Disney in Denver - A Review of Immersive Disney Animation at Lighthouse Immersive Studios

By Austin Price, Editor in Chief

I think it’s safe to say that for generations before us, and generations after us, Walt Disney and his creations have impacted the lives of millions of people. No matter your age or your background, Disney is a household name that instantly lights up a room and brings a smile to your face. As a hardcore Disney fan and wannabe Disney princess, I can confirm the impact Walt and his mouse, Mickey, have made on my life. I have been to Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida half a dozen times; I’ve been on a Disney Cruise twice; I have a wall of Mickey ears in my bedroom, and my bookshelves are lined with Disney books, movies, and merchandise. And so, when I discovered the magic of Walt Disney and Pixar would be coming to our neck of the woods, in Denver Colorado, I knew I had to be there.  

In Lighthouse Immersive Studios and consequently Lighthouse Artspace in Denver, the ultimate magic, endless fantasy, and timeless charm of Disney filled the four walls, ceiling, and floor with 151800000 pixels and 119000 frames of video, featuring Disney’s greatest hits and most iconic movie moments. With motion sensitive lighting, and an interactive floor meant to be entertaining to guests before the show, this massive studio became a whole new world, per say, with the most phenomenal atmosphere of curiosity, discovery, and childlike wonder.  

While this activity may be more popular among families with young children, I can assure you that this experience is fun for people of all ages and of all groups. Whether you’re out for a date night, with a group of friends, or taking a solo trip to enjoy some one-on-one time with the great Walt, this presentation is an unforgettable journey of imagination and cherished memories.  

As you arrive at Lighthouse Immersive Studios, you will be greeted by the man, the myth, the legend himself, Mr. Walt Disney, and his trusty sidekick and the mascot of Disney’s empire, Mickey Mouse. After that, you will be directed by a cast member to a gallery with various Disney villains and antiheroes, leaving a wonderful opportunity for some good, old fashioned Disney trivia with a game of who’s who. In addition to this venue for villains, a mini scavenger hunt, hung on the wall, is presented for the die-hard Disney fans to flaunt their knowledge.  

Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse

After this gallery, we were led into another room with more displays, more information, more characters, and more memorabilia. This next studio offered a more interactive experience through draw-your-own-animation stations, and Disney games and trinkets scattered around the room. My personal favorite display in this studio was the display that stood taller than myself of a Steamboat Willy snapshot, which was Mickey Mouse’s debut in the world of Disney and the beginning of a legacy.  

Mickey Mouse in Steamboat Willy

And now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for, the show. We were guided into the largest studio yet, with benches around the perimeter of the room and a large, silver structure in the dead center. As we walked to our seat, the floor moved with us, and our clothes shimmered with stars and spotlights. We took our seats, and the show began.  

The glimmering floor in the main studio

The main studio walls, covered with beloved characters

The show began in the most over-the-top, true-to-form, Disney fashion with the opening scene of The Lion King, where the animals of the safari witness the presentation of baby Simba by the great monkey, Rafiki. With the iconic music blaring from the speakers, saturated colors drenching the walls through high tech projections, and the joy of Disney at its prime.  

As the show continued, more and more famous snippets and featured characters graced the studio with heartfelt tales of true love, coming-of-age stories of beloved characters, infamous musical numbers lead by villains plotting their crimes, the ultimate victory of good versus evil, wishes on stars, once upon a times, and happily ever after's.  

Personally, my favorite moments were from Tangled with Rapunzel and Eugene singing together on the water, surrounded by lanterns as they fell in love, the plethora of family members from Encanto, rehashing the tales of their family drama, and the classically extravagant musical numbers from Fantasmic as they danced across the screen. The show lasted a little under an hour, giving time for a collage of cherished characters and the stories they tell that we see ourselves in.  

