Tag: Andy Samberg

ZOOTOPIA 2 – Review

What’s this? Or maybe I should say, “What’s gnu?”. We’re almost at the end of the year, and we’ve got a flick that hits the usual Summer “sweet spot” twice. Yes, this is an animated feature, and it’s a sequel, though it’s been nine (!) years since the original opened, time enough for a whole new “moviegoer generation” (back before home video, Disney would re-release their classics every seven years, as a kind of “turn-over”). And much like the return of THE BAD GUYS, we’re back in a world without humans, just cute (mostly) adorable animals. And at the heart of the story is a most unlikely, very odd couple. Oh, and now they’re both “on the force”, so it’s “buddy cop” movie, too. The “Mouse House” hopes that everyone will want to join them on their new “case” in ZOOTOPIA 2.


After a brief flashback back to the finale of the original, we’re soon return to the wild streets of “Tundra Town” in Zootopia with Det. Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) and her partner Det. Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman). Somehow the bust of a smuggling ring goes, well,”bust” as the bunny and fox end up destroying the statue of the beloved creator of the “Weather Wall” (which generates vastly different climates with the city, that allows the various mammals to co-exist). Of course, they’re reprimanded by their boss, Chief Bogo (Idris Elba) and taken off patrol duty (riding a desk). But does this stop the ever-upbeat and curious Hopps? No, she spots a logo on footage of the smuggler’s van that connects it to a big fancy museum gala that will showcase the original design book of that Weather Wall with the offspring of the inventor, the wealthy and powerful Lynxley family in attendance. Hopps and Wilde don disguises and sneak in. But just as Hopps has a friendly meet up with the less-celebrated of those heirs, the bumbling shy Pawbert (Andy Samberg), someone cuts the lights and the treasured book is snatched. The police duo corner the thief, who is revealed to be a pit viper named Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan). How can this be? Reptiles were banished from Zootopia years ago. When Gary escapes, Hopps and Wilde must use all their sleuthing skills to learn the true origins of their home, before sinister forces destroy it.


Wisely the producers have assembled a stellar vocal cast mixing the usual celebrity “star” roster with a few cartoon voice vets like Maurice LaMarche (forever “The Brain”), Bob Bergen, and Debra Monk. Since he’s been so prolific “behind the mike” we could add Patrick Warburton, who is quite funny as actor turned politico Mayor Windancer ( love how he constantly whips his mane), along with Alan Tudyk (the studio’s “good luck charm”) as several supporting characters. As for the “big names”, Goodwin and Bateman are still are a terrific pairing as Hopps and Wilde with her sprite-like sunny energy and his laid-back cool. Ditto for Elba’s intimidating, “bass-heavy” Bogo. A few of the “newbies” really shine. Quan gives the slithery Gary a real sweetness as he tries to toss away his species’ “bad rep”. Samberg conveys a needy, goofy quality as Pawbert. As his father Milton Linxley, David Strathairn, is quite effective as the impossible to please tyrant of a papa. Another big addition comes from the world of stand-up as comic Fortune Feimster puts an energetic, frantic spin on the conspiracy-lovin’ podcast-hostin’ beaver, Nibbles Maplestick.

The directing team of Jared Bush (who doubles as screenwriter) and Byron Howard return to ensure the same excellent artistry of the original. This film will benefit from multiple viewings, since it’s almost impossible to consume all of the “eye candy” that fills nearly every frame with witty visual puns and bombastic sight gags. Everywhere, there’s a pun-filled sign or an interestingly garbed animal engaging in a wacky bit of business. Of course, the latter begins with the superb character design, ranging from towering elephants and rhinos to the diminutive mice and moles. The artisans really had a “field day” with Gary whose elastic coiling torso balances an almost angelic face (even with the fangs). But then all of the physical acting (such emotive gestures) are top-notch. Michael Giacchino contributes a score nearly as light and bouncy as his work on the Fantastic Four flick. Critter-loving kiddies should be in “hog heaven” as they ID the astounding variety on screen, though the too-convoluted conspiracy plot line (almost a stumper for Benoit Blanc) may leave them lost in the various twists and turns (simple’s always better, along with a slightly-shorter runtime). Otherwise, this is a superior bit of family entertainment, ZOOTOPIA 2 is a nice extra dessert (along with that pumpkin pie) for this Thanksgiving.

