Disney’s ZOOTOPIA Sloth Trailer is Far from Slow [85 Screenshots]

Since 2008, Walt Disney Animation Studios has been on a roll with such films like Tangled, Frozen, The Princess and the Frog, and Wreck-It Ralph. And with the release of the latest trailer for Zootopia, the house that Walt built looks to continue on its path back to greatness. The first teaser quickly introduced the many animals we’ll see in the film, and now Disney fans will get to see how the world works.

More of a full clip than anything else, the Zootopia sloth trailer features our two furry leads, Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman),at the Department of Mammal Vehicles (DMV) to run a license plate number. As if a visit to the DMV isn’t bad enough in our world, in Zootopia the DMV is run by sloths. (In a world in which there are no humans, only animals, would it be considered PC to say that the something is moving at a sloth’s pace?)

Comedy relies on timing, and this clip is absolutely hysterical when it comes to sloth humor. Who knew sloth jokes outside the meme would be so funny? Between Judy’s frustration and Nick’s playful sensibility to mess with her, the whole clip is magical. It’s everything you would come to expect from a DMV run by sloths and it works on every level. The chemistry Nick and Judy have feels similar to classic Pixar pairings where two opposite characters must work together ala Toy Story, WALL-E, Ratatouille, Up, and Finding Nemo.

Aside from the sloth scene, we get a very quick glimpse of the big city and its inhabits. The details are incredible, with all walks of life filling the city. If Zootopia is as well conceived as this little scene and delivers what has been promised, then I sure everything else will be delightful.

(Click on any thumbnail below to begin the image gallery)

Here’s the official plot synopsis for Zootopia, courtesy of Walt Disney Animation Studios:

The modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it’s a melting pot where animals from every environment live together—a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when optimistic Officer Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman), to solve the mystery.

Directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore, Zootopia stars the voices of Jason Bateman, Ginnifer Goodwin, Shakira, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Nate Torrence, Jenny Slate, Tommy Chong, Octavia Spencer, Bonnie Hunt, Don Lake, and Alan Tudyk. The film is set to release in theaters on March 4, 2016.

Zootopia Sloth Smile Disney Teaser


Source: Walt Disney Animation Studios

DreamWorks Releases First KUNG FU PANDA 3 Trailer [72 Screenshots]

The first Kung Fu Panda 3 trailer released today, which included a character teased at the end of Kung Fu Panda 2, Po’s father Li Shan, voiced by Bryan Cranston in the upcoming sequel. It’s been four years since we last saw our kung fu animal friends take on an evil peacock voiced by Gary Oldman; and it’s been an astonishing seven years since the original film debuted back in 2008. Is there still gas in the tank for this once beloved franchise?

Although there isn’t much in the way of story revealed within the Kung Fu Panda 3 trailer, Li’s first encounter with his son offers a great humorous beat that speaks to Po’s personality. Cranston, who has worked on Family Guy, Archer, and The Cleveland Show, was born to do voice work. His delivery and timing is executed brilliantly. J.K. Simmons has also joined the cast as the main antagonist, Kai, a bull with glowing green eyes.

The Kung Fu Panda series has always had such beautifully choreographed fight sequences, and the action at the beginning of the trailer leaves no doubts for this next installment. It will be interesting to see what kind of fighting style Kai will have.

Here’s the official plot synopsis for Kung Fu Panda 3 courtesy of DreamWorks Animation:

When Po’s long-lost panda father suddenly reappears, the reunited duo travels to a secret panda paradise to meet scores of hilarious new panda characters. But when the supernatural villain Kai begins to sweep across China defeating all the kung fu masters, Po must do the impossible—learn to train a village full of his fun-loving, clumsy brethren to become the ultimate band of Kung Fu Pandas!

Despite what a handful of critics felt about the sequel, I’m still positive toward the series and have been looking forward to the third chapter of this story. Kung Fu Panda was part of my resurgence into animated feature films, and I’m hoping Kung Fu Panda 3 continues to keep the franchise strong.

(Click on the thumbnails below to begin the screenshot gallery)

Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni, Kung Fu Panda 3 stars the voices of Jack Black as Po, Bryan Cranston as Li Shan, Angelina Jolie as Tigress, Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu, Jackie Chan as Monkey, Seth Rogen as Mantis, Lucy Liu as Viper, David Cross as Crane, Rebel Wilson as Mei Mei, James Hong as Mr. Ping, and J.K. Simmons as Kai.


Source: DreamWorks

First ‘Terminator: Genisys’ Trailer Resets Expectations (143 Screenshots)

Terminator Genisys First Movie Trailer

As promised, Paramount has delivered the first trailer for Terminator: Genisys. Fans will get to see Sarah Connor back in action, played by Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones), with an adult Kyle Reese played by Jai Courtney (A Good Day to Die Hard), and the return of The Terminator himself played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. From what we can tell, this film takes a quasi-reboot/prequel spin resetting all expectations of what we know of the franchise to date. Check out the trailer and over 100 hi-res screenshots after the break. Continue reading

SDFF 2014 Review: ‘Whiplash’ Runs on Raw Emotion and Powerful Energy

Whiplash 2014 San Diego Film Festival Review

Whether it’s concerning the state of jazz or the film industry, there has been a certain lack of vitality within both camps. They just don’t make ’em like they use to. But in this particular case, Whiplash radiates such remarkable, raw energy that it sticks with you well after the last cymbal crash. A movie so intoxicating that you’ll forget you’re watching actors and not the real thing. Continue reading

Official ‘Men, Women & Children’ Trailer Seeks a Connection (81 Screenshots)

Men Women and Children Official Trailer

How little do we know about the people that we know? Has technology destroyed the way we act with one another? In Jason Reitman’s new film, Men, Women & Children, takes a somber look at the way we connect with one another, or how we aren’t connecting. Watch the new full-length trailer after the break. Continue reading

‘Men, Women & Children’ Teaser Paints a Melancholy Look at Technology (48 Screenshots)

Men Women and Children Teaser Trailer

Technology has run rampant in our everyday lives, and director Jason Reitman wants you to know about it in his big ensemble adaptation of Men, Women & Children. From cell phones to home computers, it’s pretty difficult to breakaway from our interactive light screens. How has the digital age affected human interaction? Watch the trailer after the break and see for yourself. Continue reading

‘Whiplash’ Trailer: Miles Teller Wants to Be One of the Greats (99 Screenshots)

Whiplash Movie Trailer and Screenshots

The first trailer for Whiplash has arrived, which may or may not spark a jazz revival with its electric performances and swinging soundtrack. Sophomore director Damien Chazelle turned the winning Sundance short into a full length feature, which will release later this year. This is a movie that you should anticipate come awards season. Watch the trailer after the jump. Continue reading

Raimi Working On Spider-Man No More, Sony Reboots Franchise

Raimi, Dunst, MaGuire and anyone involved in the future Spider-Man 4 is out; that includes Mr. Malkovich who claimed to have agreed to play the Vulture if the script called for it. It appears due to creative differences Sony and Raimi are parting ways and Sony is looking to reboot the Spidey franchise. Sad news. I loved Raimi’s vision of the web-slinger and seeing different actors is unsettling. You can kind of look at it as the same situation with The X-Men with X-Men First Class in the works. Apparently they want to begin where Peter Parker began, back in high school and work from there all over again and will be in theaters in 2012. There have been many quotes, interviews, and reasonings behind this call to action after the jump… Continue reading