Taron and the Magic Cauldron is a children's fantasy book written by Jane Smith. The story follows the adventures of Taron, a young boy who discovers a cauldron while exploring the forest near his home. Little does Taron know, this is no ordinary cauldron - it has magical powers. One day, while playing by the stream, Taron stumbles upon a hidden cave. Curiosity gets the better of him, and he decides to explore further. Inside the cave, he finds an old, dusty cauldron resting on a stone pedestal.
As of this day, the original cut of the film with the removed scenes restored, has never been released on video or DVD. A version of the film with more cuts has appeared on the Disney Channel and the Toon Disney channel.
Dalben - A Fae and an agent of the Order of Fate entrusted with protecting the oracular pig Hen Wen from those who might seek to use her visions to their own ends. Without rhyme or reason, with no warning whatsoever, Hen Wen has begun to resume human form for sometimes hours or days a time before she similarly once more transformed into a pig.
Inside the cave, he finds an old, dusty cauldron resting on a stone pedestal. Intrigued, Taron touches the cauldron, and to his surprise, it begins to glow. Suddenly, the cauldron starts to speak.
Western Animation / The Black Cauldron
Released on July 24, 1985, The Black Cauldron is the 25th entry in the Disney Animated Canon. It is the story of Taran, a young Assistant Pig Keeper who desperately wants to be a great warrior. He is charged with hiding Hen Wen, an innocent-looking pig — who is actually an oracle. The Big Bad, the Horned King, wants the pig because she can uncover the location of the Black Cauldron, with which he will bring to life an army of invincible, undead warriors to conquer the world.
Along the way, Taran meets Gurgi, a cowardly, furry creature who is always looking for food to eat, Princess Eilonwy, who aids him in his escape from the Horned King's dungeon, and the wandering minstrel Fflewddur Fflam.
The Disney Animated Canon's succeeding film, The Great Mouse Detective, is often thought to be the first Disney animated film to have CGI, but in fact, it was The Black Cauldron that used it first. note Chuck Jones once argued, though, that technically 1961's 101 Dalmatians was the first to use CGI, as back then xerox machines were classified as a type of computer. While largely animated by a team of young CalArts graduates, the film was nonetheless helmed by veteran Disney artists Ted Berman and Art Stevens and featured character designs provided by an otherwise-retired Milt Kahl, hence the film's visual similarities to numerous mid-century Mouse productions. A major critical and financial failure (being thwarted at the box office by The Care Bears Movie), the film was promptly buried by Disney for decades and earned the disapproval of then-recently-hired executives Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg, compelling them to restructure the studio's production methods and creative priorities in response to the film's failure (thereby leading, ultimately, to the Disney Renaissance).
The film was also adapted into a computer game released by Sierra On-Line in 1986 (yes, the same folks who produced Space Quest and King's Quest).
Based on the The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander, The Black Cauldron is easily one of Disney's darkest animated features.
In 2016, it was announced that Disney has re-acquired the rights to the novel series and has plans for it, although the nature of those plans remains to be seen.
It introduces itself as Elwyn, the guardian of the enchanted forest. Elwyn explains that the cauldron is no ordinary pot but a powerful magical artifact. It has the ability to grant any wish but only if used for the greater good. Excited by his newfound discovery, Taron brings the cauldron home, eager to test its powers. However, he soon realizes that he must be careful with his wishes as they can have unintended consequences. Throughout the story, Taron learns important lessons about responsibility and the consequences of his actions. As he becomes more acquainted with the cauldron, Taron encounters various magical creatures in the forest, including fairies, talking animals, and even a mischievous troll. These encounters teach Taron about the importance of kindness, compassion, and understanding. In the final chapters, Taron must use the magic cauldron's powers to overcome a great evil threatening the enchanted forest. With the help of his newfound friends, Taron successfully overcomes the enemy and saves the day. Taron and the Magic Cauldron is a heartwarming tale of self-discovery, friendship, and the power of good. It emphasizes the importance of using one's powers and gifts for the betterment of others. Children reading this book will be captivated by the imaginative world created by Jane Smith and will be inspired to think about the consequences of their own actions. The story serves as a reminder that the choices we make can have a significant impact on ourselves and those around us..
Reviews for "Taron and the Magic Cauldron: The Journey Begins"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Taron and the magic cauldron." The story felt unoriginal and cliché, with predictable plot twists and one-dimensional characters. The animation quality was also subpar, lacking the attention to detail and smoothness that I expect from modern animated films. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable and uninspiring movie experience.
2. Michael - 1/5 stars - "Taron and the magic cauldron" was a complete waste of time. The animation was crude and amateurish, making it difficult to engage with the story. Speaking of the story, it was convoluted and hard to follow, with poorly developed characters and a lack of clear direction. The whole movie felt like a random mishmash of ideas thrown together without much thought or care. I would not recommend this film to anyone.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was really hoping for a magical and enchanting experience with "Taron and the magic cauldron," but sadly, it didn't deliver. The plot felt disjointed and rushed, with significant gaps in character development and world-building. The animation, while colorful, lacked depth and detail, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. Overall, I found it to be a mediocre and forgettable film that failed to capture my imagination.