The narrative is hardly wasted in focussing in on small adventures in the latest episodes of Dragons: Race to the Edge. Snotlout even gets some much-needed character development….
The six month wait is over. Hiccup and his team have new dangers to face and they are not serpentine in this latest release of Dragons: Race to the Edge episodes. They are a trio of war mongers wanting to own the Dragon Eye, a tube capable of displaying images carved inside (on a crystal) and whoever possesses it can use the secrets it contains to threaten everyone living in the Archipelago. Under Hiccup’s care, it can aid. The narrative slowly moves in an engaging direction to show that this series is not based on a simple idea: to train dragons all the time.
There’s plenty of animated films to look at in the new year. Some are more interesting than others and herein, I make my Top Animated Picks of 2016 to look forward to.
By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)
There’s plenty of animated films to look at in the new year. Some are more interesting than others and herein, I make my Top Animated Picks of 2016 to look forward to. Instead of glancing at the films coming out of North America, I’m looking world-wide and the movies I see offered get diverse.
But before I get to the list, the following are my honourable mentions: Just because Finding Dory is PIXAR and I loved Finding Nemo, that does not mean this movie will be excellent. Thirteen years have passed (an unlucky number for the superstitious) since Nemo went home. In another film, I’m thinking the cat featured in Secret Life of Pets is the next Garfield. For the story featured in Henchman, I’m figuring this film can easily fit in the world of Mastermind although this movie is developed over at BRON Studios.
Animal Crackers (TBD)
Not to be confused with the Marx Brothers film of the same name, this animated fare looks at a life of the Huntington family who finds a magical box of said crackers who can change the eater into the animal they have pulled out from the box. This film has promise when there is an all-star cast assembled to provide the voices.
What’s especially lovable is the fact that it’s tough not to love a cartoon that Patrick Warburton is featured in; ever since Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, he does a great job at voicing one of my favourite characters from Toy Story. Not to be forgotten, the other stars include: John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Ian McKellen, Danny DeVito, Sylvester Stallone, Wallace Shawn and Raven-Symoné.
The best animated works came from Netflix’s streaming service. And DreamWorks offered a lot which Loved.
PIXAR’s film is a strong contender come Oscar season!
2015 was very good for many fans of the animation genre. The best animated works came from Netflix‘s streaming service. And DreamWorks offered a lot which Loved. Turbo FAST’s serialized offering was okay, but in what I loved was All Hail King Julian! Other programs like Dragons: Race to the Edge, Dawn of the Croods and Adventures of Puss in Boots shows that at least the studio is dedicated.
But what does that mean for other studios? Curiously, DreamWorks has not continued 2014’s Penguins of Madagascar movie. Has Nickelodeon said no to the studio making more or has Tom McGrath, the voice of Skipper, decided to move on? Currently, he’s working on Boss Baby, slated for release in 2017.
Disney/Pixar was busy with two releases, Inside Out and The Good Dinosaur, and while I favour the prehistoric adventure more than a look at what goes on inside a little girl’s head, I do see the former being a contender come Oscar season. I do have to wonder how long Minion-mania will last. It arrived in full force because of the movie and it showed no signs of slowing down over the holidays with merchandise being deeply discounted and the film put onto home video super early!
Good news! As predicted, the Dragons are coming next year and early! After the festive fun is over with, How to Train Your Dragon enthusiasts can thrill to the next adventures of Hiccup, Toothless and gang! DreamWorks Animation made the announcement today in an email newsletter and on twitter with a contest today. To sate appetites, The continuing Adventures of Puss in Boots is leading the charge! The Dawn of the Croods will be coming on the eve before Christmas even!
Unless you have been living under a rock or cave, the Minions are invading the planet! That is, from grocery to big box stores, there are more than toy products. While I was out shopping this past month, I saw General Mills Minions cereal, licensed boxers from Despicable Me 2 and Chinese knock-offs at the gift shop in Chinatown. These adorable yellow puff n’ stuffs might also be set to invade the television screen too. Well, if a series is in development, Illumination Entertainment is not telling but I will not be surprised. These single-celled organisms have one simple goal: serve someone evil and show they are not inept. There’s no better strategy than to appear anywhere so they tell everyone they are willing to help!
Po is back in black or more appropriately white and black. In this third installment from DreamWorks animation we see that Po (Jack Black) is reunited with his long-lost father Li (Bryan Cranston) but only after the villagers sit through a long game of mind tennis. Po and Li fail to earn points or gain ground much to the chagrin of the locals. I guess both pandas are of the same blood. Like father like son so they say.
DreamWorks has made a good decision by setting Kung Fu Panda 3 for a January 29, 2016 release. By doing so they will circumnavigate the gaping hole that Star Wars VII – The Force Awakens will leave over Christmas and at the same time assure Panda 3 will see at least some box office revenue.
The six month wait is over. Hiccup and his team have new dangers to face and they are not serpentine in this latest release of Dragons: Race to the Edge episodes. They are a trio of war mongers wanting to own the Dragon Eye, a tube capable of displaying images carved inside (on a crystal) and whoever possesses it can use the secrets it contains to threaten everyone living in the Archipelago. Under Hiccup’s care, it can aid. The narrative slowly moves in an engaging direction to show that this series is not based on a simple idea: to train dragons all the time.
By Ed Sum (The Minion Addict)