Paramount Sets ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ and John Krasinski-Directed Ryan Reynolds Film ‘If’ for 2024
Paramount has announced a few updates to its release calendar, delaying upcoming projects like its “A Quiet Place” entry and the John Krasinski-directed “If” by a few months.
“A Quiet Place: Day One,” which had previously been untitled, will hit theaters on March 8, 2024. The Michael Sarnoski-directed horror film had been set to bow on Sept. 22, 2023.
Michael Bay, Andrew Form, Brad Fuller and John Krasinski serve as producers on the film, while Allyson Seeger serves as an executive producer. Plot details on the sequel remain under wraps, though the newly announced title suggests a prequel of sorts to the post-apocalyptic series.
The studio’s upcoming film “If,” directed by John Krasinski and starring Ryan Reynolds. The production has set a new release date of May 24, 2024, after previously being set for Nov. 17, 2023. Krasinski also stars in the film, while the supporting cast includes names such as Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Cailey Fleming,...
“A Quiet Place: Day One,” which had previously been untitled, will hit theaters on March 8, 2024. The Michael Sarnoski-directed horror film had been set to bow on Sept. 22, 2023.
Michael Bay, Andrew Form, Brad Fuller and John Krasinski serve as producers on the film, while Allyson Seeger serves as an executive producer. Plot details on the sequel remain under wraps, though the newly announced title suggests a prequel of sorts to the post-apocalyptic series.
The studio’s upcoming film “If,” directed by John Krasinski and starring Ryan Reynolds. The production has set a new release date of May 24, 2024, after previously being set for Nov. 17, 2023. Krasinski also stars in the film, while the supporting cast includes names such as Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Cailey Fleming,...
- 7/20/2022
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Crazy Rich Asians star Henry Golding will be the lead voiceover in Paramount Animation’s The Tiger’s Apprentice based on Lawrence Yep’s 2003 bestselling novel.
The feature, currently schedule for a Feb. 11, 2022 release date, will rep the directorial debut of Pixar animator Carlos Baena.
Pic, adapted by David Magee, Harry Cripps, Kyle Jarrow follows Tom, a teenage Chinese American boy, who learns that he is the Guardian of the Chinese Zodiac. Golding will voice Mr. Hu, a talking tiger who takes Tom under his wing and protection. Jane Starz and Sandra Rabins are producing. Raman Hui and Kane Lee are EPs.
The feature, currently schedule for a Feb. 11, 2022 release date, will rep the directorial debut of Pixar animator Carlos Baena.
Pic, adapted by David Magee, Harry Cripps, Kyle Jarrow follows Tom, a teenage Chinese American boy, who learns that he is the Guardian of the Chinese Zodiac. Golding will voice Mr. Hu, a talking tiger who takes Tom under his wing and protection. Jane Starz and Sandra Rabins are producing. Raman Hui and Kane Lee are EPs.
- 7/16/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Henry Golding, a breakout from Crazy Rich Asians, has been tapped to play the lead role in The Tiger's Apprentice, the adaptation of the best-selling children's book from Paramount Animation.
The move puts Paramount back in the Golding business and can be seen as an affirmation of Snake Eyes, the studio's relaunch of the G.I. Joe franchise that sees the actor topline the upcoming spinoff.
Carlos Baena, a Pixar animator who worked on Wall-e and Toy Story 3, is making his feature directing debut with Apprentice. Sandra Rabins and Jane Startz are producing. Raman Hui and Kane Lee are exec producing.
The book,...
The move puts Paramount back in the Golding business and can be seen as an affirmation of Snake Eyes, the studio's relaunch of the G.I. Joe franchise that sees the actor topline the upcoming spinoff.
Carlos Baena, a Pixar animator who worked on Wall-e and Toy Story 3, is making his feature directing debut with Apprentice. Sandra Rabins and Jane Startz are producing. Raman Hui and Kane Lee are exec producing.
The book,...
