Tuesday, 8 July 2014

Another HTTYD2 Review - These People Are Really Mean to Sheep!

The RSPCA should really have a word with the people of Berk about their treatment of sheep...

*This review contains major spoilers. We find that a lot of the main talking points for HTTYD2 involve discussing the film in depth, so if you haven't seen it yet, don't read any further! Beware spoilers!*

Back in 2010, DreamWorks released a true gem of modern animation; it was only by the bad luck of it being released the same year as Pixar's Toy Story 3 that the film didn't get awards left, right and centre. That film, of course, was How to Train Your Dragon, the touching, exciting and epic story of young Viking Hiccup and his bizarre choice of best friend - a fire-breathing Night Fury dragon, named Toothless. And there has been a phenomenal amount of hype surrounding the much anticipated sequel, which has been playing in America for a few weeks now (Munir has actually already reviewed the film for this site here), and has been previewing on select days in the UK, ahead of a general release on Friday. So, here's a second A113Animation review of How to Train Your Dragon 2 - and I also really rather liked it.

Thursday, 3 July 2014

Disney Confirms Enchanted Sequel, Complete with Writers and Director


When Enchanted hit back in 2007, it was the real (albeit non-animated) start to the resurgence of Disney Animation. Disney's first great musical film in years, the Amy Adams-starring flick was very well received - and didn't do too shabbily at the box office either. So a sequel has been long expected; that it took 7 years to get properly moving is the only real surprise.

Saturday, 21 June 2014

Pixar's Next Short Film Will Be Lava; Will Play Before Inside Out


Pixar have announced their next short film, which will play before Pete Docter's Inside Out next summer: Lava! It's described as "a musical love story that takes place over millions of years." Check out more details on the project below.

Sunday, 15 June 2014

How to Train Your Dragon 2 Review - A Sequel Done Right


DreamWorks Animation has been in a rut lately. Not creatively, but financially. The once powerhouse studio, has now become accustomed to sustaining heavy loses with their animated films. Rise of the Guardians, Turbo and, most recently, Mr. Peabody & Sherman have joined the list of box office underperformers. That does not mean the films are bad (Guardians and Peabody are great, in fact), but lousy marketing has prevented them from earning big money and becoming big franchises, which ultimately is what the studio seeks in every animated film they release. After all these 'risky' endeavours, it's understandable that the studio would release a sequel to a film that many consider their best film to date. Sure, sequels are nothing new, but, more often than not, they disappoint creatively by becoming merely retreads of the first film. DreamWorks is no stranger to ruining franchises (the last two Shrek films are complete train wrecks) but recently the studio has strived to make more serious and heartfelt films, and to shy away from the 'sitcom-esque' model that prevailed for most their previous films. So it's comforting to see that they have actually taken the time to make a sequel worthy of its predecessor and, without any reservation, I can call How to Train Your Dragon 2 the best DreamWorks film to date.

Friday, 13 June 2014

DreamWorks Stuff: Release Dates, Trailers and More!


DreamWorks have been busy. The Shrek shack has released two new trailers, some high-res stills and a brand-spanking new line-up of animated films for between now and 2018! So to check out more from The Penguins of Madagascar, Home, Puss in Boots 2, Captain Underpants and more, see below!