3 Out of 4

ZOOTOPIA 2 arrives in theatres everywhere on Wednesday, November 26, 2025

THE ROSES – Review

Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman in THE ROSES. Photo by Jaap Buitendijk, Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2025 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.

If you are going to remake a movie, the dark comedy THE ROSES is the way to do it. The dark comedy THE ROSES proves that there is a right way to do a remake, telling the same story but in a refreshingly different way. With biting British-style humor, Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman are the perfect couple, battling or not, in this love story gone wrong.

Based on the novel, “The War of the Roses,” the original 1989 comedy/thriller of the same name starred Michael Douglas and Kathlees Turner as a successful American couple whose marriage turns sour, and then some. In that version, the romance was pretty conventional but sparks flew and the dark comedy came to the fore once the battle was on. In this one, Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman play a quirky British couple relocated to the US early on, a pair of snarky, unique individuals with a biting sense of humor. We get more of a sense of their own weird, very British humor, and creative natures, with more humor and quirky romance before they head for divorce and a showdown over the house like the original.

Centered on a couple of creatives who share that same sense of stinging humor means comedy is at the forefront from the start, not just when the battle begins. Humor is a very personal thing, individual tastes vary, and styles of humor differ culture to culture. With this couple being British, it also means that one has to have an appreciation for British humor, if not an outright love of it. The humor style is very British, although it is fully accessible American audiences, and not loaded with unfamiliar British references. The fact that these two unique individuals are so creative and off-kilter means not everyone gets them, so meeting and falling for someone who truly does get them gives this marriage something extra, with a lot more romantic spark between them.

Although the film is set in the US, the style of humor is tongue-in-cheek, snarky British. The audience gets a quick preview of the couple’s style of humor (and the film’s) in an opening scene where they are getting couple’s counseling with an American therapist. The therapist has given them an assignment to write down ten things they like about the other but these snarky souls can’t help themselves, and the “ten things I like about you” go from back-handed to pure snark. After Ivy reads her list, Theo bursts out laughing, and they laughingly trade more insults, while the therapist looks on in horror. “It’s called repartee,” Theo says, rolling his eyes. The Brits think this verbal sparring is hilarious and normal, but the American therapist recoils and ends the session. If your reaction to that scene is more like the therapist’s, you might not find this film as hilarious as I did.

The humor is snarky but less dark that the original film, although these creative people know how to bring the crazy to the fight too. Because these two are so unfiltered and satiric, they (and we) know they are the kind of couple who are made for each other, and no one else will really do. That doesn’t mean that they don’t know how to fight. Strong-willed, neither wants to lose an argument, and with two such sharp-tongued people, there are bound to be sparks and spats, even if underneath they love each and know no one else will ever get them like the other does.

THE ROSES has one the best meet-cutes ever, when architect Theo (Benedict Cumberbatch) becomes frustrated during a company meeting in a restaurant and storms away from the group – and into the kitchen. There he comes face to face with chef Ivy (Olivia Colman). The two trade quips, then their dreams, lock eyes, and fall in love. Cumberbatch and Colman do this beautifully, fully believable, romantic and charmingly funny. It’s like watching classic screwball comedy, the kind that starred Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn, but with the personalities reversed.

Like in the original comedy, Theo and Ivy are financially successful couple but we get to see a lot more up-and-down of how they got there, which makes for a more interesting story. From the London meet-cute, we flash forward to the married couple living in California, in a modest house near a beach. Now with two kids, Ivy stays home to care the the kids, making fabulous meals for the family, while Theo pursues his architectural career. Worried that Ivy is feeling a bit unfulfilled, as her culinary efforts for the kids are getting more and more elaborate, Theo encourages her to open a little seafood restaurant in an old building nearby. She does, naming it, in her own style, “We’ve Got Crabs.” The crab shack draws only a handful of customers on the three days a week it is open (“Is it the name?” Theo wonders aloud, tongue-in-cheek), but Ivy is fine with that.

