Tag: Animation

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Movie Review

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018) Movie Review

ABC Film Challenge – Sequels – H – Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation – Movie Review

Hotel Transylvania 3 Poster

Director: Genndy Tartakovsky

Writer: Genndy Tartakovsky, Michael McCullers (Screenplay)

Cast (Voice Talents)

Plot: Count Dracula and company participate in a cruise for sea-loving monsters. Unaware that their boat is being commandeered by the monster-hating Van Helsing family.

Runtime: 1 Hour 37 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation starts as Dracula is starting to feel lonely, his daughter Mavis has started her own family. His friends have also moved on with partners too, they suggest he tries dating again.

The group of monsters decide to take a monster cruise to help Dracula. Who instantly falls in love with the captain Ericka. Unaware of her connections to the man that has been hunting him for centuries.  

Verdict on Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation is a family-friendly animation movie. Following up on the previous two movies, seeing the monsters trying to move on with their lives. Dracula wants to be happy after raising his daughter who has her own family. Along with mixing this side of the story, with the endless battles with the Van Helsings.

This will keep the usual harmless fun along the way, getting to have a laugh at the monster’s expensive. Instead of taking everything too seriously, as most monster movies do. The idea that the biggest enemy has come back to eliminate Dracula, is a nice touch. Additionally, it helps continue the idea that family can work together, and ideas can change.

Adam Sandler continues to grow his dark universe better than the studio that failed miserably with ‘The Mummy’ in 2017. This will offer up the laughs needed and makes it a fun experience for the family.

Where to Watch: Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation is available to stream through Sky.

Final Thoughts – Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation is a fun addition to the franchise.

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Movie Review

Rally Road Racers (2023) Movie Review

Rally Road Racers – Movie Review

Rally Road Racers

Director: Ross Venokur

Writer: Ross Venokur (Screenplay)

Cast (Voice Talents)

Plot: Racers compete in a high-stakes rally along the famous Silk Road trade route.

Runtime: 1 Hour 33 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Rally Road Racers starts when aspiring racer Zhi learns his family home is going to be destroyed by ruthless businessman Archie Vainglorious. Zhi’s whole family have lived in the same village and now he makes a deal with Archie to get his home back.

However, this deal becomes more difficult when Archie does everything in his power to stop Zhi from inning the four-day racing event. Although along the way, Zhi learns many life lessons that could give him an edge to overcome the odds.

Verdict on Rally Road Racers

Rally Road Racers is an animated adventure following an ambitious young racer loris who makes a deal with an evil toad to save his home village. However, he must overcome the odds to save the village before it is too late.

This is a fun animated movie giving us plenty of laughs and heartfelt moments for the characters involved. It shows an unlikely hero coming to face a big villainous figure that has always cheated their way to the top. This sends the family message about helping people who can’t always fight back. Along with the idea that people from different backgrounds can have their own stories worth listening to. When it comes to the racing, they all feel like they could be from a video game, which adds to the fun involved.

Where to Watch: Rally Road Racers will be in UK Cinemas from 15th September.

Final Thoughts –Rally Road Racers is a fun-filled family adventure movie.

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Movie Review

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013) Movie Review

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 – ABC Film Challenge – Sequels/Remakes – C – Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 – Movie Review

Cloudy

Director: Cody Cameron, Kris Pearn

Writer: Erica Rivinoja, John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein (Screenplay)

Writer: Judi Barrett, Ron Barrett (Book)

Cast (Voice Talents)

  • Bill Hader (IT Chapter Two)
  • Anna Faris (Scary Movie)
  • James Caan (The Godfather)
  • Andy Samberg (Popstar)
  • Will Forte (Nebraska)

Plot: Flint Lockwood now works at The Live Corp Company for his idol Chester V. But he’s forced to leave his post when he learns that his most infamous machine is still operational, and is churning out menacing food-animal hybrids.

Runtime: 1 Hour 35 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 starts right where the last movie finished. Flint celebrating saving the residents, gets a visit from his idol Chester V who offers to help with the clean-up. As Flint gets to meet his idol, he gets to learn the disturbing side effects of what has happened on the island.

Flint is joined by Sam, Steve, Tim, Earl, Manny and Brent to finish destroying the machine and ending a potential end-worlding event. However, not everything is as it seems from what they learn from the island.

Verdict on Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 is an animated sequel. It picks up right where the last movie finished. It shows the consequences of what happened and shows an amazing world that has been created behind on the island. This leads to Flint needing to understand the importance of friendship.

The movie does feel even more fantasy based, with amazing creations let loose upon the world. the living breathing versions of food, make for a wonderful creation. Each has its own personality that helps move the story on as Flint needs to learn what they are all about. This whole movie does feel like it is in a different direction from the previous film, one that works very well.