- 7/15/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Henry Golding, a breakout from Crazy Rich Asians, has been tapped to play the lead role in The Tiger's Apprentice, the adaptation of the best-selling children's book from Paramount Animation.
The move puts Paramount back in the Golding business and can be seen as an affirmation of Snake Eyes, the studio's relaunch of the G.I. Joe franchise that sees the actor topline the upcoming spinoff.
Carlos Baena, a Pixar animator who worked on Wall-e and Toy Story 3, is making his feature directing debut with Apprentice. Sandra Rabins and Jane Startz are producing. Raman Hui and Kane Lee are exec producing.
The book,...
The move puts Paramount back in the Golding business and can be seen as an affirmation of Snake Eyes, the studio's relaunch of the G.I. Joe franchise that sees the actor topline the upcoming spinoff.
Carlos Baena, a Pixar animator who worked on Wall-e and Toy Story 3, is making his feature directing debut with Apprentice. Sandra Rabins and Jane Startz are producing. Raman Hui and Kane Lee are exec producing.
The book,...
- 7/15/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mamoru Hosoda’s “Mirai” will open the second Animation Is Film Festival, slated for Oct. 19-21 at Hollywood’s Tcl Chinese Theatre. Hosoda will attend the screening, which will be the North American premiere of the film, which debuted in Cannes.
“Mirai” is also among the initial films in competition announced by the festival, produced by independent animation distributor GKids in partnership with animation festival Annecy, Fathom Events and Variety.
Other competition titles hail from all over the world and include “Another Day of Life,” “Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles,” “Funan,” “I Want to Eat Your Pancreas,” “Okko’s Inn,” “Pachamama,” “Penguin Highway,” “Ruben Brandt, Collector,” “Seder-Masochism,” and “Tito and the Birds.”
The Animation Is Film jury will once again be presided over by Variety chief film critic Peter Debruge, who will be joined by Warner Animation Group Evp Allison Abbate, NBA star and now Oscar winner Kobe Bryant,...
“Mirai” is also among the initial films in competition announced by the festival, produced by independent animation distributor GKids in partnership with animation festival Annecy, Fathom Events and Variety.
Other competition titles hail from all over the world and include “Another Day of Life,” “Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles,” “Funan,” “I Want to Eat Your Pancreas,” “Okko’s Inn,” “Pachamama,” “Penguin Highway,” “Ruben Brandt, Collector,” “Seder-Masochism,” and “Tito and the Birds.”
The Animation Is Film jury will once again be presided over by Variety chief film critic Peter Debruge, who will be joined by Warner Animation Group Evp Allison Abbate, NBA star and now Oscar winner Kobe Bryant,...
- 9/19/2018
- by Terry Flores
- Variety Film + TV
Keep up with the wild and wooly world of indie film acquisitions with our weekly Rundown of everything that’s been picked up around the globe. Check out last week’s Rundown here.
– The Orchard has acquired the rights to “Kings,” the drama starring Halle Berry and Daniel Craig and directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven, Deadline reports. The film focuses on a foster family in South Central a few weeks before the city erupts in violence following the verdict of the Rodney King trial in 1992.
Ergüven previously directed “Mustang,” which received an Oscar nomination in 2015 for Best Foreign Language Film. Charles Gilbert and Vincent Maraval served as the producers on “Kings.”
Read More: Film Acquisition Rundown: IFC Films Picks up ‘Sweet Virginia,’ Oscilloscope Buys ‘Song of Granite’ and More
– Lionsgate has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the crime-thriller “Dragged Across Concrete” The film will be released by the...
– The Orchard has acquired the rights to “Kings,” the drama starring Halle Berry and Daniel Craig and directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven, Deadline reports. The film focuses on a foster family in South Central a few weeks before the city erupts in violence following the verdict of the Rodney King trial in 1992.