Disney gives us more than movies and rides. Disney gives us an opportunity to see ourselves as something more. Disney helps us see our inner villain, our inner hero, and the constant fight between the two. Disney shows us the fantasies we desire, and the realities we are given. Disney shows us the relationships we covet, and the secrets we keep. Disney shows us the hopes we hold close to our heart, and the fears that lurk inside all of us. Disney shows us our once upon a time, and our happily ever after. 

As the show ended and the mystical world, we were just in closed us out, we were ushered to the ending of every Disney attraction ever. The gift shops. The best way to end any activity in my opinion. 

All in all, I loved this experience and I highly recommend it to anyone who’s ever been a child. If you are interested in immersing yourself in the wonderful world of Disney, you can purchase your tickets through September 4th at https://lighthouseimmersive.com/disney/denver/ 

WandaVision’s contributions to MCU Phase 4

By: Sarah Gomez, Staff Writer

This will include spoilers for the full series, and additional Marvel movies.

The WandaVision series finale has left us with more questions than answers, fan theories were disproved, we saw the fall of the hex and lost what many fans believed to be a set up for the young avengers. Though the ending may have seen a bit clear cut, with Wanda destroying the hex and going onto study magic in a faraway land, there is a lot still unclear. 

The Twins

When Wanda destroyed the hex, we saw her lose not only Vision, but her two boys, Billy and Tommy. This led to an invalidation of what many Marvel fans believed to be the first of the young avengers. Billy and Tommy were supposed to be wiccan and speed, however their deaths complicate how they are going to come back to assume those roles. The end credit scene of the final episode shows Wanda seemingly making contact with her children on a separate plane. This is a clear set up for the reincarnation of the twins, hopefully something that will be explored in the Doctor Strange Sequel, where Elisabeth Olsen is already set to make an appearance. 

The Missing Person

Many fans were upset that the appearance of Evan Peters’ quicksilver seemed to be a mere fan service, however many theorize that it goes beyond that. The theory that Ralph Bohner is the person Agent Woo was looking for is something fans are still debating. While many say this is not the case because of Woo’s lack of reaction to seeing him, Woo doesn’t see him at all. Once “Pietro” comes into the show, Woo is then taken off the base and does not get to comment on Ralph Bohner. In addition to this, Evan Peters’ Peter Maximoff would be a definite candidate for witness protection, being who he is. This theory, however, has holes. The headshots suggest that Ralph is a struggling actor, an idea further confirmed with bills that are overdue for the past year. If Ralph was in witness protection, he would most likely be barred from a career like acting. However, a struggling actor would not be able to afford the house Ralph has, causing more confusion. Though it is extremely unclear as to who the missing person is, it’s reasonable to assume they will play a part in the next phase.

The Vision

The duel of the two Visions is some of the most action we see in the series finale, ending rather anticlimactically. Following the actual fighting, the two engage in discussion on who “The Vision” is. Their discussion of the Ship of Theseus then led to a philosophical discussion between the two that ended with the realization that both of them are and are not The Vision. The white Vision then flies off and is seemingly defeated for the time being. Though that is the last of him we see in WandaVision, it is expected he returns once his internal conflict is resolved. 

The Multiverse of Madness

One of the many successes of the series is the set up for the Doctor Strange sequel. In addition to the end credit scenes' implication of the twins being in another plane, the prophecy described the scarlet witch as someone more powerful than the sorcerer supreme. The last time we saw someone labeled the sorcerer supreme, they died. Doctor Strange is now next in line to fill that position, setting the scene for a Wanda versus Strange fight scene. 

Overall, WandaVision was a perfect introduction for the universe following the loss of a majority of the original MCU characters. Not only has the series been able to set up what seems to be the premise of future films, but it was also able to bring attention to how everyone felt following the blip. Though it is safe to assume we will not be getting any more episodes of WandaVision anytime soon, with Marvel we may never know.