Two things happen to upset the dynamic in the marriage: a traumatic fail for Theo as he unveils a grand new building and Ivy’s crab shack getting a glowing review from a big city food critic. Suddenly the economic situation flips, as Theo, suddenly unemployed, decides to stay home with the kids while regrouping while Ivy concentrates on her suddenly successful restaurant. It’s supposed to be temporary, while Theo rebuilds his reputation and Ivy seizes an opportunity.

That shift provides the spark that leads to other changes, then conflict and resentments. The more money they have, thanks to Ivy’s widening success, the more tensions the couple have, as they are pulled in different directions. With two creative, competitive, sharp-tongued characters, sooner or later things will blow up.

Colman and Cumberbatch are absolutely marvelous in this film, with spot-on perfect verbal sparring and charmingly quirky romance. The characters are so alike, which is part of their problem, so compromise is hard. Director Jay Roach paces this growing battle perfectly, with more back-and-forth, on-and-off romance than the original, making the battle of the Roses feels fresh rather than like a retread. The humor is distinctly British and sharp, delivered by two of the most skilled professionals alive, making it both hilarious and a joy to watch. Jay Roach backs all that comic gold up with a perfect supporting cast, including Kate McKinnon and Andy Samburg, who are wonderful as the couple’s American best friends.

Writer Tony McNamara takes full advantage of the Brits in America situation, with plenty of fish-out-of-water, culture-clash humor and a bit of social commentary, especially in a hilarious scene at a shooting range.

Visually, the film is a delight as well. The film is beautifully shot by Florian Hoffmeister, highlighting the lovely California scenery, and appropriately showcasing the architecture. THE ROSES has some of the most tempting food photography I’ve seen, with one gorgeous plate or sculpted dessert after another. Another wow are the costumes Olivia Colman sports throughout, emphasizing her creative and unconventional spirit, so that one looks forward to seeing what creative outfit her Ivy will don in the next scene.

With the caveat that British humor isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, for those who enjoy that style of comedy,

THE ROSES is that rarest thing, a romantic comedy that is just an excellent film, and which hearkens back to the classic Hollywood era when romantic comedies were the best comedies. THE ROSES is the whole package, a dark romantic comedy that has plenty of comedy and romance before the mayhem begins, with a brilliantly matched lead couple, Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, a perfectly-paced script with nearly non-stop laughs but lots of heart, wonderful supporting cast, gorgeous visuals, delightful costumes, and a perfect finish. It’s a film worth seeing more than once to laugh again, and proves that sometimes it is worth remaking a film. It also leads one to hope for more pairings between Cumberbatch and Colman.

THE ROSES opens in theaters on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.

RATING: 4 out of 4 stars

CHIP ‘N DALE: RESCUE RANGERS – Review

(L-R): Dale (voiced by Andy Samberg) and Chip (voiced by John Mulaney) in Disney’s live-action CHIP ‘N DALE: RESCUE RANGERS, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Disney Enterprises, Inc. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

School’s almost out for the Summer! Who’s up for a trip? Or at least one through one of your favorite streaming services? Yes, the suitcase can remain in the back of the closet for a bit. But what’s the destination for this virtual excursion.? Well, for many of us, this new film is a nostalgic journey back in time, though it is set in the modern-day. A little over 30 years ago, before most kids’ cartoons were shuttled off to basic cable channels and eventually streaming apps, broadcast TV animation was in the midst of a creative (and ratings) explosion. Yes, Saturday mornings were still hanging on, but the place to be was the late afternoon, from around 3 PM (Central) to 5, as first-run syndicated television entertained kids just home from a hard day at school. And things got really interesting when the biggest of the studios, Disney, arrived on the scene in 1988 to build the “cartoon block” that would eventually be known as the “Disney Afternoon”, Following the smash “Duck Tales” another duo, who had debuted on the big screen in 1943, made the TV plunge with stories of adventure and friendship. And now this new feature tells us of the current exploits of CHIP ‘N DALE: RESCUE RANGERS. And if you want to break out the post-school snacks, well go right ahead…


