Revamped O Canada film debuts at Epcot Center

Canadian Idol's Eva Avila sings Disney World's praises as tourists give star-studded première glowing reviews, Bruce Deachman writes.

AKE BUENA VISTA, Florida - Dreams are coming true left, right and centre at Disney World these days. For one, the new O Canada! film now screening at the Canada Pavilion at Walt Disney World's Epcot Center is getting positive reviews from Canadian and foreign tourists alike.

And Gatineau's Eva Avila, the 2006 Canadian Idol winner, yesterday realized her lifelong dream of performing at Disney World, as she belted out the film's theme song, Canada: You're a Lifetime Journey, for its official launch.

The new 13 1/2-minute film, which features Hamilton-born actor and comedian Martin Short as host and the 20-year-old Ms. Avila, recently replaced a version that had been screening since 1982 and had come under heavy criticism as being out of date and pandering to stereotypes. The updated version, apart from the addition of some light humour from Mr. Short, has added numerous Canadian celebrities -- such as Mike Myers, William Shatner, Joni Mitchell and Avril Lavigne -- and more urban footage than the original 18-minute film.

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"It was an absolute honour and really flattering to be chosen," said Ms. Avila, who hasn't yet seen the film. "Ever since I was a little girl, I was, like, 'I want to sing at Disney World some day'." Ms. Avila recorded the song in Toronto last spring and hopes it will give her the exposure to break into the U.S. market with her new album, slated for release next spring.

"It's crazy to know that so many people are going to hear my voice," Ms. Avila said. "It's my dream to conquer outside of Canada, and Disney World is so awesome -- it's the best place to be. To be able to sing there and represent Canada is really a privilege." Tourists at Epcot were also enthusiastic about the new version. Entering the 360-degree, nine-screen theatre to watch the new film on Thursday, Orlando resident Monique Kiggins admitted that seeing the earlier version was "the closest I've been to Canada." Her recollection of Canada through the older film was the beauty of the scenery, lakes and cities.

"I think there was this one city where the snow covers a road and they do ice skating on it," she recalled. "It was beautiful." Her husband, Wayne, who has visited Toronto and Montreal, saw the old film about five years ago, and remembered little, apart from the outdoors.

Of the new one, "I liked it more because they did the cities -- the urban beauty -- a lot more than in the old one," said Mr. Kiggins.

"Martin Short was very funny," added Mrs. Kiggins, "and I liked the song; I'll have it in my head at least until I get to (the) France (pavilion)." She said she's wanted to visit Canada since she saw the earlier version, and the new one has reinforced that desire. "And now I know it doesn't snow 24/7. Sure, it's hokey at times, but you're in Disney World -- everything in Disney World is a bit hokey. It is what it is." Mr. Kiggins' only complaint about the new one was the lack of much real information about such things as Canadian exports and inventions.

"Like, the CN Tower in Toronto, I believe, is the tallest structure in North America. It would have been nice if they would have said.

source: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/city/story.html?id=8e65e8f9-1371-49f1-a069-c64c40d6731a&k=35547