Opening in theaters on September 29th is PAW PATROL: THE MIGHTY MOVIE.
When a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, it gives the PAW Patrol pups superpowers, transforming them into The MIGHTY PUPS! But things take a turn for the worse when the pups’ arch-rival Humdinger breaks out of jail and teams up with a mad scientist to steal the superpowers for the two villains. With the fate of Adventure City hanging in the balance, the Mighty Pups must stop the supervillains before it’s too late. Based on the Television Series Created by Keith Chapman.
Directed by Cal Brunker, screenplay by Cal Brunker & Bob Barlen with a story from Cal Brunker & Bob Barlen and Shane Morris, the voice cast includes Mckenna Grace, Taraji P. Henson, Marsai Martin, Christian Convery, Ron Pardo, Lil Rel Howery, Kim Kardashian, Chris Rock, Serena Williams, Alan Kim, Brice Gonzalez, North West, Saint West, Christian Corrao, Luxton Handspiker, Nylan Parthipan, Callum Shoniker, with James Marsden, and Kristen Bell, introducing Finn Lee-Epp.
PAW PATROL: THE MIGHTY MOVIE has been rated PG for mild action/peril.
North West as “Mini” and Alan Kim as “Nano” in Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie from Spin Master Entertainment, Nickelodeon Movies, and Paramount Pictures.
Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies and Spin Master Entertainment Present
CAMP, The Family Experience Company, invites you to travel to Adventure City at The PAW Patrol Experience: Only At CAMP.
This immersive adventure, inspired by PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie, produced by Spin Master Entertainment, opens at CAMP’s Columbus Circle location on September 9th to celebrate the film’s release, which lands in theaters nationwide on September 29th, 2023. Limited tickets for CAMP are available today and can be purchased at https://camp.com/the-paw-patrol-experience; families are encouraged to reserve spots while supplies last.
Families will step through CAMP’s Magic Door, this time in the shape of a PAW Patroller vehicle, and explore a 5,500 square-foot world inspired by the new film and created in collaboration with Paramount. PAW Patrol and CAMP fans will have the opportunity to engage with their favorite pups, play out action-packed missions and celebrate the larger-than-life movie:
Train to become a member of The Junior Patrollers!
Search for missing Meteor Crystals
Put out fires just like Marshall
Build a skyscraper (and knock it down) just like Rubble
Put the pedal to the metal on Chase’s Roadway
Soar like Skye on a zipline over Adventure City
Watch special previews of PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie from inside PAW Patrol HQ
Shop PAW Patrol toys from Spin Master and additional products for the home and more.
Families lucky enough to secure tickets on opening day will get a special meet and greet with the PAW Patrol at the end of their adventure.
CAMP is a Family Experience Company that helps answer the question, “What should we do today?” through a unique combination of retail, media, and entertainment. Launched in 2018, CAMP operates eight retail locations in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, and Texas and serves families everywhere via its digital platforms.
A paw-some lineup of recording artists will be featured in the upcoming animated feature film, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie, releasing in theatres on September 29, 2023. New original songs include:
“Learning To Fly” by Grammy Award®-winning artist Christina Aguilera, to be released by RCA Records on September 22nd.
“Down Like That” by Grammy Award®-nominated performer Bryson Tiller, to be released by Trapsoul/RCA Records on September 8th.
“Bark to the Beat” by actor and singer Mckenna Grace, who also lends her voice to the character of Skye in the film, the PAW Patrol’s high-flying pup. “Bark to the Beat” features multi-platinum artist blackbear and will be released by Photo Finish Records on September 15th.
When a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, it gives the PAW Patrol pups superpowers, transforming them into The MIGHTY PUPS! For Skye, the smallest member of the team, her new powers are a dream come true. But things take a turn for the worse when the pups’ archrival Humdinger breaks out of jail and teams up with Victoria Vance, a meteor-obsessed mad scientist, to steal the superpowers and turn themselves into supervillains. With the fate of Adventure City hanging in the balance, the Mighty Pups have to stop the supervillains before it’s too late, and Skye will need to learn that even the smallest pup can make the biggest difference.