So it’s 2022, but we’re not in their TV show world. It’s the real world now, though animated actors co-exist with flesh-and-blood human beings. Dale (voiced by Andy Samberg) takes us down memory lane, to his first grade-school exchange with future show-biz partner Chip (John Mulaney), through bit parts until they became huge stars in the early 1990s with their hit TV show. But it couldn’t last. When Dale gets an offer for his own action spy show, the two split. Chip is now a top seller at an insurance company that trudges home to his regular-sized dog in their suburban ranch-style home. Ah but Dale is still reaching for the “brass ring”, having gotten “CGI surgery”, so he looks more “3-D textured”, he goes on auditions, sets up at “autograph shows” and even joins the Chippendale dancers for “side gigs”, Then a desperate call from their former co-star Monterey Jack (Eric Bana) brings them back together. Turns out MJ is hooked on the “hard stuff”, really “stinky” cheese, and he’s in over his head. When henchmen from “Sweet Pete” grab him, Chip ‘N Dale joins the police to find their ole pal. The ‘toon in charge, Captain Putty (J.K. Simmons) offers little hope (seems a lot of “second-string’ cartoons have vanished), but an eager new policewoman, Ellie (played by human KiKi Lyne) wants to help the boys. Can she really protect Chip ‘N Dale when their search for clues sends them to the seedier sidestreets of the animated underground of “Tinsel-town”, or could the re-united Rescue Rangers get “erased”?

Well, as you may have surmised so far, the highest recommendation I can give to animation fans is that this is the closest we’ll probably (never say never) come to the WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT sequel we’ve been clamoring for over the last five decades. The story seems to be set in that same universe (maybe a cameo), but things have changed as the ‘toons are no longer “second class citizens” regulated to living in “Toon Town” when not working at the movie studio or in nightclubs. In the opening scenes, we see them with the human students, though with chairs that match their “scale” (love that Chip lives in a shoe-box-sized “ranch house in between two regular-sized suburban homes, while MJ’s condo complex is about five feet tall). Oh, and it’s not just classic (2D)characters along with CGI critters. As you might guess Captain Putty is a clay stop-motion creation (many think of the Raisins or Wallace & Gromit, while I think his roots are in Gumby), plus there are “superhero” style folks, video game avatars, and even some puppets. It’s a wondrous world you’ll be sad to leave thanks in part to the great voice actors enlisted to inhabit these roles. Mulaney conveys just the right amount of wiseguy snark as Chip that plays well against the eager but dimwitted Dale perfectly voiced by Samberg. A special mention should be made of the bad guys, namely a CGI polar bear rockin’ a holiday sweater vest (hmm) and Seth Rogen who’s a hoot as a badly rendered motion-capture Viking dwarf from a twenty-year-old or so video game (“Yes, I’m looking right at you!”). He’s perhaps the best “insider joke” in a setting full of intentionally “off” computer creations (complete with a nod to a holiday classic). Oh, and like WFRR you’ll want to hover over the pause button to catch all the wonderful cameos and the “knock-offs”. Ah, that’s another great joke as the story explains the cheapo “rip-offs” (called “bootlegs here) that populated the bargain bins at “dollar only” shops (“The Un-aging Pixie-Boy”, etc.).


Now, it’s high time that I lavish some praise on the very clever screenwriting team of Dan Gregor and Doug Hand for somehow delivering a warm nostalgic homage to a beloved show and its fans that’s also a skewering of Hollywood story cliches and the animation industry itself. Like much of the best cartoons, adults may be laughing harder and longer at the satiric barbs than the kids who may only want to see the cute critters. Of course, all this wit wouldn’t work without the top-notch direction of Akiva Schaffer (one of Sandberg’s “Lonely Island” pals), who keeps the story rolling on while knowing went to slow things a tad for the two leads to mend their tattered friendship. And it truly soars thanks to the army of craftspeople who make us believe in this modern fable, from the puppeteers who allow the ‘toons to move real items to those who build the sets to many different scales, to those animators at the computer and those at the “desk/lightbox” who “sweated” every detail (the airbrush-style shadows of WFRR aren’t here, but they even recreate the scratchy early 60s “copy-machine” outline for some of the extras). Though I wasn’t a fan of the original series (I dug the later shows, “The Shnookums & Meat Funny Cartoon Show” and Disney’s only action/adventure offering, “Gargoyles”), I found this “comeback” (as the poster says, “Not a reboot”) surprisingly entertaining and even a tad touching. If you’re in need of someone to save you from the family flick doldrums, then call on (or download) CHIP ‘N DALE: RESCUE RANGERS. Sorry (um, not sorry) Alvin, Simon, and Theodore!

