Tag: Warner Bros. Animation

Why Be Scary When We Have Merry Little Batman Ready to Stream ‘Round the Corner?

Technically, Halloween and Christmas go hand in hand for spiritual activity. In Merry Little Batman, he’s ready for the next holiday instead of this one.

Merry Little Batman Amazon Prime PromoNobody should be surprised that news for what’s going to happen after Halloween is getting announced sooner than later! Merry Little Batman will be made available to stream on Prime Video beginning December 8 in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

This animated family action comedy destined to join the rogue’s gallery of classic holiday movies. When young Damian Wayne finds himself alone in Wayne Manor on Christmas Eve, he must transform into “Little Batman” in order to defend his home and Gotham City from the crooks and supervillains intent on destroying the holidays.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and based on characters from DC, Merry Little Batman features the voices of Yonas Kibreab, Luke Wilson, James Cromwell, and David Hornsby, and is directed by Mike Roth (Regular Show) from a screenplay by Morgan Evans (Teen Titans Go!) and Jase Ricci (Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham). Roth also serves as executive producer, alongside Sam Register (Looney Tunes cartoons).

Voice records and writing concluded prior to the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes.

Early Impressions – Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai and its Chinese Connection

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker design put behind Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai will no doubt have some fans of the film curious.

Gremlins Secrets of the Mogwai Promotional PosterComing to HBO Max on May 23

The teaser trailer to Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai is here, and what it sets up looks terrific! Not only will we look at Gizmo’s life prior to the films, but also we’ll get an origin story that looks at where they come from. Here, the ancient world of China comes alive through Sam Wing and this furry creature’s eyes. As for whether the fuzzball’s name remains the same in this prequel, I suspect not. The version we recall him as wasn’t given until the future.

The story is set in Shanghai in the 20s, and after discovering the “talking squirrel,” taking care of him won’t be easy. After a wealthy industrialist discovers the darker side of the rodent, the boy’s father says it’s best to take him home. The series will no doubt follow the youth’s journey into the countryside and as for whom he’ll meet, it’ll be a who’s who from Chinese folklore.

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An Animated Christmas Carol 12 Day Countdown to the Holidays

Thankfully, the animation medium has been kind in terms of how often Charles Dicken’s holiday classic has been reinterpreted. By my estimate, out of the many available to view versions that’s out there, I can make a list of my twelve favourite animated Christmas Carol adaptations.

A not so Animated Christmas Carol CoverThankfully, the animation medium has been kind in terms of how often Charles Dicken’s holiday classic has been reinterpreted. There isn’t that many when compared to how many times it’s been remade in live-action! By my estimate, out of the many versions that’s out there, I have a list of my twelve favourite animated Christmas Carol adaptations to enjoy every year. I have even included television specials. To be current, I considered Netflix’s animated release, Scrooge: A Christmas Carol, and unfortunately have to say this merry CGI musical is better off skipped.

Had Charles Dickens known about the legacy his tale had upon the entertainment industry, I’m sure the copyright law would have been changed to ensure his estate would get some payment. Sadly, his works are in the public domain. Thankfully, many productions acknowledge this author in the playbill, but in terms of his descendants getting royalties, I’m sure they’re all screaming, “bah, humbug!”

According to Collider.com, the earliest version is Marley’s Ghost (1901), directed by Walter R. Booth and produced by R.W. Paul. This work is impossible to find. Next is most likely Harold M. Shaw’s 1914 silent film short, and many more takes were made before Alastair Sim gave us the most beloved take with the 1951 motion picture. I have to give credit to the 1938 production; this actor made the character memorable, and he’s included in this list of animated works. They are ranked going from least to best:

The Stingiest Man in Town PosterThe Stingiest Man in Town
(Rankin/Bass, 1978)

This studio’s take is a departure from their cheerier stop-motion holiday works. In this earlier time, their holidays specials were on air every time December rolled around, and kids grew up watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman.

Although this work is a departure from style, and that the work was done at Topcraft, a Japanese animation studio, this title is worth noting because many of the animators would later be key staff members for Studio Ghibli! In regards to why this take is memorable is because of Tom Bosley. He lends his voice to play a bug named B. A. H. Humbug to narrate the story. Anyone who remembers this actor from Happy Days (He plays Howard Cunningham) will appreciate this take.

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The DC League of Super-Pets is All Bark, Little Bite

As for which team will save the day in The DC League of Super-Pets, that’s not too hard to guess.

DC League of Super-Pets

The DC League of Super-Pets isn’t anything spectacular when considering who is behind the attempt to deconstruct the Justice League. This movie is not as appealing for comic book fans, since its designed for kids to enjoy.

I didn’t feel the need to watch this movie right away. Not even Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson can convince his legions of fans to see this film since he’s in the starring role. He voices Krypto, Superman’s ever faithful canine. When his master (John Krasinski) is ready to propose to Lois (Olivia Wilde), the dog feels underappreciated and gets jealous.

The writing team of Jared Stern and John Whittington have crafted a better tale than LEGO Batman because it’s not pandering. I had to chuckle as his chunky physique, and that’s not because he’s overweight. All the superheroes are redesigned to look like caricatures of what they represent. Unlike Ninjago the Movie, the dialogue isn’t as juvenile. What’s developed here is more natural, and shows some understanding of the lore from the comics.

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A New Team is Coming with DC League of Super-Pets

The recently released trailer for DC League of Super Pets has a slight Secret Life of Pets vibe to it, and this approach may work just to indicate this add-on is non canon.

DC League of Super-Pets (2022) - IMDbComing to Theatres
May 20, 2022

Next year, the DC Animated universe will look at a side of superhero life not often explored. It’s about time we get to meet Krypto, the Super-Dog who has sporadically been by Superboy’s side in the comics (rather than the man) and not so much in the live-action front. The recently released trailer has a slight Secret Life of Pets vibe to it and it can work well to draw in new viewers.

Dwayne Johnson stars as the voice this canine in Warner Bros. Pictures’ animated action adventure feature film DC League of Super-Pets.

In this movie, Krypto the Super-Dog and Superman are inseparable best friends, sharing the same superpowers and fighting crime in Metropolis side by side. When Superman and the rest of the Justice League are kidnapped, Krypto must convince a rag-tag shelter pack—Ace the hound, PB the potbellied pig, Merton the turtle and Chip the squirrel—to master their own newfound powers and help him rescue the superheroes.

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