Illumination Animation Discussion

[Grapefoot]

Illumination revealed their next project: The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

It is being written by Matthew Fogel, the same guy who did "Minions: The Rise of Gru."

[Silverwing]

Second trailer.  This is Illumination's biggest project by far.  You can see the amount of details in this one. 

[Blurr]

It has been quite some damn time since I have been stoked for an Illumination movie. But this one actually seems to know what it’s doing. My guess is Nintendo wouldn’t settle for something like Illumination is used to. The only thing I have some concerns about is the same thing everyone seems to have concerns about. And that’s Chris’s Pratt as Mario.

I got nothing against the guy. None at all. He’s an actor and he’s just doing his job. But oddly enough, all the other actors seem to be doing pretty damn good impressions of their characters. Jack Black as Bowser sounds PHENOMENAL. Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, well we still haven’t heard that voice yet but I’m holding out hope. Everyone else seems fine but for some reason, The voice of Mario is the only one that seems so offputting. I’m still seeing it either way because I grew up with and still play Mario to this day. But I’m just wondering what the direction was here.

[Soda]

He doesn't have the liveliness or excitement I expect from a Mario voice, and this is coming from someone who really doesn't care or know much about Mario.  But I honestly don't think it will matter much when you watch it.  I am sure it's going to be fun.

[Silverwing]

Yeah, he isn't the best sounding Mario, but I am pretty sure I will drown it out when the time comes and just enjoy the movie.

What will be crazy, is that for a new generation... THIS will be the voice they expect and will remember for Mario.
Sort of like how I still remember Mario giving the peace sign back in the N64 days, but he never did it again after Mario 64. 

[Anyponedrawn]

The reviews for The Super Mario Bros film are coming out now.  It is getting very average to mediocre reviews.  It's serviceable and safe.  It has a below average score on Metacritic with a score of 47.  Rotten Tomatoes has a score of 56% from 199 critics. 

Nonetheless, it is going to be a moneymaker.  So far, as of April 7, 2023, The Super Mario Bros Movie has grossed $113.3 million in the United States and Canada.

[Crimson Crest]

It's driving me mad that people are already posting spoilers of the Mario movie on YouTube. I mean, someone literally put up a spoiler not even a day after it was released! People have no sense of decency nowadays...

[Rainberry]

Don't click on anything remotely tied to it.  Don't search it.  lol!  It's horrible how hard it is to avoid spoilers for so many things nowadays.

[Silverwing]

Nonetheless, it is going to be a moneymaker.  So far, as of April 7, 2023, The Super Mario Bros Movie has grossed $113.3 million in the United States and Canada.

As of this past weekend, it is at $710 million despite having the most average of reviews.   You know what all this new money means for Illumination?  More Minions.  Also probably more Nintendo movies.

[RainySunshine]

^ That is nuts. 

[Silverwing]

Will it hit a billion in it's initial run?  It's at $921.9 million as of April 29, 2023.

With this kind of money, this ensures Illumination will continue to have Minions forever.  Low budget products with weak stories and lower quality visuals.  People apparently are okay with that.

[Silverwing]

The next Illumination project is called, "Migration."

PREMISE:

The film follows a family of modern day ducks who convince their over-protective father to go on the vacation of a lifetime as they attempt to migrate from New England, through New York City, and ultimately down to the Bahamas.

Migration is scheduled to be released on December 22, 2023.

A teaser has come out with the Super Mario Bro's Movie.

[Wolfwood]

They are making a new original film that hopefully will be good.

Migration.

[Silverwing]

Can't fault them for trying to be original here.... at least in character choice.

[RainySunshine]

I hope it's good because too many original ideas have been failing this year.  It makes companies just do reboots instead of original ideas.