3.5 out of 4

CHIP ‘N DALE: RESCUE RANGERS streams exclusively on Disney+ beginning on Friday, May 20, 2022

Check Out The Johnny Monster Bus From Prime Video’s HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: TRANSFORMANIA With Selena Gomez And Andy Samberg

In celebration of Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, Amazon Studios & Sony Pictures Animation is embarking on an unforgettable cross-country bus tour to bring fans the ultimate Hotel Transylvania experience! The Johnny Monster Bus and Character Tour will be making its way to the cites below, with giveaways, character meet and greets, and more! 
 
Hotel Transylvania: Transformania is the latest and final chapter of the Hotel Transylvania film series, which will be available to stream exclusively on Prime Video globally beginning January 14, 2022. 

Watch here: https://www.amazon.com/Hotel-Transylvania-Transformania-Andy-Samberg/dp/B09MZW21N8

Watch Selena Gomez and Andy Samberg now.

11 – 16 January 2022 – Pennsylvania – Philadelphia – Philadelphia Art Museum “Rocky Steps”
13 January 2022 – Texas – Austin – The Hive 
12 – 16 January 2022 – Illinois – Chicago – Millennium Park Promenade 
13 – 16 January 2022 – California – Los Angeles – The Original Farmers Market
14 – 15 January 2022 – Texas – Austin – The Domain
14 – 16 January 2022 – Arizona – Phoenix – Arizona Coyotes Game/Zoolights 
14 – 18 January 2022 – Texas – Houston – Discover Green
15 – 16 January 2022 – Florida – Miami – Brickell City Centre
15 – 16 January 2022 – Massachusetts – Lynnfield – Amazon Books
17 January 2022 – Florida – Miami – MLK Day Parade
17 January 2022 – Massachusetts – Boston – Boston Common Frog Pond 
17 – 18 January 2022 Texas – Houston – Discovery Green
21 January 2022 – Georgia – Atlanta – Atlanta Hawkes Game 
22 January 2022 – Ohio – Cleveland – Cleveland Monsters Family Day

Drac and the Pack are back, like you’ve never seen them before in Hotel Transylvania: Transformania. Reunite with your favorite monsters for an all-new adventure that presents Drac (Brian Hull) with his most terrifying task yet. When Van Helsing’s (Jim Gaffigan) mysterious invention, the ‘Monsterification Ray,’ goes haywire, Drac and his monster pals are all transformed into humans, and Johnny (Andy Samberg) becomes a monster! In their new mismatched bodies, Drac, stripped of his powers, and an exuberant Johnny, loving life as a monster, must team up and race across the globe to find a cure before it’s too late, and before they drive each other crazy. With help from Mavis (Selena Gomez) and the hilariously human Drac Pack, the heat is on to find a way to switch themselves back before their transformations become permanent.

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: TRANSFORMANIA Premieres Exclusively on Amazon Prime Video January 14th

Drac and the Pack are back, like you’ve never seen them before in Hotel Transylvania: Transformania. Reunite with your favorite monsters for an all-new adventure that presents Drac (Brian Hull) with his most terrifying task yet. When Van Helsing’s (Jim Gaffigan) mysterious invention, the ‘Monsterification Ray,’ goes haywire, Drac and his monster pals are all transformed into humans, and Johnny (Andy Samberg) becomes a monster! In their new mismatched bodies, Drac, stripped of his powers, and an exuberant Johnny, loving life as a monster, must team up and race across the globe to find a cure before it’s too late, and before they drive each other crazy. With help from Mavis (Selena Gomez) and the hilariously human Drac Pack, the heat is on to find a way to switch themselves back before their transformations become permanent. The film also features the voices of Kathryn Hahn (Ericka), Steve Buscemi (Wayne), Molly Shannon (Wanda), David Spade (Griffin the Invisible Man), Keegan-Michael Key (Murray), Fran Drescher (Eunice), Brad Abrell (Frank), and Asher Blinkoff (Dennis). 

