Trailers appear in this article for Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning. ” Good evening, Jim. If you decide to accept it, it is your mission.” These words would mark the start of some Mission: Impossible episodes. They were addressed to Jim Phelps, one of the show’s two main protagonists, alongside]… ]
The article Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning: Shea Whigham’s Character Is a Overlooked Opportunity appeared first on Den of Geek.
It was a significant step forward in terms of what a grand scale in-person entertainment experience can be when Universal Epic Universe opened in Orlando, Florida, next week. It was not only the second major concept area to debut in the United States in 24 years. Spanning five new “lands” across 750 acres — the Universal Monsters ‘ themed Dark Universe, Super Nintendo World, How To Teach Your Dragon — Isle of Berk, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic, and the Celestial Park access point — this isn’t just a big garden, it lives up to its title of amazing with its level of immersion, interactivity, and indeed, rides.  ,
For perspective, I grew up a theme park person in Orlando. Raised very much in the darkness of Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World, I remember being a boy in 1990 seeing vision popping billboards of Ghostbusters, King Kong, and E. T. promising the appearance of Universal Studios Florida where guests were invited to not only drive the movies, but to survive them. I have covered the creation and opening of new attractions over the years as a theme park kid and theme park professional.
I’ve always pursued the idea of living the movies, in addition to pursuing the newest advancement in rollercoasters or 3D technology. Even as I grew older, I craved the ability to play pretend, and disappear for a stretch within these worlds of make-believe.
Of all the experiences I’ve had so far, Epic comes the closest to accomplishing this. After attending the media preview and grand opening celebration, logging about 20 hours in the park —, riding every attraction, meeting-and-greeting as many characters as possible, trying all the food and drinks, and spending about a week processing the experience—here are a few arenas where Epic Universe has taken the crown on the American theme park scene.
Revamped Worldbuilding
What converts a lapsed visitor to a devoted devotee who never quite has enough to enjoy the theme park? It’s the experience beyond the attractions alone, and the dedication to worldbuilding.  ,
For instance, I love going to Walt Disney World, even though I’ve been a thousand times, and I’m content just to walk around, grab a drink and bite, and soak it all in. I am a roller coaster and attraction nut, but what keeps me engaged is the overall energy of the place.  ,
Disney has, for me, traditionally been more of the theme park destination where I can show up and enjoy a day regardless of wait times for attractions. Disney has just felt nicer and more fully realized, to be honest. Whereas Universal Orlando, encompassing the parks Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, has been the place I go to, rather than hang around at. It has always been the spot for great thrill rides, but I’ve never really wanted to “live” there.
When The Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter lands first appeared, first at Islands in 2010, and then at Studios in 2014, there was a glimmer of hope. It was close to the idea of a theme park world where I could lose myself in a story. However, it wasn’t quite there.  ,
As a response to the challenge thrown down by Wizarding World, Disney promised immersiveness at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in both Walt Disney World, and Disneyland.  ,
The experiment started strong, with cast members dedicated to greetings of” Bright Suns”!, the rowdy vibe within Oga’s Cantina, the in-world merchandise. Things have gotten a little drier over time. These days, the bartenders aren’t even allowed to cheer to the” Una Duey Dee” drinking song, and the” story” of Blackspire Outpost on the planet of Batuu has been all but abandoned. It has remained my favorite themed land, but some of the magic is gone. ( My two days aboard the tragically short-lived Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel are the best example of this so far. ) RIP. )
The stakes have now been raised by Epic Universe.  ,
There is electricity in the air at Epic, or perhaps more appropriately: It’s alive.  ,
From the moment I passed through each of the land’s elaborate portals, everything on the other side ( and in the rest of the theme park ) seemed to fade away. They all struck me as independent with their own special vibe.