Ergüven previously directed “Mustang,” which received an Oscar nomination in 2015 for Best Foreign Language Film. Charles Gilbert and Vincent Maraval served as the producers on “Kings.”
Read More: Film Acquisition Rundown: IFC Films Picks up ‘Sweet Virginia,’ Oscilloscope Buys ‘Song of Granite’ and More
– Lionsgate has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to the crime-thriller “Dragged Across Concrete” The film will be released by the...
- 5/19/2017
- by Graham Winfrey
- Indiewire
Open Road Films has acquired U.S. rights to the animated family comedy “Duck Duck Goose,” featuring the voices of Zendaya, Jim Gaffigan and Lance Lim, from Original Force. The announcement was made Wednesday by Tom Ortenberg, CEO of Open Road Films and Harley Zhao, President and CEO of Original Force. Original Force produced and financed the animated film. “Duck Duck Goose” is directed by Christopher Jenkins and written by Jenkins and Rob Muir. Penney Finkelman Cox and Sandra Rabins produced. Also Read: Zendaya Says Vons Grocery Store Clerk Refused Her Service Because of 'Skin Tone' The film follows a high-flying bachelor goose named.
- 5/17/2017
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Voice cast also includes Jim Gaffigan, Zendaya, Lance Lim, Greg Proops and Carl Reiner.
China’s Original Force Animation has appointed Gfm Animation and Gfm Films to handle international sales on their first wholly owned animated feature at the Efm.
Original Force Animation co-presidents Sandra Rabins and Penney Finkelman Cox will present extended footage in Berlin next month.
Home and Surf’s Up producer Christopher Jenkins co-wrote and directs the story about a loner goose that rescues two ducklings and sets off to return them to their flock.
The film is in production in time for an anticipated early 2018 release and features a voice cast that includes Jim Gaffigan, Zendaya, Lance Lim, Greg Proops, Carl Reiner and Stephen Fry.
Rabins and Cox made Tuesday’s announcement with Original Force Animation founder and CEO Harley Zhao.
China’s Original Force Animation has appointed Gfm Animation and Gfm Films to handle international sales on their first wholly owned animated feature at the Efm.
Original Force Animation co-presidents Sandra Rabins and Penney Finkelman Cox will present extended footage in Berlin next month.
Home and Surf’s Up producer Christopher Jenkins co-wrote and directs the story about a loner goose that rescues two ducklings and sets off to return them to their flock.
The film is in production in time for an anticipated early 2018 release and features a voice cast that includes Jim Gaffigan, Zendaya, Lance Lim, Greg Proops, Carl Reiner and Stephen Fry.
Rabins and Cox made Tuesday’s announcement with Original Force Animation founder and CEO Harley Zhao.
- 1/31/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
China’s Original Force Animation has appointed Gfm Animation and Gfm Films to handle international sales on their first wholly owned animated feature at the Efm.
Original Force Animation co-presidents Sandra Rabins and Penney Finkelman Cox will present extended footage in Berlin next month.
Home and Surf’s Up producer Christopher Jenkins co-wrote and directs the story about a loner goose that rescues two ducklings and sets off to return them to their flock.
The film is in production in time for an anticipated early 2018 release and features a voice cast that includes Jim Gaffigan, Zendaya, Lance Lim, Greg Proops, Carl Reiner and Stephen Fry.
Rabins and Cox made Tuesday’s announcement with Original Force Animation founder and CEO Harley Zhao.
Original Force Animation co-presidents Sandra Rabins and Penney Finkelman Cox will present extended footage in Berlin next month.
Home and Surf’s Up producer Christopher Jenkins co-wrote and directs the story about a loner goose that rescues two ducklings and sets off to return them to their flock.
The film is in production in time for an anticipated early 2018 release and features a voice cast that includes Jim Gaffigan, Zendaya, Lance Lim, Greg Proops, Carl Reiner and Stephen Fry.
Rabins and Cox made Tuesday’s announcement with Original Force Animation founder and CEO Harley Zhao.