Directed by Cal Brunker (The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature and PAW Patrol: The Movie), the voice cast features Mckenna Grace, Taraji P. Henson, Marsai Martin, Christian Convery, Ron Pardo, Lil Rel Howery, Kim Kardashian, Chris Rock, Serena Williams, Alan Kim, Brice Gonzalez, North West, Saint West, Christian Corrao, Luxton Handspiker, Nylan Parthipan, Callum Shoniker, with James Marsden, and Kristen Bell, introducing Finn Lee-Epp. Score is from Pinar Toprak.
Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies and Spin Master Entertainment Present A Spin Master Entertainment Production
Callum Shoniker as “Rocky”, Christian Corrao as “Marshall”, Christian Convery as “Chase”, McKenna Grace as “Skye”, Luxton Handspiker as “Rubble”, Nylan Parthipan as “Zuma”, and Marsai Martin as “Liberty” in Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie from Spin Master Entertainment, Nickelodeon Movies, and Paramount Pictures.
Alert PAW Fans! Paramount Pictures is brightening up your Monday with the first trailer for PAW PATROL: THE MIGHTY MOVIE.
And check out this voice cast for these Mighty Pups. The film features Mckenna Grace, Taraji P. Henson, Marsai Martin, Christian Convery, Ron Pardo, Lil Rel Howery, Kim Kardashian, Chris Rock, Serena Williams, Alan Kim, Brice Gonzalez, North West, Saint West, Christian Corrao, Luxton Handspiker, Nylan Parthipan, Callum Shoniker, with James Marsden, and Kristen Bell, introducing Finn Lee-Epp.
When a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, it gives the PAW Patrol pups superpowers, transforming them into The MIGHTY PUPS! For Skye, the smallest member of the team, her new powers are a dream come true. But things take a turn for the worse when the pups’ archrival Humdinger breaks out of jail and teams up with Victoria Vance, a meteor-obsessed mad scientist, to steal the superpowers and turn themselves into supervillains. With the fate of Adventure City hanging in the balance, the Mighty Pups have to stop the supervillains before it’s too late, and Skye will need to learn that even the smallest pup can make the biggest difference.
Director of PAW Patrol: The Movie (2021), Cal Brunker is back in the director’s chair for the sequel.
The cute story is by Cal Brunker & Bob Barlen and Shane Morris, with a score by composer Pinar Toprak (Captain Marvel, Fortnite, Stargirl).
Based on the Television Series Created by Keith Chapman, look for PAW PATROL: THE MIGHTY MOVIE in theaters on September 29.
North West as “Mini” and Alan Kim as “Nano” in Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie from Spin Master Entertainment, Nickelodeon Movies, and Paramount Pictures.Callum Shoniker as “Rocky”, Christian Corrao as “Marshall”, Christian Convery as “Chase”, McKenna Grace as “Skye”, Luxton Handspiker as “Rubble”, Nylan Parthipan as “Zuma”, and Marsai Martin as “Liberty” in Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie from Spin Master Entertainment, Nickelodeon Movies, and Paramount Pictures.
Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies and Spin Master Entertainment Present
A bold new take on the beloved classic, here’s a first look at the brand new trailer for THE COLOR PURPLE.
Warner Bros. Pictures invites you to experience the extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond in “The Color Purple.” This bold new take on the beloved classic is directed by Blitz Bazawule (“Black Is King,” “The Burial of Kojo”) and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones.
The screenplay is by Marcus Gardley (“Maid,” “The Chi”), based on the novel by Alice Walker and based on the musical stage play, book (of the musical stage play) by Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray.
“The Color Purple” stars Taraji P. Henson (“What Men Want,” “Hidden Figures”), Danielle Brooks (“Peacemaker,” “Orange Is the New Black”), Colman Domingo (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “Fear the Walking Dead”), Corey Hawkins (“In the Heights,” “BlacKkKlansman”), H.E.R. (“Judas and the Black Messiah,” “Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration”), Halle Bailey (“The Little Mermaid,” “Grown-ish”), Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“King Richard,” “If Beale Street Could Talk”), and Fantasia Barrino (in her major motion picture debut).
