This week I decided to gather together a handful of movie trailers for animated films coming out soon. I believe all of them are due to release in 2014, pending schedule changes. I contemplated saving this list for next week, as it’s a holiday week. They would make for a great “family” theme, but I am hoping for some sweet trailers to be released with The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, hitting theaters this Friday, which I can then share next Tuesday. I feel I really missed the mark by not having a horror theme for the week of Halloween too, but there is always next year, right?
The Nut Job (1/7/2014):
As you all know, I love me some squirrels. When they are featuring the voice talents of actors like Will Arnett and Liam Neeson? Even better. Part of me feels (from the trailer) that this animated film is of the lower budget, more independent end of the spectrum. I could be wrong, though. The animation doesn’t look to be poor quality, but I guess I worry about just how predictable it may be, and/or the funnier bits used up in the trailer. That being said, however, I am definitely not opposed to seeing squirrels commit a nut heist in the theaters! I mean come on, let’s be serious now...
The Wind Rises (2/21/2014):
I am a fan of Hayao Miyazaki’s work, my favorite being Howl’s Moving Castle, which I highly recommend if you haven’t yet seen it. Other animated films of his I’ve enjoyed include Spirited Away and Ponyo. I’m not certain if many others share his style, but every time I’ve seen a trailer for one of his animated movies I know who it is right off the bat. This title seems a bit different from what I’m familiar with, but I’m sure it will be great. It’s already released, and I’m sure you can find it easy enough online to watch, but the US theatrical release isn’t due until next February. Pretty excited to see this film!
Mr. Peabody & Sherman (3/7/2014):
I wanted to post this a week or two ago, after seeing a fellow blogger — Clark — using a still shot of Mr. Peabody and Sherman, but am glad I waited until now. I used to watch The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, but I honestly can’t remember the segments featuring these two characters. I think I would be more excited to see this if I did. It doesn’t look too bad, but I definitely have no emotional/nostalgic attachment to it. Maybe someone can fill me in on their part in that animated show? This animated feature is sure to have some good laughs and appeal greatly to a younger crowd (and the older nostalgic crowd?), but I am definitely okay waiting until RB/Netflix.
Rio 2 (4/11/2014):
Admittedly Rio is a movie I never got around to watching, and I watch a good many animated flicks. It originally never appealed to me, but I heard good things about it, and so I hope to watch the first installment sooner than later. This trailer (which is technically a teaser), however, doesn’t give me much to go on (Rio is the blue bird right?). I did find it funny, though, so I will wait to see what the full trailer reveals once it’s finally released before I determine where I stand with it. Pretty hit or miss at the moment... Edit: Was able to find a trailer, the "teaser" I mentioned is featured at the end of it. Was probably the best part of what the trailer [for me], so I think I may be waiting for RB/NFlix on this one.
Planes 2: Fire & Rescue (7/18/2014):
ACK! Another animated sequel of a movie I never saw. I really liked Cars (mind you, I haven’t seen any sequels), but Planes never really appealed to me. Then again, neither did Cars originally, so maybe I should finally give the first movie a go. It isn’t likely to make me want to check out the sequel, though. I’ve been pretty anti-sequel with most animated films. There are sometimes exceptions like the Toy Story franchise and the upcoming How to Train Your Dragon 2, but I’m really picky about it. Despite my thoughts, the first installment was met with quite the financial success and so it only makes sense that they would continue to pump out sequels. Again, like most animated features, this is likely to appeal to the younger crowd, some fans of the franchises, and bring in some good cash. I’ll be content with waiting it out.
The Boxtrolls (9/24/2014):
I don’t know a whole lot about this animated film. I like the trailer, and it piques my interest, but not much is explained in the feature. It makes me feel like I am unaware of some common folklore that I wish I was more knowledgeable about. The animation looks really good, and the mystery surrounding it all intriguing. I worry, though, that this trailer has been released a year before it’s release date. If it were being released by a very prominent animation company or a part of an already sound franchise, that would be a different matter entirely. As it is, this is not the case with this animated film. Well (brief research shows) it seems they did Caroline and ParaNorman, so who’s to say. I was going to mention how sometimes these movies never see the light of day. All I can say for sure is that we have nearly a year’s wait to find out.
Did any of the highlighted trailers interest you? Do you have a favorite animated film and/or franchise? Any thoughts about the continual making of sequels for animated films? Are you familiar with Mr. Peabody & Sherman? Are you a fan of the original Rio and/or Planes movies?
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It’s been a long while. I briefly discuss some of this year’s shortcomings, and in doing so, find it’s just more of the same.
Then I attempt to give a more positive spin…
Extra Life Game Day 2021 has arrived! It’s Year 8 for myself and I am looking forward to once again raise money for Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. Team Cryton Crusaders is ready (kind of) for the annual fundraising event involving a 24-Hour Gaming Marathon! I kept last year’s fun, but likely impossible Milestone to reach!
Learn more about the challenge where my team and I play games and heal kids!