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The Bad Guys: Bad Guys Steals Your Heart

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The film may be called The Bad Guys, it’s definitely filled with good fun.

For many years, The Bad Guys have been the world’s most wanted criminals. Led by dashing pickpocket Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell), the team is highly skilled and impossible to catch. However, when their biggest heist ever goes wrong and the team gets caught, Mr. Wolf concocts a new plan. In order to save them all from prison, this crew of Bad Guys promise to go good. Allowing themselves to be trained by the adorable guinea pig Professor Marmalade (Richard Ayoade), Mr. Wolf and his crew work towards redemption but also secretly intend on using their new reputations as heroes to their benefit as thieves. But will they be able to follow through with their plan? Or will these Bad Guys see the benefits of becoming good guys after all?

Directed by Pierre Perifel, The Bad Guys is a fast and furry-ous trip outside the law. Based on Aaron Blabey’s children’s books of the same name, Bad Guys pops with lovable characters, stunning animation and genuine fun. Pulling in the charm of the Ocean’s Eleven crew, this crew of misfits has some enjoyable chemistry and fun exploits on screen that invigorates the franchise with life. Featuring some solid voice work by Sam Rockwell, Awkwafina, Marc Maron, Craig Robinson and more, the characters have an energy and likability about them that makes them endearing. This enthusiasm is especially noteworthy in Rockwell who seems to be having more fun than he’s had in years as the sly and scheming Mr. Wolf. (It’s also worth noting that any comparisons to the Ocean’s franchise are absolutely intentional. Not only was Aquafina involved in Ocean’s 8, Mr. Wolf’s attempt to charm the police chief is referred to as going “full Clooney“.) 

Unraveling like the pages of a children’s book at story time, the variety and style of the visuals also gives Bad Guys an extra pop that makes it feel different than other current animated fare. Like other companies such as Pixar and Illumination, the film makes use of CGI animation yet the style feels entirely unique. At times, Bad Guys feels like a water colour illustration. However, in other moments, the film exhibits wildly different influences, ranging from anime to stop-motion animation. 

At its heart, The Bad Guys is [obviously] a film about what it means to be a good guy. As the film begins, we know instantly that these are expert thieves who are the top of their craft. Even so, as the crew attempt to manipulate the public by convincing them that they’ve changed their ways, they begin to discover the joys of helping people. The shivers down their spine that they experience when they do good deeds reveals an almost physical joy that comes from putting your own needs aside to help others. Hated for their appearance, they decide that, if everyone thinks they’re bad, they might as well be.

Interestingly, Bad Guys also recognizes that toxicity of stereotyping (and, potentially, even racially profiling) others. While these Bad Guys definitely do bad things, they do so almost as a result of the expectations of others. Hated by the general public simply for being a wolf, snake, spider and more, they begin to lean into the characters created for them by others. 

After all, a wolf must mean that he’s big and bad, right? 

Though they start out by trying to make friends, public perception presses these characters down until they believe they can be nothing less than villains. In fact, it’s only as others begin to feed positive messages into their heart that they realize that they can live up to their potential. In this way, Bad Guys demonstrates the power of encouraging and supportive voices to those in need, especially when others are doing the opposite. 

Now on 4K and Blu-ray, its worth noting that the animation especially pops on your home entertainment. Though, admittedly, the disc contains some surprisingly solid features that make it worth the purchase. While the disc includes the traditional fare of ‘making-of’ featurettes, the additional animated short, Maraschino Ruby, is cute and Snakes Frozen Pop Shop provides some simple fun for the family. But, sound the alarm! Easily the best feature is its full-length commentary which contains some valuable insight into the creation of the film. (Commentaries continue to be more rare nowadays so they’re always worth your time.)

Fueled by stunning animation and fun characters, Bad Guys pops with the energy of the best of heist films. More importantly though, the film carries an important message about looking past our perceptions so that we can bring out the best in people. As a result, Bad Guys is one animated adventure that is worth opening your wallet for (if they don’t steal it first).