- 1/31/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Jim Gaffigan and comedy legend Carl Reiner have joined the voice cast of Original Force Animation’s first animated feature “Duck Duck Goose,” while Mark Isham has come on to compose the score, it was announced Tuesday by the company’s co-presidents Sandra Rabins and Penney Finkelman Cox. Gaffigan will voice one of the leads, a rebellious yet lovable goose named Peng, who rescues two young ducklings, Chi and Chao (Zendaya and Lance Lim), from an eccentric but deadly cat named Banzou (Greg Proops). Reiner will voice a wise turtle named Larry. The cast also includes Stephen Fry, Jennifer Grey,...
- 2/2/2016
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
The Chinese animation studio has launched a Los Angeles-based production office and brought on industry veterans and longtime producing partners Sandra Rabins and Penney Finkelman Cox.
Original Force president and founder Harley Zhao (pictured, centre) told guests at a party in Downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday evening that the company has started production on three features and will aim produce at least one CG film approximately every 18 months.
Rabins (pictured at far left) and Finkelman Cox (pictured at far right) will serve as co-presidents of Original Force Animation and are partners with Zhao on the newly launched animated feature division.
The new arrivals launched Sony Pictures Animation in 2002 and have deep ties to DreamWorks Animation. They have overseen such titles as Shrek, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs and Open Season and have begun to assemble their team for the inaugural slate.
Meanwhile Peter Adee, formerly president of marketing at Universal Pictures and MGM, is consulting...
Original Force president and founder Harley Zhao (pictured, centre) told guests at a party in Downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday evening that the company has started production on three features and will aim produce at least one CG film approximately every 18 months.
Rabins (pictured at far left) and Finkelman Cox (pictured at far right) will serve as co-presidents of Original Force Animation and are partners with Zhao on the newly launched animated feature division.
The new arrivals launched Sony Pictures Animation in 2002 and have deep ties to DreamWorks Animation. They have overseen such titles as Shrek, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs and Open Season and have begun to assemble their team for the inaugural slate.
Meanwhile Peter Adee, formerly president of marketing at Universal Pictures and MGM, is consulting...
- 8/13/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The Chinese animation studio has launched a Los Angeles-based production office and brought on industry veterans and longtime producing partners Sandra Rabins and Penney Finkelman Cox.
Original Force president and founder Harley Zhao (pictured, centre) told guests at a party in Downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday evening that the company has started production on three features and will aim produce at least one CG film approximately every 18 months.
Rabins (pictured at far left) and Finkelman Cox (pictured at far right) will serve as co-presidents of Original Force Animation and are partners with Zhao on the newly launched animated feature division.
The new arrivals launched Sony Pictures Animation in 2002 and have deep ties to DreamWorks Animation. They have overseen such titles as Shrek, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs and Open Season and have begun to assemble their team for the inaugural slate.
Meanwhile Peter Adee, formerly president of marketing at Universal Pictures and MGM, is consulting...
Original Force president and founder Harley Zhao (pictured, centre) told guests at a party in Downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday evening that the company has started production on three features and will aim produce at least one CG film approximately every 18 months.
Rabins (pictured at far left) and Finkelman Cox (pictured at far right) will serve as co-presidents of Original Force Animation and are partners with Zhao on the newly launched animated feature division.
The new arrivals launched Sony Pictures Animation in 2002 and have deep ties to DreamWorks Animation. They have overseen such titles as Shrek, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs and Open Season and have begun to assemble their team for the inaugural slate.
Meanwhile Peter Adee, formerly president of marketing at Universal Pictures and MGM, is consulting...
- 8/13/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Chinese digital animation studio Original Force has established a motion picture division, and production has begun on three original animated features. In support of the new projects, the company has launched a production office in Los Angeles, and has hired veteran animation executives Sandra Rabins and Penney Finkelman Cox to head up Original Force Animation from L.A.. The two will serve as co-presidents of Original Force Animation, and are partnering with Original…...
