinity town to life and the narrator of the film.