The executive producers Alice Walker, Rebecca Walker, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Carla Gardini, Mara Jacobs, Adam Fell, Courtenay Valenti, Sheila Walcott and Michael Beugg.
Joining director Bazawule behind the camera are director of photography Dan Laustsen (“John Wick: Chapter 4,” “The Shape of Water”), production designer Paul Denham Austerberry (“The Flash,” “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”) and editor Jon Poll (“Bombshell,” “The Greatest Showman”). The choreographer is Fatima Robinson (“Coming 2 America,” “Dreamgirls”) and the costumes are designed by Francine Jamison-Tanchuck (“Emancipation,” “One Night in Miami…”). The music supervisors are Jordan Carroll (“The Greatest Showman,” “Godfather of Harlem”) and Morgan Rhodes (“Space Jam: A New Legacy,” “Selma”); the music is by Kris Bowers (“King Richard,” “Green Book”); and the executive music producers are Nick Baxter (“Babylon,” “CODA”), Stephen Bray (“Respect,” “Juanita”) and Blitz Bazawule.
Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Harpo Films Production, an Amblin Entertainment Production, a Scott Sanders Production/a QJP Production, “The Color Purple.” It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures and is set to open in theaters in North America on December 25, 2023 and internationally beginning 18 January 2024.
(from left) Kevin, Gru (Steve Carell) and Stuart in Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru, directed by Kyle Balda.
As we enter the “middle Month” of Summer, moviegoers will finally get to see another “franchise flick” that’s been sitting on the shelf for well over two years now, much akin to the high-flying pilots that have dominated the box office. In fact a major fast-food chain offered toys based on the title characters back in June of 2020, though I’m betting those meals were still pretty happy. As you guessed this is an animated feature looking to fill the screens as that Space Ranger blasts away to a streaming service. And this is a most unusual movie for a “tent-pole” picture as it is both a prequel and a sequel…of a spin-off. Yes, it’s another look at the beginning of everybody’s favorite super-villain “wannabe” and the aides that assist him (when they’re not causing chaos) in MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU.
The story does take us back, waaay back to the golden days of 1976, when a major metropolis was under seige by the criminal genius gang known as the “Vicious Six” As the story begins we’re watching the getaway of member Belle Bottom (voice Of Taraji P. Henson), who’s just grabbed a rare map, and is helped by the other members of her team (Jean-Clawed, Stronghold, etc.). Safe at their lair, the leader of the Six, Wild Knuckles (Alan Arkin) lays out the journey to a remote tropical jungle where they will acquire a magical device known as the “Zodiac Stone”. Ah, but the mission doesn’t go as planned. Belle double- crosses Knuckles, snatching away the stone, and dropping him into the murky nearby waters. Meanwhile, pre-teen Gru (Steve Carell) endures grade school so he can get back home and hatch new plots in his secret headquarters under the suburban home he shares with his distracted Mum (Julie Andrews). Oh, that’s where his army of minions also live supervised by the main trio of Kevin, Stuart, and Bob (all voiced by Pierre Coffin). Checking the mailbox, Gru is ecstatic to get a reply letter from the Six (maybe he’ll replace Knuckles). Ah, but upon his arrival, Belle calls him a child and dismisses him, though not before he leaves with the Z Stone. And later he’s kidnapped along with his prize, as his main minions look on in horror. Just who has taken young Gru and the stone? Can the minions catch up to him for a rescue, or will the still fuming Six (now Five, really) get to him first?