The Bad Guys is available on 4K and Blu-ray on Tuesday, July 19th, 2022.

Trolls: World Tour – One Ring[Tone] to Rule Them All

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Can we trust the stories we’ve been told in our youth? Or is history tainted by our own perspectives and blinders towards others?

Somewhat surprisingly, this deeply philosophical question lies at the heart of the sugary sweet sequel, Trolls: World Tour, out on Blu-ray this Tuesday. Though packaged in bright pink and glitter, the sequel to 2016’s mega-hit Trolls actually has some soul underneath the surface for those who are willing to take the time to listen.

Back for the encore, new Queen Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and her potential paramour, Branch (Justin Timberlake) are shocked to discover that their tribe of pop-infested trolls are merely one of six different groups scattered over the lands. Each tribe devotes their time to celebrating a different musical style – funk, country, techno, classical, pop and rock – and have lived isolated from one another for years. When Queen Barb (Rachel Bloom) of the rock trolls attempt to destroy the other musical styles, Poppy and Branch set out on a mission to unite the trolls and save the diverse melodies from extinction.

Featuring tonnes of pop remixes and bursts of colour, Trolls: World Tour is a neon rainbow of musical cotton candy that charms kids (and can be bizarre to adults at times). Stars Kendrick and Timberlake continue to bring energy and fun to the film’s lead couple, Poppy and Branch, as they attempt to navigate more mature issues such as leadership and romance. What’s more, by introducing multiple new characters into the franchise, the larger world building does add a sense of scope to the melodic mythical creatures. In doing so, Trolls: World Tour feels like a progression in the right direction for the franchise as it opens the door for differences of musical style (and opinions).

A bit of a word of warning for the uninitiated, though. As a parent who has frequently rewatched the first movie (and the holiday special, and the television series), I feel I can say this from experience. 

Make no mistake. This franchise is weird. 

Any film that features a naked troll giving birth to his child from a burst of glitter out of his behind justifies such comments, I feel. 

Even so, underneath all the pop hits and rainbows, there’s something timely about the latest entry into the Trolls franchise. At a time when social protests against systemic racism has become a daily occurrence, World Tour speaks to the idea that our current culture is based upon the dominance of one worldview over many. By delving into the history of their world, Poppy and Branch discover that their way of life has actually negated the importance of other forms of music in the process. Without giving away any spoilers, what they learn not only reshapes the way that they understand their role in the world but it also causes them to appreciate and elevate the value of others. While current social conversations were not taking place in the same way when World Tour was being written, themes like this do add a certain sense of relevance to the film.

Now available on Blu-ray, the purchase offers a few fun features such as the necessary ‘dance party mode’, where your kids (and you, if you like) can sing along with Poppy and crew, Trolls Dance Academy (which teaches you how to dance to various styles of music) and the all-new animated short, Tiny Diamond Goes Back to School. There’s even a feature commentary with director Walt Dohrn, producer Gina Shay and co-director David P. Smith for those who would really like to get behind the music with the film.

So, for all its bizarre antics and rainbow aesthetic, Trolls: World Tour proves to be a likeable and fun entry into a franchise that, given its profitability, has not likely seen its end. However, if the franchise can continue to say something meaningful to my children in the process, I’m more than happy to continue to sing along.

Trolls: World Tour sings its way onto Blu-ray on July 7th,, 2020.

Abominable: Hustle and Snow

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Abominable tells the story of young Yi (Chloe Bennett) who inadvertently discovers a yeti on her rooftop. Naming him Everest after the famed mountain region that he calls home, Yi and her two friends embark on an epic quest to reunite the magical creature with his family. However, along the course of the perilous journey, the young adventurers must also be on their guard to protect Everest from a wealthy financier and a determined zoologist who will stop at nothing to capture the beast for their own gain.