For the final chapter of the Hotel Transylvania film series, franchise creator Genndy Tartakovsky returns as one of the screenwriters and executive producers. Selena Gomez will also serve as an executive producer, while reprising her role as Drac’s daughter, Mavis, alongside Andy Samberg, returning as Johnny. Directed by Derek Drymon and Jennifer Kluska, the film is produced by Alice Dewey Goldstone and executive produced by Tartakovsky, Michelle Murdocca, and Gomez. The story is by Genndy Tartakovsky with a screenplay by Amos Vernon & Nunzio Randazzo and Genndy Tartakovsky.

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: TRANSFORMANIA stars Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kathryn Hahn, Jim Gaffigan, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, David Spade, Keegan-Michael Key, Brian Hull, Fran Drescher, Brad Abrell, and Asher Blinkoff

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: TRANSFORMANIA First Trailer Is Here And There Are Some MONSTER Changes!

Drac and the pack are back, like you’ve never seen them before in HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: TRANSFORMANIA. Reunite with your favorite monsters for an all-new adventure that presents Drac with his most terrifying task yet.

When Van Helsing’s mysterious invention, the ‘Monsterfication Ray,” goes haywire, Drac and his monster pals are all transformed into humans, and Johnny becomes a monster! In their new mismatched bodies, Drac, stripped of his powers, and an exuberant Johnny, loving life as a monster, must team up and race across the globe to find a cure before it’s too late, and before they drive each other crazy. With help from Mavis and the hilariously human Drac Pack, the heat is on to find a way to switch themselves back before their transformations become permanent.

The voice-cast includes Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kathryn Hahn, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, David Spade, Brian Hull, Asher Blinkoff, Brad Abrell, Fran Drescher, Jim Gaffigan, and Molly Shannon.

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: TRANSFORMANIA will be the final chapter of the successful franchise from Sony Pictures Animation, with the first three installments grossing over $1.3 billion at the global box office. Franchise creator Genndy Tartakovsky returns as screenwriter and executive producer, alongside Michelle Murdocca and Selena Gomez, who will also reprise her role as Dracula’s daughter, Mavis. Directed by Jennifer Kluska and Derek Drymon, and produced by Alice Dewey Goldstone, the film will hit theatres July 23, 2021.

Blobby, Wanda (Molly Shannon), Wayne Steve Buscemi), Griffin the Invisible Man (David Spade), Ericka (Kathryn Hahn), Dracula (Brian Hull), Jonathan (Andy Samberg), Mavis (Selena Gomez), Frank (Brad Abrell), Eunice (Fran Drescher), Murray (Keegan-Michael Key) with Denis and Winnie in Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation’s HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA: TRANSFORMANIA.

Celebrate National Pet Day 2021 With MONSTER PETS: A HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA SHORT

Celebrate National Pet Day 2021 with the new adorable MONSTER PETS: A HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA SHORT.

Drac’s lovable, monster-sized puppy, Tinkles, has more energy than ever and just wants to play ball! Unfortunately, Drac is too busy juggling his duties at the hotel, so he is determined to find a monster pet companion for his huge furry friend. After a series of mismatches, Drac’s plan goes awry when Tinkles chooses a very unlikely companion.

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 4 is heading to theaters this summer!

Drac’s Pack is back, like you’ve never seen them before. Hotel Transylvania: Transformania will be the final chapter of the successful franchise from Sony Pictures Animation, with the first three installments grossing over $1.3 billion at the global box office. Franchise creator Genndy Tartakovsky returns as screenwriter and executive producer, alongside Michelle Murdocca and Selena Gomez, who will also reprise her role as Dracula’s daughter, Mavis.

The cast includes Andy Samberg, Kathryn Hahn, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, David Spade, Brian Hull, Asher Blinkoff, Brad Abrell, Fran Drescher, Jim Gaffigan, Molly Shannon.

Directed by Jennifer Kluska and Derek Drymon, and produced by Alice Dewey Goldstone, the film will hit theatres July 23, 2021.

