Laugh about History
After watching The Lego Movie earlier this year, I knew the competition was going to be stiff in the animation department. Increasingly, it seems that modern animations are looking to entertain youthful audiences with well-timed, incoherent babble than clever witticisms. Mr. Peabody & Sherman harken back to an era in animation when more value was placed on carefully crafted humor. Disney seems to be the only animation generator that consistently delivers a product that is in tune with this notion, but Mr. Peabody & Sherman aren't too shabby themselves.
Ty Burrell is really coming into his own since gaining critical recognition for his work on Modern Family, and it's nice to see that he can use his voice to portray a character distinctly unique from the familial Phil Dunphy. Max Charles, continuing his development as a child star, does quite well to portray Sherman. Both Burrell and Charles are hilariously complemented by the likes of Stephen Colbert, Leslie Mann, Stanley Tucci, and best of all, Patrick Warburton. Of course, the fear with big-name comedic animations such as these is the revealing of too much humor in the previews, but the film itself goes above and beyond. Fans of the original cartoon will be happy to know that this film indeed does the Ted Key brainchild justice.
It is difficult for me to get too invested in this animation, but I do not feel this is an isolated incident. Increasingly, cartoons are starting to lose their appeal. Did it help that I was in a theater full of 10 year olds? Probably not. However, I'm finding it difficult to invest myself in these movies (other than Disney, of course). Darn, looks like I'm growing up after all. On that same train of thought, I have really been complaining about crowded theaters and rude theater patrons lately. So, if any Regal or AMC executives are reading this, please step up ushering duties.
Worth the time and money, but don't set your expectations too high. If you love history as much as I do, you will not be disappointed.
Written March 25, 2014
Ty Burrell is really coming into his own since gaining critical recognition for his work on Modern Family, and it's nice to see that he can use his voice to portray a character distinctly unique from the familial Phil Dunphy. Max Charles, continuing his development as a child star, does quite well to portray Sherman. Both Burrell and Charles are hilariously complemented by the likes of Stephen Colbert, Leslie Mann, Stanley Tucci, and best of all, Patrick Warburton. Of course, the fear with big-name comedic animations such as these is the revealing of too much humor in the previews, but the film itself goes above and beyond. Fans of the original cartoon will be happy to know that this film indeed does the Ted Key brainchild justice.
It is difficult for me to get too invested in this animation, but I do not feel this is an isolated incident. Increasingly, cartoons are starting to lose their appeal. Did it help that I was in a theater full of 10 year olds? Probably not. However, I'm finding it difficult to invest myself in these movies (other than Disney, of course). Darn, looks like I'm growing up after all. On that same train of thought, I have really been complaining about crowded theaters and rude theater patrons lately. So, if any Regal or AMC executives are reading this, please step up ushering duties.
Worth the time and money, but don't set your expectations too high. If you love history as much as I do, you will not be disappointed.
Written March 25, 2014