- 8/13/2015
- Deadline
China’s Original Force Animation is expanding into feature films, having named Hollywood veterans Sandra Rabins and Penney Finkelman Cox co-presidents and opened a Los Angeles office, company founder and president Harley Zhao said Wednesday. Rabins and Finkelman Cox, who were instrumental in the launch of DreamWorks’ and Sony’s animation arms, yielding blockbusters “Shrek,” “Prince of Egypt” and “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs,” said Original Force’s goal is to deliver a computer-generated animated film every 18 months. The company’s foray into features is the latest example of China’s burgeoning film industry muscling into a sector dominated by American companies for decades,...
- 8/13/2015
- by Todd Cunningham
- The Wrap
Bob Osher will succeed Yair Landau as president of the Digital Production division of Sony Pictures Entertainment. Additionally, Hannah Minghella was named president of production at Sony Pictures Animation.
Landau is leaving Sony in April to begin a new games and animation venture. Osher joined Sony Pictures in 2004, and has been serving as COO of the Columbia Pictures Motion Picture Group; he will continue to have oversight over his current areas of responsibility within that group.
The Digital Production division, formerly known as Sony Pictures Digital, comprises visual effects unit Imageworks and Sony Pictures Animation. Sony Online Entertainment is moving from Sony Pictures Digital to Sony Computer Entertainment.
In 2007, SPE generated attention when it retained an investment bank to place a value on Imageworks and Sony Pictures Animation. "There were discussions about selling Imageworks. Strategically, we made a decision to take that off the table," Osher said. "We think it is a terrific business to be in."
Imageworks president Tim Sarnoff and Minghella will report to Osher. Sandra Rabins, who had been in charge of Sony Pictures Animation as senior executive vp, will return to her roots as a producer and continue working with Sony Pictures Animation in that capacity.
Landau is leaving Sony in April to begin a new games and animation venture. Osher joined Sony Pictures in 2004, and has been serving as COO of the Columbia Pictures Motion Picture Group; he will continue to have oversight over his current areas of responsibility within that group.
The Digital Production division, formerly known as Sony Pictures Digital, comprises visual effects unit Imageworks and Sony Pictures Animation. Sony Online Entertainment is moving from Sony Pictures Digital to Sony Computer Entertainment.
In 2007, SPE generated attention when it retained an investment bank to place a value on Imageworks and Sony Pictures Animation. "There were discussions about selling Imageworks. Strategically, we made a decision to take that off the table," Osher said. "We think it is a terrific business to be in."
Imageworks president Tim Sarnoff and Minghella will report to Osher. Sandra Rabins, who had been in charge of Sony Pictures Animation as senior executive vp, will return to her roots as a producer and continue working with Sony Pictures Animation in that capacity.
- 3/15/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sony Pictures Animation's Penney Finkelman Cox is exiting her post as executive vp to become a producer for the label.
During her five-year tenure, the former DreamWorks Animation exec put together the fledgling division's development slate alongside longtime partner and fellow SPA executive vp Sandra Rabins. The pair scored a success with the label's first outing, "Open Season", which grossed $187 million worldwide and enjoyed a smash DVD release this month.
But Finkelman Cox's departure from the executive ranks comes amid mounting concerns about the dearth of product to feed Sony's growing animation pipeline. Although SPA will release the promising penguin movie "Surf's Up" on June 8, there are no films scheduled for immediate release beyond that. The studio has experienced delays on "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs," one of its two films in production. The other is "Hotel Transylvania". Both are penciled in for 2009 release.
Rabins will continue in her post as executive vp, reporting to Yair Landau, Sony Pictures Digital president and Sony Pictures Entertainment vice chairman.
During her five-year tenure, the former DreamWorks Animation exec put together the fledgling division's development slate alongside longtime partner and fellow SPA executive vp Sandra Rabins. The pair scored a success with the label's first outing, "Open Season", which grossed $187 million worldwide and enjoyed a smash DVD release this month.