I suppose we can consider this fifth flick (2nd Minions after 3 DESPICABLE ME entries) a twelve-year celebration of the series that really put Illumination Studios on the map (and partnered them with Universal). And despite most of the work being “farmed -out” to their European branch, the quality is consistent with their other efforts. Carell is still an engaging riff on the “Cold War” spy flick masterminds and the minions still engage in lots of slapstick coupled with their “baby-talk gibberish”. But it’s starting to wear more than a bit “thin”. Too many “passing gas” gags (!) and bare yellow bottoms, though the very-youngest viewers can’t get enough (for the post-school crowd, we’re filled to the brim). The new voices are a welcome addition with many classic film “baddies” and even action heroes getting brief bits (Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo). Especially welcome is Arkin who appears to be doing a parody of his WAIT UNTIL DARK killer creeper. Henson’s has lots of funky fury,, though the character isn’t given much to do. Parents may appreciate the 70s pop songs and that era’s fads and fashions (flared hair, pet rocks), which are re-created in pastel candy colors. But the entire end product proves that three isn’t always a “magic number” as a trio of directors and writers have the story moving in sluggish spurts with odd detours ( a long subplot of the minions learning martial arts skills from a Michelle Yeoh acupuncturist seems “tacked on” for the overseas Asian markets). Plus it feels as though the producers were “beaten to the punch” as the recent animated caper THE BAD GUYS explored similar themes more vividly while this flick languished on “the shelf”. And it’s odd that one of this film’s biggest laughs comes from the use of a rotary phone ( a red one, not THE BLACK PHONE). And. like many recent animated features, the action set-pieces slow down long enough for the characters to give out a long scream into the audience’s face as their eyes “bug-out’ in fear. The constant use of this “technique’ is exhausting. The “pre-K’ set may still have “giggle-fits” at this yellow “pill-shape” destructive demons, but most animation afficianados will hope that MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU will end its ascent. Of course, another DESPICABLE ME is in the works for 2024, so…
One and a Half Out of Four
MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU is now playing in theatres everywhere
This summer, from the biggest global animated franchise in history, comes the origin story of how the world’s greatest supervillain first met his iconic Minions, forged cinema’s most despicable crew and faced off against the most unstoppable criminal force ever assembled in MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU.
Long before he becomes the master of evil, Gru (Oscar® nominee Steve Carell) is just a 12-year-old boy in 1970s suburbia, plotting to take over the world from his basement.
It’s not going particularly well. When Gru crosses paths with the Minions, including Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto—a new Minion sporting braces and a desperate need to please—this unexpected family joins forces. Together, they build their first lair, design their first weapons, and strive to execute their first missions.
When the infamous supervillain supergroup, the Vicious 6, oust their leader—legendary martial arts fighter Wild Knuckles (Oscar® winner Alan Arkin)— Gru, their most devoted fanboy, interviews to become their newest member. The Vicious 6 is not impressed by the diminutive, wannabe villain, but then Gru outsmarts (and enrages) them, and he suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. With Gru on the run, the Minions attempt to master the art of kung fu to help save him, and Gru discovers that even bad guys need a little help from their friends.
The Vicious 6 —(from lower left) Jean Clawed (Jean-Claude Van Damme), Svengeance (Dolph Lundgren), Belle Bottom (Taraji P. Henson), Stronghold (Danny Trejo), Nunchuck (Lucy Lawless)—address the Minions (foreground, backs to camera) in Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru, directed by Kyle Balda.
Featuring more spectacular action than any film in Illumination history and packed with the franchise’s signature subversive humor, Minions: The Rise of Gru stars a thrilling new cast, including, the Vicious 6: Taraji P. Henson as cool and confident leader Belle Bottom, whose chain belt doubles as a lethal disco-ball mace; Jean-Claude Van Damme as the nihilistic Jean Clawed, who’s armed (literally) with a giant robotic claw; Lucy Lawless as Nunchuck, whose traditional nun’s habit hides her deadly nun-chucks; Dolph Lundgren as Swedish roller-skate champion Svengeance, who dispenses his enemies with spin kicks from his spiked skates; and Danny Trejo as Stronghold, whose giant iron hands are both a menace to others and a burden to him.
The film also stars Russell Brand as Young Dr. Nefario, an aspiring mad scientist, Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow, an acupuncturist with mad kung fu skills, and Oscar® winner Julie Andrews as Gru’s maddeningly self-absorbed mom.
(from left) Kevin, Gru (Steve Carell) and Stuart in Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru, directed by Kyle Balda.