I thought I had gotten into an eerie old monster movie with Danny Elfman’s soundtrack within Dark Universe. In Super Nintendo World, I was surrounded by colors and the sensation of being sucked Jumanji-style into a video game. Then I traveled through time to a magical world in Paris in the 1920s. My colleague summed up Isle of Berk best by saying it was like they were dropped into someone’s vibrant D&, D campaign.
There seems to be a new level of world building on display, and assuming it’s kept up, Epic commits to the bit of a lively universe and exciting playground.  ,
Character Interactions
Dark Universe
The exceptional level of character interactivity within these lands adds such an unquantifiable amount of fun, and repeatability, to Epic. And the figures I encountered weren’t just posing for a photo or walking by, but pausing to actively engage.
I had a number of lengthy conversations with the Invisible Man, Ygor, a few monster-hunting Hounds, and a mysterious violin player in Dark Universe. You can also meet Frankenstein’s Monster and the Bride. ( An updated, cohesive canon at Dark Universe states that this Frank is not the original, and that the Bride is more his friend. ) But I digress. )  ,
These characters gave hints about the mysteries of the Darkmoor, the village setting, and the back-and-forth was jaw-dropping. They were also quick-witted, funny, and importantly, never broke character. Griffin the Invisible Man will eat up all of his praise when you talk to him. But if you act snarky, or get demanding, he might become snappy, or ask if you’re done requesting him to perform. He even dismissed me at one point for cracking too many invisible puns.  ,
Meanwhile, one of the Hounds I encountered was Gregor the Guardian. He told me about killing a werewolf at the Burning Blade Tavern, which was hilarious. He told me about how monster-hunting has terrible benefits, unless the rest of the hunting party doesn’t survive, and he didn’t need to split the reward. Next he showed off his facial battle scars from a monster attack, and I showed him my own — caused when Mary Ellen Moffit broke my heart. He also expressed concern that my coworker was wearing a werewolf hat/mask until I dissected his suspicions that she was secretly. Actually, every experience I had at the Burning Blade was phenomenal. I just didn’t want to leave it because it is a lived-in tavern with monster trophies and old battle pictures of supernatural forces. Truly, next time I visit, I’ll be spending two hours here just hanging out.
Then there’s Ygor, the true heart of Dark Universe ( though Frankenstein’s Monster might be the abby-normal brain of the place ). I ran into Victoria Frankenstein’s assistant after my transformation at the Monster Makeup Experience, where he inquired about the artist who had performed my monster stitches. He suggested he could have done better with less obvious wounds. He then launched himself into the bushes because it appeared a branch was attempting to attack my cameraperson. Ygor is not only the heart of Dark Universe, he might be a burgeoning rockstar based on the social media love he’s been generating.  ,
Ministry of Magic
The aurors ( a. k. a. wizard cops ) at the Ministry of Magic, set in 1920s Paris during the Fantastic Beasts films, are similarly a treat to speak with as they look for shady characters up to magical misdeeds. Jazz musicians parade through the streets in style with a cuddly, interactive puffskein creature. A trio of students — from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and exchange students from Hogwarts and Ilvermorny Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry — carry the Monster Book of Monsters. Ask the right questions, and they might let you take a peek inside it. The ability to interact with talking portraits personally is the coolest new interaction in the Ministry of Magic, which is a first for any of the Wizarding Worlds.
Plus, aspiring sorcerers can test out their spellcasting, using an interactive Wizarding World wand — and they can pick up a new one at wandmaker’s Cosme Acajor rather fancy Baguettes Magique — to discover magical mysteries and even stir up activity with fantastic beasts, like a thieving niffler.  ,
Isle of Berk
Over at Isle of Berk, guests might be teased and roasted by the snotty viking characters Ruffnut and Tuffnut, and can pick up some Dragon-training history by Gobber the Belch. However, the entire land is covered in literal dragons. These are not only of the animatronic variety, but interactive, robotic dragons. Two tiny dragon pups, in reality Boston Dynamics ‘ robo-dogs transformed into the fantastical creatures, are present, as well as a chance to meet and greet with a huge Toothless.