Written and directed by Jill Culton (Open Season), Abominable’s release came in the midst of an avalanche of animated fare about the yeti. As the third (!) film in the last two years to reacquaint children with the legendary snowbeast, Abominable ran the risk of oversaturating the market and simply blending into the background. Thankfully, the film’s stunning animation and emotional character arc help it to stand out in the crowd in the best of ways. Visually, Abominable is simply stunning, filling the screen with vibrant colours and images that are often a feast for the eyes. Featuring lush backgrounds and bold colours, the landcapes often engulf its characters, especially as the children move closer to their destination. (Ironically, immersive work on natural surroundings is so good that cityscapes sometimes feel jarring in style.) Appropriately, however, some of the best animation is reserved for Everest, the Abominable himself. Even in 2D animation, extensive work on Everest’s wistful fur and lovable facial expressions bring him to life in an almost tactile way. (Honestly, I can’t remember the last time that I felt a character was soft and cuddly enough onscreen to feel warmer just by watching him…) 

Central to the story is the relationship between Everest and Yi as they embark on a journey that will offer far more than adventure. Grieving the loss of her father, Yi is a young woman on the go. She works multiple jobs and only takes cash so that she can keep true knowledge of her profits to herself. Though her mother and grandmother wish that she would slow down, Yi remains determined to raise enough money to finally take an extended trip like she and her father always intended. Of course, when she meets Everest, everything changes and her determination to see him return to his home takes priority. 

Interestingly, both Yi and Everest find themselves on similar journeys in search for a home. While Everest is looking to find his family in his literal home, Yi’s home simply has not felt the same since the loss of her father. Her hustle serves to keep her preoccupied as she struggles to process her feelings. Nevertheless, we soon discover that the true power of Yi’s ‘magic’ lies in its ability to bring life where death has laid waste. This proves to be an appropriate counterbalance to the broken and weary Yi whose soul lies barren due to her grief and pain. Though they come from different worlds, the true beauty of their relationship lies in their ability to provide a safe home for one another that breathes life into their lonely hearts. For both Yi and Everest, they are able to meet the pain and anxiety of the other with grace and safety in a way that also breathes life into their lives. As such, Yi’s initial hustle slowly gives way to a healing of the soul.

In light of this, Abominable proves to have been one of the most unexpected surprises of my year. While the film has all the humour for children that one would expect from modern animated fare, it’s the film’s unique and powerful message of hope in the midst of struggle that helps Abominable become so much more than ‘another yeti movie’. Though the young characters venture deep into the cold, there’s a warmth at the core of the film that offers hope for any weary soul.

While the disc may appear to lack special features (stating “and many more” on the cover rarely means it), the Blu-ray release has a surprising amount of extras for those who dig around. Deleted scenes and shorts are fairly typical for this sort of thing but feature commentaries are always welcome. Some of the standouts on the disc include “Courage to Dream”, a look at challenging cultural and gender biases within the film, and Cooking with NaiNai, featuring Tsai Chin and Chef Shirley as they walk through their recipe for pork buns. There are also features on voicing the characters and, if your inner child wishes to speak Yeti, there is also a short that teaches you the various grunts and groans Everest uses to communicate.

Abominable storms onto 4K and Blu-ray on December 17th, 2019 and is now available on VOD.

Building a Snowman: 1on1 with Joe Izzo (ABOMINABLE)

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Dreamworks’ Abominable tells the story of young Yi (Chloe Bennet) who inadvertently discovers a yeti on her rooftop. Naming him Everest after the famed mountain region that he calls home, Yi and her two friends embark on an epic quest to reunite the magical creature with his family. However, along the course of the perilous journey, the young adventurers must also be on their guard to protect Everest from a wealthy financier and a determined zoologist who will stop at nothing to capture the beast for their own gain. As a member of the production team (and the voice of Everest), actor Joe Izzo was thrilled to have been part of the film’s development from the very beginning.