Steered by the franchise’s original creators, Minions: The Rise of Gru is produced by visionary Illumination founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and his longtime collaborators Janet Healy and Chris Renaud. The film is directed by returning franchise filmmaker Kyle Balda (Despicable Me 3, Minions), co-directed by Brad Ableson (The Simpsons) and Jonathan del Val (The Secret Life of Pets films), and features the iconic voice of Pierre Coffin as the Minions and a killer ’70s soundtrack courtesy of legendary Grammy-winning music producer Jack Antonoff.
Ali Davis (Taraji P. Henson) is a successful sports agent who’s constantly boxed out by her male colleagues. When Ali is passed up for a well-deserved promotion, she questions what else she needs to do to succeed in a man’s world… until she gains the ability to hear men’s thoughts! With her newfound power, Ali looks to outsmart her colleagues as she races to sign the next basketball superstar, but the lengths she has to go to will put her relationship with her best friends and a potential new love interest (Aldis Hodge) to the test.
WHAT MEN WANT is the latest comedy from director Adam Shankman (HAIRSPRAY) and producers Will Packer and James Lopez (GIRLS TRIP), co-starring Tracy Morgan, Richard Roundtree, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Josh Brener, Tamala Jones, Phoebe Robinson, Max Greenfield, Jason Jones, Brian Bosworth, Chris Witaske and Erykah Badu. The story is by Jas Waters and Tina Gordon, with a screenplay by Tina Gordon and Peter Huyck & Alex Gregory.
WHAT MEN WANT opens February 8
Enter for your chance to win two free passes to the St. Louis advance screening of WHAT MEN WANT. The theatrical sneak preview will be on Monday, February 4 at 7:00pm.
Answer the following: Henson was nominated as Best Supporting Actress in which 2008 American fantasy romantic drama film directed by David Fincher?
Add you name, answer and email address in our comments section below.
NO PURCHASE REQUIRED. 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.
R for language and sexual content throughout, and some drug material
Paramount Pictures announced today that on Wednesday, February 6th, fans at select theatres in the U.S. will have the chance to attend paid WHAT MEN WANT Girls’ Night Out Screenings.
Fans who participate in this one-day only event will get the chance to grab their friends for a fun night out and see the film on the big screen before it opens nationwide on Friday, February 8th. Tickets will be on sale for the prevailing price at participating locations, and each paid admission includes a ticket to the movie, bonus content and a free WHAT MEN WANT cocktail glass at all participating theatres – while supplies last. Some circuits will offer special concession deals, specialty beverages themed around the movie, and/or more. Offers will vary from circuit to circuit and theatre to theatre.
Showtime will be 7:00PM at all participating locations, with 335 theatres participating in over 70 markets. Over 200 of the screenings to take place at theatres with bars and/or with beer/wine & frozen drink service.
Tickets go on sale TODAY Friday, January 18th at WhatMenWantMovie.comas well as at participating theatre box offices and respective exhibitor ticketing sites.
Ali Davis (Taraji P. Henson) is a successful sports agent who’s constantly boxed out by her male colleagues. When Ali is passed up for a well-deserved promotion, she questions what else she needs to do to succeed in a man’s world… until she gains the ability to hear men’s thoughts! With her newfound power, Ali looks to outsmart her colleagues as she races to sign the next basketball superstar, but the lengths she has to go to will put her relationship with her best friends and a potential new love interest (Aldis Hodge) to the test.
WHAT MEN WANT is the latest comedy from director Adam Shankman (HAIRSPRAY) and producers Will Packer and James Lopez (GIRLS TRIP), co-starring Tracy Morgan, Richard Roundtree, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Josh Brener, Tamala Jones, Phoebe Robinson, Max Greenfield, Jason Jones, Brian Bosworth, Chris Witaske and Erykah Badu. The story is by Jas Waters and Tina Gordon, with a screenplay by Tina Gordon and Peter Huyck & Alex Gregory.
Taraji P. Henson and Richard Roundtree in What Men Want from Paramount Pictures and Paramount Players.