The lines to meet the famous Dragon were long, but worthwhile because guests can approach him, slowly, and allow him to have a sniff before they are allowed to pet and scritch the cuddly guy as he purrs. It is a joy-inducing encounter where you don’t even question the special effects behind the moment — because you’re friggin’ petting a dragon!
Easter Eggs, Secrets, and Details Galore
Beyond the character interactions, what lends to Epic’s immersiveness is the attention to detail.  ,
Although it is present in Super Nintendo World, where I felt lost within a video game, this is especially true for Dark Universe, Berk, and Potter. In Dark Universe, there are endless nods to the Universal Monster movies. Within his descendants ‘ Scientific Oddities store, where homunculi hide in the rafters, is a portrait of the mad scientist Dr. Pretorius. Footprints on the ground document the horrifying change from man into werewolf.  ,
There’s even graveyard statues that pay homage to the monster films, including one honoring the little girl Maria — killed by Frankenstein’s creation in the 1931 movie. And there’s an emerging trend to leave a flower at her grave. The fact that Creative Director Brandon Kleyla discovered the statue himself and that he had always hoped visitors would bring flowers to the park highlights how passionate other fans have been about the creation of this park.
Along with the tall, seemingly true-to-scale buildings populating the Parisian landscape in the Ministry of Magic, artwork, shops, and signage all make one feel embedded in this realm while also paying dividends to eagle-eyed fans.  ,
Overall, the intrepid explorer’s curiosity, and patience, is rewarded at every turn in Epic. Pause to listen to an argument between competing voices behind the doors of Dr. H. Jekyll Apotheker at Dark Universe, and one might learn of a secret drink order for the tavern. The Sorcerer’s Stone may be able to be found in the Ministry of Magic ( perhaps in the Le Gobelet Noir ) for those who recall that it was hidden in Paris in the 1920s.  ,
The restaurant options, such as Das Stakehaus, a place where Dracula’s friends live and work alongside vampires who have been killed by vampires and have no connection to garlic, are also a part of the theming.  ,
Even Epic’s lavatories are something to behold. Themes of Super Nintendo World include plumber pipes, underwater music, and music, Isle of Berk has artistic viking murals, Ministry of Magic has vintage-inspired decor, and” toiletten” in Dark Universe has gothic-inspired interiors with black toilets, moody lighting, and a lack of mirrors ( because Dracula doesn’t need to be outed as a vampire while counting to number two ), and is gothic-inspired inside with black toilets, dark lighting, and
The Rides
Monsters Unchained
With 11 rides throughout Epic, there’s plenty of thrills to occupy two days of a visit. But the highlight is, without a doubt, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment in the Dark Universe land.  ,
The storyline of Monsters Unchained revolves around Dr. Victoria Frankenstein, the great-great-granddaughter of Henry. We learn more about the story in a pre-show as we encounter a Victoria animatronic with a towering ( and walking? ) face. Frankenstein’s Monster animatronic — , which is a groundbreaking piece of tech.  ,  ,
Although she’s our protagonist, Victoria sounds a little unhinged because she claims to have learned how to control, capture, and even tame the Universal Classic Monsters. However, that Frankenstein family obsession runs in her blood. Or so she thinks. While her research into the original monster Frank succeeds, the new version comes off as tame and friendly, but her hubris takes hold as she tries to do the same with Wolfman, Mummy, Creature from the Black Lagoon, and monster boss Dracula, and his brides. Drac escapes and unleashes the other baddies. As all hell breaks loose, Victoria, Frank, and assistant Ygor attempt to stop the rampage. And when the experiment turns horribly wrong, the visitor to Darkmoor is unfortunate enough to be a willing participant in it.  ,
As one enters Frankenstein Manor’s catacombs, descend through its grand staircase lined with large statues, and the queue of Monsters is full of Easter eggs. There are call outs to the original Universal Monster films, such as photos of the original Frankenstein and his fiancee Elizabeth ( actors Colin Clive and Mae Clarke from the 1931 film ), or a portrait of Clive-as-Henry opposite the new character Victoria. There’s also an encased body of the original Frankenstein creature that’s scanned by Victoria’s modern-day tech. And we also visit her fireplace den all over the mansion, view boxes of mysterious cargo, and watch found footage of her and her dependable Ygor hunting monsters. There’s also this really cool vampire bat containment unit scene that looks physical despite being a 3D animation. As I delved deeper into the catacombs, which were actually teased at the land’s entrance in the form of a stone structure with a gated entrance, I came across coffins and crypts, teeing up the monsters we’ll encounter, and the atmosphere is unmistakably eerie.