“We’re super proud of the picture, especially with the character design. Everything about it is so sweet and beautiful,” he beams. “I worked on the movie in a production role very, very early on, [maybe as far] back [as] 2013. I was a production supervisor, so I was alongside the director as we were getting the first version of movie up. Some things changed over the years and… I came back to help out with some voice work.” 

“I worked at Dreamworks and I worked on the first version of the story. So, I had a super behind the scenes and close look at the very beginning stages of it. Honestly, when I first read the script, I just I fell in love with story. It was always that good from the beginning.” 

Having also been involved in other high-profile projects such as How to Train Your Dragon and Boss Baby, Izzo maintains that his joy in animation stems out of his love of collaboration.

“I think you feel more involved in animation because the process takes a lot longer,” he explains. “You get to see all of the stages and, literally, the characters and the story comes to life, not just through animation, but through writing and voice work and all the different artists that bring it together. I did a little bit of a work in live action but nothing gets you as involved… as animation. It’s really inspiring.”

Since he was involved from the beginning of the film, Izzo remains excited about how Everest developed over time in the hands of an amazing director and incredibly talented crew of animators. Asked how he developed the voice of Everest, he claims that the sounds of the lovable yeti came directly out of the character design. 

“I think it goes back to the design,” Izzo reflects. “We had so many great storyboard artists that that drew the character and, in a way for me, I just felt like, ‘Oh, this is how he has to sound.’ The way they made him act, move and some of the mannerisms just made it easier. Jill [Culton]’s just a great director so, just being at her side, and kind of playing around with how playful he can be and how much of an animal he can be. [It was] just kind of a fun process that way.” 

Throughout the film, Everest’s playful energy pops off the screen but also connects deeply with the youth who are changed by their relationship with him, especially Yi. Similarly, Izzo also notes that Everest’s journey home parallels Yi’s emotional arc as well.

Says Izzo, “I think they’re both [beginning to] understand what home is. I think that’s the big overlying theme of the movie. Home just means something a little different as they’re going on a journey. It’s what they need and [it’s about] how they find it through each other. There’s a sense of growing and maturity that they kind of find with each other too in the sense of… his ultimate sense of purity. He’s just good. He’s like nature. Sometimes he can look a little scary, but ultimately he’s good and necessary and we don’t necessarily understand him.” 

Interestingly, Abominable is actually the 3rd animated film to feature the yeti in the last two years*. While each film is entirely different in tone and style, Izzo believes that they are also similar in their desire to instill a sense of wonder into their audience.

“With most animated movies, there’s that sense of wonder and sense of something that you don’t quite understand,” argues Izzo. “There’s something really neat about the whole thing that there’s something else, you know? I think all those movies still try to do the same thing. They relay that he’s a good person or a good character, you know? He’s not a monster.”

One of the most beautiful aspects of Abominable stems from its celebration of the power of music. Brought together from the relationship between Yi and Everest, music is shown to contain a live-giving quality that offers healing and hope to those around them. 

“I that was something that Jill, the director, had in very first draft of the script very early on its something she held on to,” he recalls. “I think music is just very important to her. I think the violin was always… something that we tried to bring to life. You don’t necessarily have to know how to play music or know what the song means or really understand the history behind certain things, but there’s a sense of power behind it. There’s the sense of beauty and wonder. It’s something that we can all be united for that.” 

In light of this, the film also contains a powerful message of hope through the emotional journey of its characters

“[I think that hope is] that sense of the future, especially as they’re younger characters,” Izzo believes. “It’s something to look forward to as they saw themselves grow and mature and saw the change in the villain, in the sense of the end. Just knowing that they have [made an] impact [and] to be part of that change.” 

For full audio of our interview with Joe Izzo, click here.

Abominable thunders onto 4K and Blu-Ray on December 17th, 2019 and is available on VOD now.

*Smallfoot (2018) and Missing Link (2019)