Well, feature animation fans it’s time to empty out that big change jar and head down to the video arcade. You know, right next to the multiplex. What to do you mean it’s gone? Why the next thing you’ll tell me is that the Blockbuster Video is…uh, oh. That sums up the challenge for the folks at the Walt Disney Animation Studios. In 2010 they finally had a hit that almost rivaled their friendly (same company by then) neighbor at Pixar, a modern attitude take on the Rapunzel fairy tale called TANGLED. And two years later WDAS had an even bigger hit with WRECK-IT RALPH a zany look at what goes on after hours at a video arcade, a clever mix of TOY STORY and WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT (lots of cameos from game superstars from several companies). Six years later WDAS decides to finally produce a theatrical sequel (most follow-ups to their features go right to home video or TV), but video arcades are on the outs, unless they’re part of those big family fun places that include food (pizza primarily) and interactive activities (bumper cars, mini-coasters, etc.). Where are folks playing video games now? At home mostly, with gaming systems and online with other folks across town or the globe. There’s now only one option for that brick smashing game icon, as we try to maintain our WiFi connection when RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET.
Yes, the setting of this new flick is today, and somehow Litwak’s Arcade is still open. Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) spend their days entertaining the kid clientele via their respective games, “Fix-It Felix Jr.” and “Sugar Rush”. At night, the two meet down at the electrical outlet power strip and spend the wee hours at different games before heading to Tappers for a frosty root beer before heading back to their respective home games. Vanellope enjoys their time together but ponders to Ralph whether there’s more to do. One day their routine is disrupted when one of the other games is unplugged and replaced with a WiFi router. The two are curious but are warned away by Surge Protector (Phil Johnston). Hours later, the ultimate disaster occurs, the steering wheel on the Sugar Rush game is broken. Ralph and Vanellope overhear Mr. Litwak (Ed O’Neill) say that he’ll have to order a new one from the internet. Now the duo has a mission, as they sneak into the world wide web via the router cord. The helpful guide/search engine KnowsMore (Alan Tudyk), gets them to the eBay site which has a wheel up for auction. The two bid way too much, thinking the point is to top each other’s number, and so they need to make some quick cash. In their travels the two stumble into the gritty game, Slaughter Race, where Vanellope becomes fast friends with its racing star Shank (Gal Gadot). While they bond, Ralph visits the BuzzTube offices of Yesss (Taraji P. Henson) who plans to make him a viral video superstar (lots of hits=lotsa’ dough). Then the unthinkable happens. Vanellope thinks that she may want to stay online in Shanks’ game. Will these inseparable best buds be …separated? And can Ralph prevent that from happening without, well, breaking the internet?
The returning voice actors easily slip back into their gaming personas, like, um, a comfortable old pair of slippers. Reilly is that same big, friendly affable lunkhead with a soft heart to match his head, at times. He always has the best intentions, though never truly thinks out the consequences. But he’s a devoted pal to Vanellope who still has the right mix of innocence and sass thanks to the spirited vocal stylings of Silverman. This time out, though there’s a touch of pathos to the mischievous imp. Like some many Disney heroines before her, she’s yearning for something and eager to explore the world, newly expanded thanks to the “interweb”. Jack McBrayer and Jane Lynch also return as the oddest of arcade couple, eternal lovebirds perky, peppy Felix and tough somewhat surly Calhoun. As for the new additions, Gadot is smooth and sultry as the street-smart Shank making her the ideal big sis to Ms. V. While Henson brings an infectious energy to the also cool, though much flashier Yesss who nearly flings herself across her opulent digs when formulating a plan. Tudyk, who may be WDAS’s good luck charm as much as John Ratzenberger is over at Pixar, makes KnowsMore a very funny and endearing “know-it-all”. SNL vet Bill Hader pops in and out as a motor-mouthed pop-up ad pitchman, similar to a cyber member of Nathan Detroit’s crew from GUYS AND DOLLS. But not everybody’s helpful and pleasant. Alfred Molina represents the “dark side” of the web as the growling, gruesome underworld…er web kingpin known as Double Dan (if you’re reminded of a 1990 sci-fi misfit, then you have TOTAL RECALL). Plus there are loads of familiar voices showing up as the online incarnation of their famous media roles.