The best part of this dark ride is getting up-close-and-personal encounters with updated designs of the classic monsters ( including appearances by Lon Chaney-era Phantom of the Opera and the Hunchback of Notre Dame ). The attraction utilizes a variety of effects, including incredible audio-animatronics, practical sets, and animated action sequences as the rider is propelled on a KUKA coaster arm. The ride on Monsters is unobstructed, has more motion, and allowed me to feel the Wolfman’s breath while tipped on my back thanks to the arm being attached to the bottom of the vehicle rather than behind, as opposed to, say, the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, which also uses a KUKA arm. Another notable element is the escape of Dracula’s brides. I was blown away by the very cool transition between screen and physical animatronics.  ,
As just an added little note here which made me grin: According to the attraction’s story, Ygor is operating the ride vehicle, called the Catacombs Navigation Unit. When he activates his controls, the car moves more fluidly than it does janky, as if he’s still learning how to drive the thing.  ,
Although the setup is actually creepy, the ride is more of an adventure than a scary one. There were plenty of moments I saw “behind the curtain” and witnessed the mechanical arms on the animatronics in-ride, but it wasn’t a terrible distraction. There is so much happening on Monsters Unchained that it demands repeat rides ( far more than the several times I did it ) in order to take it all in. For all the monster kids out there, it’s a feast of senses.  ,
Battle at the Ministry
Then there is the Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry attraction that zoomed me through London’s Ministry of Magic on an enchanted elevator. Though the land is set in 1920s Paris ( during the Fantastic Beasts films ), this attraction takes place in the 1990s, right after the Harry Potter films. Voldemort lieutenant Dolores Umbridge eludes the trial, prompting Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the house-elf Higgledy to help save the day on the day that her trial is scheduled to begin.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the pre-existing Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley lands at Universal. I didn’t need another Potter-themed attraction, though, to be honest. However, Battle more than delivers. The queue itself is, ironically, worth the wait alone as guests enter the Ministry offices. What struck me as the biggest, tallest, and deepest indoor area at a theme park (yes, even bigger than the Star Destroyer reveal from Rise of the Resistance at Disney ). It would be insulting to say this is like a movie set, rather, it is real, down to the marble tiles, as well as nearly infinite stretching into a sky of realistic clouds. The scope of the entire experience is enormous.  ,
On the actual ride, we zoomed through the labyrinthine depths of the Ministry where a feast of visuals endlessly flashed by. This is a smoother attraction while remaining exciting, making it more visually appealing than the other Potter attractions, Forbidden Journey and Escape from Gringotts at Universal Orlando. The ride elevator — a 14-seater, two-row vehicle with safety belt restraint — , is bumpy, but not in a jarring way, with a few big drops that avoid any intense stomach sensations. And the massive physical sets seamlessly blend with the action on large-scale ( and incredibly vibrant ) screens.  ,
The whole affair is magical. Additionally, I adore the new Higgledy character, and the enormous Erumpent released from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures is an impressive animatronic.