Final Thoughts – Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 is a great sequel expanding the universe.

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Movie Review

Sing 2 (2021) Movie Review

Sing 2 – ABC Film Challenge – Sequel/Remakes – B (Buster Moon) – Sing 2 – Movie Review

Sing 2

Director: Garth Jennings, Christophe Lourdelet

Writer: Garth Jennings (Screenplay)

Cast (Voice Talent)

Plot: Buster Moon and his friends must persuade reclusive rock star Clay Calloway to join them for the opening of a new show.

Runtime: 1 Hour 50 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Sing 2 starts as Buster Moon and his friends are trying to reach the next level of fame. They are seeking attention from a short-tempered producer Mr Crystal. When Buster promises to bring reclusive rock star Clay Calloway to be part of the show, he must go in search of him.

As the production gets underway, Buster starts to learn the truth about show business. While the rest of the band questions whether this is what they really want from the performances they put on.

Verdict on Sing 2

Sing 2 is a sequel to the popular talent contest movie Sing. It brings back the original cast who have been performing and wanting to get to the next level. However, when they get their big break, they find themselves struggling to keep together through the strains of big-time production.

The sequel does feel bigger, with the friends needing to overcome different problems. While Buster continues to get himself in trouble letting his mouth get him in more trouble each time. The performances are big, using a mix of acting talent and musical artists to bring new versions of famous songs to life. This ends up being an entertaining animated movie that the family can enjoy.

Final Thoughts – Sing 2 is an enjoyable family-friendly animated movie.

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Movie Review

The Star (2017) Movie Review

The Star – Movie Review

The Star

Director: Timothy Reckart

Writer: Carlos Kotkin, Simon Moore (Screenplay)

Cast (Voice Talents)

Plot: A small but brave donkey and his animal friends become the unsung heroes of the first Christmas.

Runtime: 1 Hour 26 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Star starts when a curious young donkey Bo looks to escape his life in a mill. This sees him meet Mary, who has just been given the child of God. As Mary and her husband Joseph look to have their first child, Bo learns they are in danger and looks to join forces with his bird friend Dave to protect her.

The journey sees Bo meeting other animals along the way, giving a different point of view of the birth of Christ. As the unlikely crew work together, we see the other problems they face along the way.

Verdict on The Star

The Star is an animated adventure following the journey to Bethlehem through the eyes of animals. It takes us on the journey of a young donkey trying to find his place in the world, trying to help Mary after learning she is in danger.

This movie does a harmless creation to retell the biblical tale. It makes it child friendly so that we can continue the story for the next generation. By now you would know the basic story before going in and don’t do much to go against that idea. The all-star cast of voice acting gives solid enough performances. It is a strange selection to have in such small roles though.

Final Thoughts – The Star is a friendly vision of the birth of Christ.

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Movie Review

The Big Trip (2019) Movie Review

The Big Trip – Movie Review

Big Trip

Director: Vasiliy Rovenskiy, Natalya Nilova

Writer: Vasiliy Roevenskiy, Billy Frolick, Pavel Vinogradov (Screenplay)

Cast (Voice Talents)

Plot: A goofy stork mistakenly delivers a baby panda to the wrong door. A bear, a moose, a tiger and a rabbit set on an arduous but fun filled adventure through wilderness to return the panda to its rightful home.

Runtime: 1 Hour 20 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Big Trip starts when a bear Mic-Mic and hare Oscar discover a baby Panda on their doorstep. It has been dropped off by a stalk that got confused and now the three team up to return the Panda to its real family.

Along the way, they are joined by a cowardly wolf and a tiger as they must do what they can to stop a python. The unlikely team must use their own strengths to complete their mission.

Verdict on The Big Trip

The Big Trip is an animated adventure following a mismatched group of animals trying to return a baby panda to its family. It sees them overcoming their own fears to achieve this along the way as they learn their own life lessons.

This is a fun little comedy that you can see the younger member of the family enjoys. It has enough laughs along the way along with the important message about understanding who you really are. There isn’t too much original to what we haven’t seen before, most notably with the ‘Ice Age’ in the past.

Final Thoughts – The Big Trip is a solid family-friendly animation.

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Movie Review

Walking with Dinosaurs (2013) Movie Review

ABC Film Challenge – 2010s Movies – W – Walking with Dinosaurs – Movie Review

Walking wtih Dinosaurs Poster

Director: Barry Cook, Neil Nightingale

Writer: John Collee (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: See and feel what it was like when dinosaurs ruled the Earth, in a story where underdog Dino triumphs to become a hero for the ages.