WandaVision: Not Just for Marvel Fans

By: Sarah Gomez, Staff Writer

I’m sure nearly everyone at this point has heard of the Disney+ original WandaVision, the first series made by Marvel Studios, set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, with that being said, you don’t have to care or even know about any of that to enjoy the series as it is. Though Marvel fans might advertise this series as something of the specific niche, anyone who likes a good plot and cool characters can enjoy it. This sitcom format series is something enjoyable for multiple audiences of different familiarities of the characters. Whether you’re a marvel fanatic, only seen two or three films, or never even heard of it, WandaVision is bound to have something you can enjoy.

The show follows a couple, Wanda and Vision, as they move into their new home in the town of Westview, New Jersey. Wanda, a stay-at-home wife who can make a pen float in the air, and Vision, an indestructible AI that works for Computational Services Inc., move in at the beginning of the series. This series also expands on the two characters on a more personal level. This approach establishes the two in their own little bubble. The two are the main characters and we get to see the two grow with each other in a completely independent manner. The show follows a standard sitcom format that changes throughout the series, going from 50’s to 60’s and so on and so forth. While the two love birds are living their newly-wed lives in their new home, things begin to look out of the ordinary for their picture-perfect life. New problems begin to arise that are out of the ordinary even for a sitcom, and the rest of the series attempts to understand who or what is ruining the show. 

Though this may not be the most enticing storyline for everyone immediately, each episode comes with its own flavor. In addition to having the time era‘s general aesthetics, the story line of the episode follows a similar arc we would expect from a television show at that time. From I Love Lucy to The Office, WandaVision has an episode for whatever your comfort sitcom may be. In addition to this, the variety in episodes keep audiences constantly on their toes. The easy-to-follow plot makes this an ideal binge for family nights or background entertainment for studying, while still being entertaining.

Movie Review: Beauty and the Beast

(Photo: Walt Disney Studios)

               It’s time once again for an adventure in the great, wide somewhere. And by somewhere, I mean “the hidden heart of France” because that is where this tale as old as time is being told by Disney once more on the big screen. Disney’s story of Beauty and the Beast was first released as an animated movie in 1991. Twenty-five years later, it is now a live-action film retelling with all the classic characters and charming storytelling told through music and magic.

               Once again, we follow the tale of a young woman named Belle, played by Emma Watson, who longs for adventure outside her little town and away from the unwanted courting of the town’s hero Gaston, played by Luke Evens. Through a series of unexpected circumstances, Belle finds herself a resident of an enchanted castle that is ruled by the Beast, played by Dan Stevens, and staffed by a group of enchanted objects, who need to break a curse put on them by an enchantress.

               In this live-action retelling, there is much more story for us to explore. Some of the characters get more exposition and backstory, compared to the original animated movie, and the characters themselves are portrayed by an all-star cast, including Ewan McGregor as Lumière, Sir Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, and Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts.

               Another element that is also making a return to the big screen is the music numbers that made Beauty and the Beast a Disney classic. Originally composed and written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, songs like “Be Our Guest” and “Beauty and the Beast” return and are beautifully composed and performed with more excitement and enriching choreography than what was possible with 2D animation in the original movie. This version of Beauty and the Beast features new songs like “How Does a Moment Last Forever” and “Evermore” composed specifically for the more tender moments in the movie and end credit songs are sung by Céline Dion and Josh Groban.

               With so much more to experience in Beauty and the Beast, how does a Jesuit value fit into this story? Well, that’s just it. Since there is more to the story, the characters experience the Magis, or “more,” in their specific situations. Because Magis is striving for the better or discerning the greater good, this movie shows how some of the main characters are trying to be the best version of themselves. Take for example, the Beast. At first, the Beast is in despair and has a low tolerance for anyone with whom he interacts, but as the movie goes on he strives to be the best version of himself by showing he is more than a monstrous face, showing compassion for Belle and the staff, and by not defining himself because of his actions in the past. Through the Beast’s character, we see how the value of Magis means to strive to be the best person possible by recognizing personal strengths and acting upon them with dignity and self-worth.

               Not so provincial anymore, huh?

Allison Upchurch Staff Reporter