I suspect Battle at the Ministry might be one of the best theme park attractions I’ve yet seen. Although Monsters Unchained is my personal favorite at Epic, this is still stunning, and it’s a study in immersion. My only minor quibble is a nerdy continuity one, as the plot point on how we went from the 1920s to 1990s is a tad wishy-washy. I like a tight story timeline with my themed lands, but I’ll just chalk up the time travel to MetroFloo shenanigans, as well as Time Turners and a Ministry Time Room.
Stardust Racers
While Monsters Unchained was my overall favorite attraction at Epic, the Stardust Racers dueling coasters in Celestial Park may have been my biggest surprise. I wasn’t particularly excited about the central land within the hub-and-spoke layout, which may be because it’s not associated with any classic Universal IP ( even though the ride cars are “powered” by Doc Brown’s flux capacitor ). But Stardust Racers has now earned my top spot for favorite roller coaster ( s ).  ,
The cosmic Celestians have captured two comets, which allows us to ride on them to determine which is faster, according to this one’s story. But the story really doesn’t matter so much because the focus is on the top speed of 62 mph, and the rising, falling (up to 133 feet ), criss-crossing inversions and exhilarating launch of this baby. I’ve taken the green and yellow sides of the attraction a few times, and I can’t say which is better, but I believe the yellow side has a better view. Although the Jurassic Park VelociCoaster at Islands of Adventure might previously be considered the best of the bunch at Universal, Stardust has a stellar edge to it.  ,
Madness in the Mine-Cart
For my second favorite coaster at Epic, I was leaning towards Hiccup’s Wing Gliders at the How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk land. The attraction is an adrenaline rush but not overly intense for the more coaster-wary crowd, on par with Hagrid’s Magical Motorbike Adventure at Islands. I rode four times in a row, and it remains fun, even without flipping or spinning. What struck me as a concern with this one was the restraint, which got increasingly, and uncomfortably tight, throughout the ride. At one point, it turned into straight-up painful. It should be noted that I don’t really have a big frame, and this was not due to the coaster attendants making the restraint too tight ( although that has happened way too frequently in the past ). The operators responded to my request, and they said they had heard the complaint well enough to declare it a known issue.  ,
That aside, I think the real runner-up for best coaster at Epic is Madness in the Mine-Cart at the Donkey Kong Country zone in Super Nintendo World. What makes this coaster so noteworthy is the “boom coaster” technology that allows for the illusion of a vehicle on a track system, while the “real” track is underneath, and the vehicle is attached to a hidden arm on the side.
The result is a fun adventure where I was navigating the Golden Temple to help DK protect the golden banana — all as the mine cart launches, lifts, drops, skims across water, and jumps across seemingly broken tracks. I just couldn’t get enough of this coaster because it’s so much fun. Plus, I love how perfect it is for this particular land as I was able to live within a DK game, but in the real-world.
Final Takeaway
More can be said about Epic Universe than can be adequately covered in one article write-up, and I’ll talk about it in more detail in my Talking Strange show as well as sharing videos from the preview on the Den of Geek social media platforms. But throughout the course of my excursion in Epic Universe, I was witness to something special, and new.  ,
In an era where it’s a challenge to get audiences out the door and into cinemas for the latest blockbuster — because they have a pretty excellent, and customizable, viewing situation at home, with the treats they like, and only chattering loved ones to contend with — a theme park offers a unique experience that can only be fully enjoyed in person. Epic is the way forward. It’s not a success just for theme parks; it’s also a success for entertainment, where a visitor can get lost in a beloved world and interact with characters from those worlds while watching top-notch technology play out right in front of them.  ,
Simply put, it serves up wonder in epic fashion. Or, to paraphrase that old mad scientist Dr. Pretorius from Bride of Frankenstein, welcome to a new world of gods, monsters, wizards, dragons, and Bowser-battling plumbers.
The post Universal Epic Universe: A Giant Leap Forward for Theme Parks appeared first on Den of Geek.
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