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: SUMMER VACATION – Review


HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: SUMMER VACATION has fang-tastic movie monster characters, gorgeous animation, and a top-notch voice cast, and though it’s the weakest entry in this franchise so far, it still manages to be just enough fun to recommend. After a 19th century prologue with Dracula (Adam Sandler) battling his nemesis Professor Van Helsing (Jim Gaffigan), Part 3 finds The Count continuing to run his monster Hotel in Transylvania along with his daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez) and her husband Johnny (Andy Samberg). A TV commercial encourages Mavis to surprise her dad with a trip on a luxury cruise liner for monsters that starts at the Bermuda Triangle and ends up in Atlantis, so the whole monster gang packs up for a fun adventure at sea. Complications arise when Dracula feels a “zing” (monster lingo for love at first sight) for the ship’s captain Ericka (Kathryn Hahn), who, unbeknownst to the Count, is the Great Granddaughter of Van Helsing, and is determined to destroy him. This all leads to a big showdown featuring both Van Helsings, a singing Kraken (Joe Jonas), and a DJ battle led by Johnny.

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3 SUMMER VACATION’s screenplay by Michael McCullers and director Genndy Tartakovsky is less sharp than the earlier scripts (which were written by Sandler and Robert Smigoff) though the new film is still chock full of fast-flying gags and non-stop visual puns. Tartakovsky clearly admires animators Chuck Jones and Tex Avery, cartoon legends who knew that you could derive just as many chuckles from a goofy walk or a stylized facial expression as you could from a well-delivered “spoken” joke.  But because the new film is set at sea and far away from the titular Hotel, there are less Forry-esque monster puns and gags at hand, which to me was the basic appeal of this series. There are also at least three musical numbers, which is about two too many. The familiar characters all work well enough; Mel Brooks is back as Drac’s dad, playing him as a cross between Lugosi and a Jewish grandpa.  Steve Buscemi and Molly Shannon as Wayne the Wolfman and his wife have the funniest subplot as they drop off their brood of dozens of offspring at the ship’s daycare and are unsure what to do with the time they have for themselves. David Spade returns as an invisible man who still gets big laughs pretending to have an invisible girlfriend. Andy Samberg plays Mavis’ slacker husband well, and I’ll admit Adam Sandler makes for a great Dracula.  Aside from The Kracken, the only new characters are an odd school of fish that staff the cruise ship, and they are milked for a lot of bizarre, deadpan laughs. It’s never dull and while I wish it would have focused more on monster mayhem,  HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: SUMMER VACATION works as worthy material for parents to distract their kids with.

3 of 5 Stars

 

 

 

STORKS – Review

STORKS

STORKS takes the old myth of storks delivering babies as a starting point for an animated action/adventure comedy, where the storks have gone corporate and gotten out of the baby delivery business. Now, storks deliver merchandise for Cornerstore.com, a giant Amazon-like internet retailer, because now there are so many options if you want a baby. Or at least they thought they were out of the baby business, until a little boy uses an old form to place an order for a baby brother- an order that would never have been filled except for a glitch in the system that activates the long-shuttered Baby Factory.

A baby is in no way part of the company’s new business model, so an ambitious, efficient stork named Junior (Andy Samberg), who is in line to become the next CEO, has to deal with the problem – and quickly, before his boss Hunter (Kelsey Grammer) finds out about it and puts an end to Junior’s career. Part of the “glitch” is the storks’ sole human employee, Tulip (Katie Crown). Cheerful but klutzy 18-year-old Tulip grew up in the factory after her stork botched the delivery, but she has a knack for botching things up, particularly with her numerous untried inventions. Hunter had asked Junior to lay her off but ambitious Junior is also basically a nice guy, and it is while he is gingerly trying to handle that situation that the baby glitch happens.

The easiest way to solve the problem is to delivery the baby, but with an injured wing, Junior is forced to accept Tulip’s help to do that. Sure, they are on an island called Stork Mountain in the middle of the ocean, but what (else) could go wrong?

Fast and clever, STORKS will have the whole family laughing but anyone expecting realism from a movie about birds who used to deliver babies needs to chuck that thought. This funny action/adventure tale (*ahem*) delivers the fun, and at a non-stop action pace. Although it has its warm moments, the focus is really on the comedy, and with less than an hour and a half running time (100 minutes with the pre-feature LEGO short), there is little chance of little ones getting bored.