Runtime: 1 Hour 27 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Walking with Dinosaurs starts as two children Ricky (Rowe), and Jade (Rice) are sent to spend time with their Uncle Zack (Urban). Zack is a palaeologist studying dinosaurs, which appeals to Jade, but not to Ricky.

Here, Ricky gets told a story by a talking bird. One is about a young dinosaur who learns to navigate the world with the threats they must overcome. Despite being different, he made a story of legend amongst his species.

Verdict on Walking with Dinosaurs

Walking with Dinosaurs is a fun family animated movie. It follows a group of dinosaurs that navigated a difficult environment to survive, in a humorous way. It will show the battle between the brawn and brains that were placed upon dinosaurs.

While harmless in the story it is telling, it never seems to break out of voiceovers for the documentary it started as. Giving a little story about one species of dinosaur, in a world filled with hundreds of different species.

A lot of the jokes are more pop culture-based or silly humour, which can get a couple of laughs along the way. It does have part of a teaching experience, giving information about each dinosaur we meet.

Where to Watch: Walking with Dinosaurs is available on Disney Plus and Sky Go.

Final Thoughts – Walking with Dinosaurs is a fun little animation, with an educational message.

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Movie Review

Monster Family 2 (2021) Movie Review

Monster Family 2 – Movie Review

Monster Family 2

Director: Holger Tappe

Writer: David Safier, Kirstie Falkous, Abraham Katz (Screenplay)

Cast (Voice Talents)

  • Emily Watson (Red Dragon)
  • Jason Isaacs (Mass)
  • Nick Frost (The World’s End)
  • Jessica Brown Findlay (Brave New World)

Plot: To free Baba Yaga and Renfield from the clutches of Monster Hunter Mila Starr, the Wishbone Family once more transforms into a Vampire, Frankenstein’s Monster, a Mummy and a Werewolf. Aided and abetted by their three pet bats, our Monster Family zooms around the world again to save their friends, make new monstrous acquaintances and finally come to the realization that ‘Nobody’s Perfect’ – even those with flaws can find happiness.

Runtime: 1 Hour 43 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Monster Family 2 starts as the Wishbone family are attending Baba Yaga’s wedding. The youngest member of the family Max has been struggling to fit into life after the events of the first movie. Mila Starr interrupts the wedding to take Baba Yaga in her own quest to capture monsters in the world.

After Mila takes Baba Yaga, Max ends up unleashing the curse back on his family. He wants the skills being a werewolf gave him, seeing the family come together to get to the bottom of what Mila is planning.

Verdict on Monster Family 2

Monster Family 2 is an animated adventure sequel that sees the Wishbone family going on a new adventure. This time they face up against a monster hunter that has been capturing the biggest creatures from around the world. Including their friends and now they must return to being monsters to use their abilities to fight back.

This movie does feel like it has a younger sense of adventure. It changes to focus from the adults struggling, to the youngest child not feeling like he fits in anymore. The movie keeps the importance of family as the centre heart of the film. Despite this, some of the comedy misses just like in the first movie.

Final Thoughts – Monster Family 2 is an entertaining sequel for fans of the original.

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Movie Review

Monster Family (2017) Movie Review

Monster Family – ABC Film Challenge – 2010s Movies – E (Emma) Monster Family – Movie Review

Monster Family

Director: Holger Tappe

Writer: David Safier, Catharina Junk (Screenplay)

Writer: David Safier (Book)

Cast (Voice Talents)

  • Emily Watson (Red Dragon)
  • Jason Isaacs (Mass)
  • Nick Frost (The World’s End)
  • Jessica Brown Findlay (Brave New World)
  • Celia Imrie (Nanny McPhee)

Plot: Despite the title, the Wishbone family are far from happy. In an attempt to reconnect as a family, Mum and Emma plan a fun night out. However, her plan backfires when an evil witch curses them, and they’re all turned into Monsters.

Runtime: 1 Hour 33 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Monster Family starts when an everyday family Wishbone’s mother Emma, father Frank, and children Fay and Max struggle with everyday life. they are trying to fit into a society where they constantly cause problems for each other. The latest incident sees them embarrass themselves in front of the children’s school.

In the aftermath of this incident, an old witch transforms them into monsters, leading to them needing to work together to solve the problem. Can the family finally work together for the first time in years?

Verdict on Monster Family

Monster Family is an animated adventure movie following an everyday family that gets transformed into monsters. They must put aside the problems they have been having to solve the problem, learning to accept the different skills they have obtained through the years.

This is a fun family film that uses Halloween monsters to create different characters. We have a vampire, Frankenstein’s monster, Mummy and Werewolf to describe the different family members. They play into the typical traits you would imagine family members to have. It has all the heart of coming together to work as a family, keeping things positive against evil trying to change them.

Final Thoughts – Monster Family is a fun family Halloween movie.