Animated kiddie fare is a dime a dozen these days. This year alone, we’ve seen far too many cartoons collapse due to subpar stories, from The Croods to Epic to Despicable Me 2, so much so that the occasional bright spots (Turbo) are just not enough to make most critics look forward to reviewing animated family films (Pixar aside).
Luckily, next year looks much more promising on that front; the first trailer for DreamWorks Animation’s Mr. Peabody and Sherman features an immediately engaging mix of animated dazzle and cute historical gags.
I’m looking forward to seeing this new take on the Peabody’s Improbable History segments of The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. The Trojan horse gag in this trailer is particularly good, but there’s a lot to like about the new Mr. Peabody and Sherman. The animation is flawless, the central trio’s time-travelling shenanigans should provide more than enough solid comedic material to carry the movie and the actors involved seem exceptionally promising for this kind of film.
Mr. Peabody and Sherman boasts a stellar crop of actors providing voice talent, including Ty Burrell and Max Charles in the lead roles, in addition to Ariel Winter, Stephen Colbert, Patrick Warburton, Mel Brooks, Allison Janney, Leslie Mann, Stephen Tobolowsky, Stanley Tucci, Lake Bell and Dennis Haysbert. The Lion King helmer Rob Minkoff is directing, while Danny Elfman will supply the score.
The official plot synopsis for Mr. Peabody and Sherman reads as follows:
Mr. Peabody, the most accomplished dog in the world, and his mischievous boy Sherman, use their time machine – The Wabac – to go on the most outrageous adventures known to man or dog. But when Sherman takes The Wabac out for a joyride to impress his friend Penny, they accidently rip a hole in the universe, wreaking havoc on the most important events in world history. Before they forever alter the past, present and future, Mr. Peabody must come to their rescue, ultimately facing the most daunting challenge of any era: figuring out how to be a parent. Together, the time traveling trio will make their mark on history.
Are you excited for this new animated family adventure, or will it be just another good-looking kiddie flick marred by paltry storytelling? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
Mr. Peabody and Sherman will travel back in time in 3D on March 7th, 2014.