One cannot resist a little punning about this movie. And the film itself misses no chance for comedy, either high or low, while maintaining a good heart and appropriate tastefulness for a family film. Co-director/writer Nicholas Stoller already has some experience making the grown-ups laugh, with his previous films NEIGHBORS and FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL, and co-director Doug Sweetland has the animation handled, with his experience on TOY STORY, FINDING NEMO and CARS. The creative team also includes a few from the LEGO MOVIE, and the feature film even has a Lego short shown before it. STORKS is not only funny and breathlessly entertaining but looks good too.

Like many kids’ films, this is basically a buddy movie, with mismatched companions on a quest. In this case, the companions are the efficient executive Junior and the slightly klutzy wannabe inventor girl Tulip. Making things tougher for them are a stool-pigeon employee named Pigeon Toady (Stephen Kramer Glickman), his steely-eyed boss Hunter, a bunch of evil penguin thugs, and a super-skilled wolf pack led by Alpha Wolf (Keegan-Michael Key) and Beta Wolf (Jordan Peele). Besides, the buddy theme, the story has another thread – a boy named Nate Gardner (Anton Starkman) who wants a brother to keep him company because his parents (Jennifer Aniston and Ty Burrell) are too wrapped up in their real estate business to pay any attention to him. And of course, part of the glitch with this unauthorized baby is that she is not the requested boy but a girl – a baby girl so adorable she conquers all who look at her, melting them into endless “aawws.”

The film is packed with jokes, both kid-friendly slapstick and visual comedy, and slyly clever wordplay and in-jokes for parents. The script is one of the movie’s strength, from a writer coming from a live-action comedy background, but the animation is terrific too, with some great action sequences and jaw-dropping perspectives. The characters are likable but also more believable than you expect, and the strong female character is a plus. Tulip is as chipper as can be but she’s also resourceful, inventive and relentless, often buoying the spirits of efficient business-oriented Junior, who thought he was the tops in getting things done.

This comedy story uses every tool – the adorable little baby girl exerts her power, whether reducing adults to baby-talking fools or running them ragged trying to get her to sleep. There is a very clever scene, a running theme really, built around the troubles birds have with glass windows.

All the cast are good, but Key and Peele are particularly hilarious as wolves who fall under the baby’s spell, and lose all perspective on what they are doing. Using humor, the film taps into truths about parenting, bonding, balancing career and family, and even about modern commerce – all without losing a single laugh. Grammer is excellent as CEO Hunter but the standout is Glickman as the socially-awkward Pigeon Toady, both toadying to the boss and at the same time, trying to win the acceptance of his co-workers. Samberg and Crown make a winning pair as Junior and Tulip, as do Aniston and Burrell as the parents who finally figure it out.

STORKS is pure fun, a delight start to finish. It might not be original enough to be an Oscar contender but STORKS surely is one funny family film, one with a lighter touch but still hitting home with some warm truths about both family and friendship.

RATING: 4 OUT OF 5 STARS

STORKS opens in theaters September 23

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Win A Family Four Pack Of Passes To The Advance Screening Of STORKS In St. Louis

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Get ready to bring the whole flock to the advance screening of STORKS!

Storks deliver babies…or at least they used to. Now they deliver packages for global internet giant Cornerstore. Starring Andy Samberg, Jennifer Aniston, Kelsey Grammar, Ty Burrell, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Danny Trejo, Stephen Kramer Glickman and Katie Crown, and from the studio that delivered THE LEGO MOVIE, see STORKS in theaters September 23!

WAMG invites you to enter for the chance to win FOUR (4) seats to the advance screening of STORKS on September 17 at 10AM in the St. Louis area.

TO ENTER, ADD YOUR NAME AND EMAIL IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. YOU MUST BE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA THE DAY OF THE SCREENING.

2. No purchase necessary. A pass does not guarantee a seat at a screening. Seating is on a first-come, first served basis. The theater is overbooked to assure a full house. The theater is not responsible for overbooking.

Rated PG or mild action and some thematic elements.

http://www.storksmovie.com/

STORKS