But Finkelman Cox's departure from the executive ranks comes amid mounting concerns about the dearth of product to feed Sony's growing animation pipeline. Although SPA will release the promising penguin movie "Surf's Up" on June 8, there are no films scheduled for immediate release beyond that. The studio has experienced delays on "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs," one of its two films in production. The other is "Hotel Transylvania". Both are penciled in for 2009 release.
Rabins will continue in her post as executive vp, reporting to Yair Landau, Sony Pictures Digital president and Sony Pictures Entertainment vice chairman.
- 2/11/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Nate Hopper has been upped to senior vp creative affairs at Sony Pictures Animation, the company said Monday. "From the day we opened our doors three years ago, Nate has been instrumental in building our slate of films, especially our first two films, 'Open Season' and 'Surf's Up, ' " executive vps Penney Finkelman Cox and Sandra Rabins said in a statement. "He has a wonderful sense of story and humor and a superb sensitivity for writers and material. Nate's ability to develop quality material will ensure that we have a very robust pipeline of films." Hopper, who manages the day-to-day process of developing internal and external projects for Sony Pictures Animation, played a key role in setting up the division's first two productions.
- 8/22/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A year after its creation, Sony Pictures Animation has unveiled its initial development slate, featuring five CG-animated projects to be spearheaded by a group of directors whose past work includes such blockbusters as "The Lion King", "Monsters, Inc". and "Shrek". The projects include adaptations of the cartoon "Open Season" and the children's book "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs," the Celtic folk ballad-inspired "Tam Lin", a "Romeo and Juliet"-inspired story called "Surf's Up!" and a feature-length version of the Academy Award-winning short film "The ChubbChubbs!" Sony executive vps Sandra Rabins and Penney Finkelman Cox, who head up the fledgling division, stressed that the eclectic development slate is a reflection of their vision for the studio. "Our goal was to find unique voices that had stories to tell," Rabins said. "We're not trying to brand Sony animation as revolving around one type of storyteller or one type of story, and we don't want to develop just one look which all our films share. Our hope is that each movie will be very unique."...
The 5-month-old Sony Pictures Animation has announced its first animated feature film pickup as executive vps Penney Finkelman Cox and Sandra Rabins tapped screenwriter Gary Scott Thompson to develop a script based on his story idea. "Gary was one of the first meetings we took, and he pitched us the idea of a story set in the mythical land of Shangri-La," Rabins said. "I looked at Penney and knew the project had great potential." Thompson's story, for which he is writing a treatment, revolves around two dogs that are brothers. On their journey, the canine kin consider the question, "If you could live forever, would you?" Finkelman Cox said the story line is closely related to Frank Capra's Lost Horizon.
- 10/22/2002
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A weak ant can carry 10 times its own weight, but this computer-animated "Antz" is no weakling -- it should carry thousands of times its own heft in enjoyment and success at the boxoffice.
The first coupling in DreamWorks and PDI's partnership in animation, this marvelously enjoyable feature animation not only was a towering delight at the Toronto International Film Festival, it represents a giant leap forward in the aesthetic of computer-animated entertainment.
If you can say nothing else for animation (computer-generated or hand-drawn), the mere fact that the process can line up such a disparate cast of characters as Woody Allen, Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone, Anne Bancroft and Gene Hackman for one production is a novelty. In this brainy creation, these players' voices bring distinct personality to a winning and sobering storyline.
"Antz" centers around Z (Allen), not surprisingly a neurotic and self-absorbed insect who is not cut out to be a worker. Slogging away underground moving dirt with millions of his peers is not the hyper Z's idea of fulfillment. Surely there has to be more to life than serving the state, Z surmises. There must be a better place.