Rich Moore, who snagged a well-deserved Oscar for ZOOTOPIA a couple of years ago, returns for this sequel sharing the director reigns with first-time feature filmmaker Phil Johnson. Oh, and the two share story and screenplay credits with Jim Reardon, Pamela Ribon, and Josie Trinidad. Big kudos to them all for bringing us a follow-up that just as funny, and perhaps, emotionally richer than the first flick. Happily, the look of the new supporting players is just as interesting as the “Mutt and Jeff” dynamic of Ralph and Vanellope, while bringing us a variety of design and styles. And somehow they all work well together. There are the “cartoony” short and squat looks (inspired by the UPA shorts of the 1950’s) of KnowMore and the “pop-up” pitchmen. But they’re distinct from the icons representing internet viewers with cubed heads and spindly-thin bodies (look for one that recalls a very recently departed, much-beloved superstar). Then we’ve got the fairly realistic, almost out of an adventure comic strip, denizens of the Slaughter Race site, with the fine details of Shank’s streetwear and chopped frayed hair. Somewhere in-between is the slick, curved rendering of Yesss, who has a neo-futuristic fashion sense, sort of hip-hop meets Hirschfield (the caricature genius that inspired the Genie in ALADDIN). Speaking of character design, as the ads and trailers heavily tout, the Disney Princesses appear all together here. The artists have made the icons from different eras look pleasing in CGI 3D (many were originally drawn in 2D cell animation), and they interact without any jarring visual gaffes. So, Snow White can hang with Moana, and it seems natural. Happily, not all the best jokes and gags are in the ads. There’s a winking sense of affectionate satire in the interactions that will delight Disney fans of all ages. But that’s just a few scenes in this smart script that mingles cyber jokes about that annoying buffering spinning colored circle to the dangers of reading the comments section with a sweet, touching story of relationships. It extolls the joys of friendship while having much to say about a “selfish love” and the destructive results of trying to hold a friend back, for fear of losing them. Heady stuff in a family flick, eh? Oh, about the look of the internet, well it’s a glistening blue-tinged mix of Oz and METROPOLIS (the silent classic, not Superman’s home turf), that is often too jampacked with widgets and “gee-gaws” (maybe I should spring for the 3D upgrade on the next viewing). Yes, it’s a visual feast loaded with heart and humor. When RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET, he and his old and new friends will delight movie audiences of any age.
Here’s a first look at the new trailer and poster for RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET: WRECK-IT RALPH 2.
RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET: WRECK-IT RALPH 2 leaves Litwak’s video arcade behind, venturing into the uncharted, expansive and thrilling world of the internet—which may or may not survive Ralph’s wrecking. Video game bad guy Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) must risk it all by traveling to the world wide web in search of a replacement part to save Vanellope’s video game, Sugar Rush. In way over their heads, Ralph and Vanellope rely on the citizens of the internet—the netizens—to help navigate their way, including a webite entrepreneur named Yesss (voice of Taraji P. Henson), who is the head algorithm and the heart and soul of trend-making site “BuzzzTube.”
When WRECK-IT RALPH opened on Nov. 2, 2012, it turned in the highest opening weekend ever for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film at the time of release. WRECK-IT RALPH won the PGA Award for outstanding producer of an animated theatrical motion picture as well as five Annie Awards, including best animated feature, director, screenplay and actor. The film was named best animated feature by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, earned outstanding achievement in casting for an animated feature by the Casting Society of America, and won the Kids’ Choice Award for favorite animated movie. The film was also nominated for an Oscar® and Golden Globe® for best animated feature.
Directed by Rich Moore (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph”) and Phil Johnston (co-writer “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Cedar Rapids,” co-writer “Zootopia,”), and produced by Clark Spencer (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Bolt”), RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET: WRECK-IT RALPH 2 hits theaters on Nov. 21, 2018.
