This article first appeared as a “Chick on the Draw” column in Luna Station Quarterly, March 6, 2015.
This year’s animated lineup is out of control. There is no controlling it. Don’t try. You will hurt yourself. There are two Disney/Pixar movies coming out this year: INSIDE OUT (June 19) and THE GOOD DINOSAUR (Nov 25). TWO PIXAR MOVIES IN ONE YEAR.
But there’s still time to find a paper bag to breathe into. Let’s talk about spring.
HOME (March 27)
Based on Adam Rex’s extremely silly 2007 children’s book, The True Meaning of Smekday, the film follows a girl and a friendly, outcast alien on the journey to find her mother and save the earth. In the book, the friendly alien was named J. Lo; those missing the old name may be relieved by the movie’s actual Jennifer Lopez.
And can we talk about a brown girl main character? IS THIS REAL LIFE?
Expect silliness, flying cars, heartfelt moments, Minions-esque marketability, and Jim Parsons at 100% Parson.
| Known for | ||
| Director | Tim Johnson | OVER THE HEDGE (2006) SINBAD: LEGEND OF THE SEVEN SEAS (2003) |
| Based on | The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex | |
| Screenplay by | Tom J. Astle and Matt Ember | GET SMART (2008), EPIC (2013) |
| Studio | DreamWorks Animation | HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (perpetual) KUNG FU PANDA (perpetual) |
Cast: Rihanna, Jim Parsons, Steve Martin, Jennifer Lopez
UNDERDOGS (April 10)
A 2013 hit in its original Argentina, METEGOL lands in the US as UNDERDOGS. In it, Foosball players come to life to help a young man combat a childhood enemy returned to destroy their hometown. Expect adventure, pandemonium, and gags of all kinds.
In the lead role of Jake (née Amadeo) appears Nicholas Hoult, who is off to a hell of a busy year.
| Known for | ||
| Director | Juan José Campanella | AVELLANEDA’S MOON (2004) SON OF THE BRIDE (2001) A huuuge amount of TV |
| Studio | 100 Bares, Plural-Jempsa and Catmandu Branded Entertainment | The first feature from Catmandu, who proclaims METEGOL “the largest Ibero-American CG production to date” |
Cast: Ariana Grande, Nicholas Hoult, Matthew Morrison, Katie Holmes
SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE (April 24)
Fixture of the BBC that reached US audiences through NETFLIX streaming, Shaun the Sheep arrives in his first feature to hit the city and rescue a lost Farmer. Expect rampant adventure, puns, visual gags, and startling emotional moments.
Shaun the Sheep listener advisory: extremely catchy theme song.
| Known for | ||
| Directors | Richard Goleszowski, Mark Burton | First time at the helm |
| Story | Richard Goleszowski, Mark Burton | GNOMEO & JULIET (2011) MADAGASCAR (2005) THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT (2005) CHICKEN RUN (2000) |
| Studio | Aardman Animations | WALLACE & GROMIT (perpetual) CHICKEN RUN (2000) |
Cast: Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes
Other Items
Originally slated for May, new Paramount feature from director Chris Wedge (ICE AGE, EPIC) MONSTER TRUCKS, has been pushed to a Christmas release. No poster. No trailer. No worries?
The release date for the RATCHET & CLANK movie remains unannounced. So if you need a throwback Sony fix, you need to dust off the PlayStation.