To Z's surprise and glee, he spots a female ant who makes his many legs buckle. Unfortunately, she's Princess Bala (Stone) and way out of his league, but Z manages to convince his soldier friend Weaver (Stallone) to switch places with him so that he might have a shot at seeing the princess again at a military inspection. One hyperventilating thing leads to another and before he can say "social revolution," Z has unwittingly whisked the princess away and kindled a new spirit of enthusiasm among his fellow workers.
Although foremost and always a wonderfully entertaining story, "Antz" also carries an inspiring message. In its depiction of Z's discontent with the conformity of the colony and his need for personal expression, it's a shrewd laceration of the fascist state and the totalitarian mindset. Screenwriters Todd Alcott, Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz have nimbly juggled deep ideas with zany comedy.
The power of computer animation is not exercised just for showmanship here, but magnifies the story line through appropriate usage. Aesthetically, a number of computer-animated crowd scenes of massive Red Square/Nuremberg/Shanghai proportion are daunting as the filmmakers marshal spectacular numbers of animated characters into sequences of colossal proportion. The sheer number of these characters, marching in perfect phalanx, etc., is overwhelming and makes us feel the monstrous oppression of such formidable orders.
Under directors Eric Darnell and Tim Johnson's inventive hands, the character ants are packed with personality. No mere caricatures of the players, each character is etched with droll exactitude. Moreover, the 3-D like quality with which the process imbues them seems to bring them even more to life. Their vitality and appeal is in no small part due to the flavorful voicings of the cast.
As the distressed and unwittingly heroic Z, Woody Allen's shrill, nasal twang evokes memories of his overly-intellectual neurotic persona. He's a perfect selection for this story's juicy ironic thrust, that a social revolution would be lead by a generally cowardly, non-physical type and motivated solely by self-interest.
Sylvester Stallone's clipped cadence and good-hearted tones infuse his soldier character with just the right amount of humanity, while Sharon Stone's princess combination is just right -- spoiled and sexy. Giving stentorian finality to the role of the evil empire-builder Gen. Mandible is Gene Hackman. Hackman's growlings would scare the pants off Mussolini.
Other voices of distinction include: Jennifer Lopez as a blue-collar ant, Anne Bancroft as the colony's queen, Danny Glover as a soldier-drone and Christopher Walken as a consummate soldier.
While "Antz" is first and foremost a visual treat, its music is a jaunty and delicious accompaniment, from the playful score of composers Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell to the witty inclusion of such standards as "High Hopes", warbled by Doris Day, no less.
ANTZ
DreamWorks Distribution
DreamWorks Pictures and PDI Present
Producers: Brad Lewis, Aron Warner, Patty Wooton
Directors: Eric Darnell, Tim Johnson
Executive producers: Penney Finkelman Cox, Sandra Rabins, Carl Rosendahl
Screenwriters: Todd Alcott, Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
Music: Harry Gregson-Williams, John Powell
Production designer: John Bell
Art director: Kendal Cronkhite
Editor: Stan Webb
Lead character designer: Raman Hui
Supervising animator: Rex Grignon
Color/stereo
Z: Woody Allen
Chip: Dan Aykroyd
Queen: Anne Bancroft
Muffy: Jane Curtin
Barbatus: Danny Glover
Mandible: Gene Hackman
Azteca: Jennifer Lopez
Drunk Scout: John Mahoney
Psychologist: Paul Mazursky
Foreman: Grant Shaud
Weaver: Sylvester Stallone
Bala: Sharon Stone
Cutter: Christopher Walken
Running time -- 77 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
The first coupling in DreamWorks and PDI's partnership in animation, this marvelously enjoyable feature animation not only was a towering delight at the Toronto International Film Festival, it represents a giant leap forward in the aesthetic of computer-animated entertainment.
If you can say nothing else for animation (computer-generated or hand-drawn), the mere fact that the process can line up such a disparate cast of characters as Woody Allen, Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone, Anne Bancroft and Gene Hackman for one production is a novelty. In this brainy creation, these players' voices bring distinct personality to a winning and sobering storyline.
