Illumination Entertainment Archives

“Sing”ing the Praises to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”

Horror musicals have a special place in our heart, and we look at what’s been done in recent memory and still to come that’s a “Thriller!”

Sing Thriller Homage Available to view on Netflix

Michael Jackson’s Thriller is celebrating 40 years and it still gets a lot of radio airplay when All Hallow’s Eve arrives. While there’s plenty of shows that’s played tribute in small ways (like the zombie dance or that parting gaze), that’s never enough for me. To have Illumination Entertainment offer an animated take featuring the cast of Sing, I’m in love with the song again–or should I say the laugh?

When some ooze threatens the populace of Calatonia and transforms them into zombies rather than mutant ninja turtles, just how much more real can it get. As for other takes, other than DreamWorks “Thriller Night,” I don’t think any other long form take exists. Whether Michael Jackson’s Halloween (produced in 2017), counts, I’d say yes!

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Celebrating Despicable Me 4 Home Video Release and Benny’s Birthday Surprise!

Long time fans of this franchise can now binge watch all four of the Despicable Me films, or just enjoy more Minion Mayhem stitched together, assuming they’re willing to get off the couch to change discs.

Despicable Me 4 Blu-ray — Available to purchase on Amazon USA

Illumination Studios

The Despicable Me franchise has some amazing staying power, and I’m always interested in what new wacky adventures Gru’s family can have. I reviewed this movie when it was at theatres, and as always, am interested in what’ll get offered in the home video release. They never fail to deliver some hilarious short. That’s why I keep on buying them over streaming (I’m in the camp that should a film get pulled, I can’t revisit the movie when I want to) or asking for review copies. I must thank Universal Studios as the Despicable Me 4 package arrived before my birthday. I celebrated my day with Benny’s Birthday short.

Here, this Minion is afraid of what the others planned. That’s because he’s stuck in a temporal loop, and he can’t figure out how to escape. By the time the cake arrives, he gets hurt, and the day starts all over again! How he breaks free is not too unexpected. It’s tough to find fault with these shorts because the works of Mack Sennett inspired most of them. He’s the Silent Film King of Comedy, and in his vast catalogue of works, there’s plenty to borrow from.

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When Despicable Me 4 Attempts to Be Fantastic By Making It Marvel, There’s Something Missing

When Pierre Coffin is not co-directing, some of that early film charm is missing in Despicable Me 4.

Despicable Me 4 Movie Poster Minions Even after five films, I am still asking where all the heroes have gone in Despicable Me 4? In this latest, Gru (Steve Carell) is an agent for the Anti-Villain League (AVL) and will go undercover to undo the criminal element. Whether his motive is to right all his past wrongs, this franchise rarely goes deep into his mind to understand why he is now what he is instead of the rascal from times gone by.

That also includes dealing with threats like Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrel), whom he was once buddies with. This new character’s plan for world domination isn’t as crazy as what past films imagine. I wish they had dedicated more attention to Poppy Prescott’s (Joey King) attempts to convince Felonious to engage in criminal activities, instead of focusing on the other aspects.

Elsewhere, five Minions undergo mutation to become superheroes as part of the AVL’s attempt to give this world some heroes. Just like the previous films, their antics are fillers, and while they learn how to use their newfound powers, what’s presented is more slapstick moments than anything good. When these simple organisms have little purpose in life other than to serve Gru, well, all I have to ask is what happened to the prior team of Kevin, Stuart and Bob? Continue reading “When Despicable Me 4 Attempts to Be Fantastic By Making It Marvel, There’s Something Missing”

How Many Super Mario Bros. Movie Home Video Varients Are There?

Now on #homevideo is Illumination Entertainment and #Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. Movie! And we got the deets on the extras.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime
For a detailed movie review, please check out our review here.

The best way to power-up with the home video release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie is to check online for which outer package looks best on the shelf. There are steelbook editions (featuring Toad on the case; Best Buy), lenticular packaging (Target) and even a star-shaped tin (Walmart, online only). Unfortunately, it doesn’t light up otherwise I would’ve had it on preorder once I knew about it.

There might also be regional variants, but for me, when all I want is the motion picture and the bonus features, the standard 4K and Blu-ray issue holds.

I’m sure that when the planned series is over with, there’ll be a mega set in the shape of the golden power up box or Zelda’s chest. Nintendo is now developing the latter with Illumination Entertainment. That’ll be exciting, and it’s safe to say these properties won’t cross over! After these two flagship titles are out, along with the much anticipated Yoshi and perhaps also Starfox, an ultimate release is what I’m patiently waiting for. Fans of long running IPs never grow tired of playing or watching their favourite heroes embark on new adventures.

Super Mario Bros. Movie Walmart Tin

Alternatively, had all the Super Mario Bros. releases included a coupon code for Nintendo owners to redeem, I’d be tempted to collect them all. Whether what’s offered by doing so is enough for a discount for a videogame or a digital wallpaper is ultimately up to Nintendo to decide.

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The Super Mario Bros. Movie Zooms Into Streaming Tomorrow!

The Super Mario Bros. Movie takes what millions of gamers worldwide have loved for thirty-five years and levels it up to a new and breathtaking cinematic experience.

Streaming Release Date
May 16, 2023

Faster than winning Super Mario Kart with the title character is the home streaming release of Nintendo and Illumination Entertainment’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie! We reviewed the theatrical release (link), and it’s fun enough to revisit sooner than later with the kids, and this animated thrill ride blasts into homes tomorrow on digital platforms nationwide courtesy of Universal Pictures!

From the Press Release:

Showcasing an all-star lineup to voice the iconic pop culture characters, THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE stars Chris Pratt (Jurassic World franchise), Charlie Day (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Lego Movie), Anya Taylor-Joy (Last Night in Soho, The Queen’s Gambit), Keegan-Michael Key (Key & Peele), Seth Rogan (Neighbors, An American Pickle), Jack Black (Kung Fu Panda franchise) and Fred Armisen (“Wednesday,” Portlandia).

The movie tells the story of two Brooklyn plumbers who are brothers and best friends: Mario, the brave one with the “let’s-a go” attitude, and the perpetually anxious Luigi, who would prefer to go nowhere. We open with the Super Mario Brothers reckoning with their struggling plumbing business, and wind up in a whirlwind adventure through Mushroom Kingdom. Through their journey, we meet a cast of familiar, lovable characters, ultimately uniting together to defeat the power-hungry villain, Bowser. The Super Mario Bros. Movie takes what millions of gamers worldwide have loved for thirty-five years and levels it up to a new and breathtaking cinematic experience.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie Final Trailer

After Illumination Entertainment’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie, What’s Next is Far More Promising

Thankfully, these key intellectual properties show Illumination Entertainment is not giving up on those works that made this animation studio famous.

Chris Meledandri has plans for several franchises that Illumination Entertainment helped bring to pop culture. Ina recent interview with Variety, he talked to Brent Lang and Ethan Shanfeld about the future of Sing, Despicable Me and Secret Life of Pets. While the team is focussed on the release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, what’s being advertised as next is Migration.

“It represents Illumination’s ongoing commitment to telling original stories, which I think is essential to culture,” Meledandri said to Variety. The characters in this next feature is about ducks, that’s sure to not run afoul of critics. The response for the current film has so far been very mixed.

But what I am excited about is in the projects he’s involved in beyond his own studio. He also collaborates with DreamWorks Animation and Shrek might come back! In summary, the fifth movie is going to be a “reboot,” and it should bring back the original cast. This CEO said, “Talks are starting now, and every sign that we’ve gotten is there’s tremendous enthusiasm on behalf of the actors to return.”

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