"Antz" centers around Z (Allen), not surprisingly a neurotic and self-absorbed insect who is not cut out to be a worker. Slogging away underground moving dirt with millions of his peers is not the hyper Z's idea of fulfillment. Surely there has to be more to life than serving the state, Z surmises. There must be a better place.
To Z's surprise and glee, he spots a female ant who makes his many legs buckle. Unfortunately, she's Princess Bala (Stone) and way out of his league, but Z manages to convince his soldier friend Weaver (Stallone) to switch places with him so that he might have a shot at seeing the princess again at a military inspection. One hyperventilating thing leads to another and before he can say "social revolution," Z has unwittingly whisked the princess away and kindled a new spirit of enthusiasm among his fellow workers.
Although foremost and always a wonderfully entertaining story, "Antz" also carries an inspiring message. In its depiction of Z's discontent with the conformity of the colony and his need for personal expression, it's a shrewd laceration of the fascist state and the totalitarian mindset. Screenwriters Todd Alcott, Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz have nimbly juggled deep ideas with zany comedy.
The power of computer animation is not exercised just for showmanship here, but magnifies the story line through appropriate usage. Aesthetically, a number of computer-animated crowd scenes of massive Red Square/Nuremberg/Shanghai proportion are daunting as the filmmakers marshal spectacular numbers of animated characters into sequences of colossal proportion. The sheer number of these characters, marching in perfect phalanx, etc., is overwhelming and makes us feel the monstrous oppression of such formidable orders.
Under directors Eric Darnell and Tim Johnson's inventive hands, the character ants are packed with personality. No mere caricatures of the players, each character is etched with droll exactitude. Moreover, the 3-D like quality with which the process imbues them seems to bring them even more to life. Their vitality and appeal is in no small part due to the flavorful voicings of the cast.
As the distressed and unwittingly heroic Z, Woody Allen's shrill, nasal twang evokes memories of his overly-intellectual neurotic persona. He's a perfect selection for this story's juicy ironic thrust, that a social revolution would be lead by a generally cowardly, non-physical type and motivated solely by self-interest.
Sylvester Stallone's clipped cadence and good-hearted tones infuse his soldier character with just the right amount of humanity, while Sharon Stone's princess combination is just right -- spoiled and sexy. Giving stentorian finality to the role of the evil empire-builder Gen. Mandible is Gene Hackman. Hackman's growlings would scare the pants off Mussolini.
Other voices of distinction include: Jennifer Lopez as a blue-collar ant, Anne Bancroft as the colony's queen, Danny Glover as a soldier-drone and Christopher Walken as a consummate soldier.
While "Antz" is first and foremost a visual treat, its music is a jaunty and delicious accompaniment, from the playful score of composers Harry Gregson-Williams and John Powell to the witty inclusion of such standards as "High Hopes", warbled by Doris Day, no less.
ANTZ
DreamWorks Distribution
DreamWorks Pictures and PDI Present
Producers: Brad Lewis, Aron Warner, Patty Wooton
Directors: Eric Darnell, Tim Johnson
Executive producers: Penney Finkelman Cox, Sandra Rabins, Carl Rosendahl
Screenwriters: Todd Alcott, Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
Music: Harry Gregson-Williams, John Powell
Production designer: John Bell
Art director: Kendal Cronkhite
Editor: Stan Webb
Lead character designer: Raman Hui
Supervising animator: Rex Grignon
Color/stereo
Z: Woody Allen
Chip: Dan Aykroyd
Queen: Anne Bancroft
Muffy: Jane Curtin
Barbatus: Danny Glover
Mandible: Gene Hackman
Azteca: Jennifer Lopez
Drunk Scout: John Mahoney
Psychologist: Paul Mazursky
Foreman: Grant Shaud
Weaver: Sylvester Stallone
Bala: Sharon Stone
Cutter: Christopher Walken
Running time -- 77 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
- 9/21/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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