Tag Archives: Illumination Entertainment

Illumination ‘Sing’s its way into the holiday season with its next catchy animated film

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Ahead of its next major release in The Secret Life of Pets, Illumination Entertainment–the makers of Despicable Me and Minions–is previewing Sing, the animation studio’s next picture that’s got a remarkable voice cast. Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson, John C. Reilly, Taron Egerton, and Tori Kelly, just to name a few. Together they’ll be singing over 85 hit songs, some of which are included in this first official teaser. A detailed synopsis follows.

Set in a world like ours but entirely inhabited by animals, Sing stars Buster Moon (McConaughey), a dapper Koala who presides over a once-grand theater that has fallen on hard times. Buster is an eternal optimist—okay, maybe a bit of a scoundrel—who loves his theater above all and will do anything to preserve it. Now facing the crumbling of his life’s ambition, he has one final chance to restore his fading jewel to its former glory by producing the world’s greatest singing competition.

Five lead contestants emerge: A mouse (MacFarlane) who croons as smoothly as he cons, a timid teenage elephant (Kelly) with an enormous case of stage fright, an overtaxed mother (Witherspoon) run ragged tending a litter of 25 piglets, a young gangster gorilla (Egerton) looking to break free of his family’s felonies, and a punk-rock porcupine (Johansson) struggling to shed her arrogant boyfriend and go solo. Each animal arrives under Buster’s marquee believing that this is their shot to change the course of their life.

Not unlike its previous efforts, Sing looks like a ton of fun for kids and adults alike. The Garth Jennings (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) written and directed pic hits theatres in time for the holidays on December 21. Continue reading Illumination ‘Sing’s its way into the holiday season with its next catchy animated film →

Movie trailer round-up: Animated entries ‘Secret Life of Pets’ & ‘Peanuts’ pack humor, heart & fun

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Illumination Entertainment, the maker of Despicable Me and the upcoming Minions movie, has a new animated comedy in the works about the lives our pets lead after we leave for work or school each day. The first teaser trailer, embedded above, does a fantastic job of setting the scene featuring Illumination’s slick animation style and signature humor. An overarching plot isn’t being divulged just yet, but that doesn’t even matter–The Secret Life of Pets is sure to draw audiences of all ages to its adorable collection of cats and dogs and video game savvy birds. The stacked voice cast includes Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Ellie Kemper, Lake Bell, Jenny Slate, Bobby Moynihan, Hannibal Buress, and Albert Brooks.

The Secret Life of Pets releases July 8, 2016.

Jump after the break to see the latest trailer for Blue Sky Studios’ Peanuts adaptation. Continue reading Movie trailer round-up: Animated entries ‘Secret Life of Pets’ & ‘Peanuts’ pack humor, heart & fun →

A Halloween treat: ‘Despicable Me 2’ trailer starring the Minions!

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Universal picked the spookiest holiday of the year to release a new trailer for their upcoming animated sequel Despicable Me 2. Like the teaser that came before it, this lengthier trailer stars the little yellow Minions as we watch them tuck one of the girls to sleep and then get abducted by aliens! And these are very picky extraterrestrial beings because they spit out the alley cat that mistakenly gets sucked up into the beam of light. The sequel’s official synopsis follows; unfortunately it does not offer much in terms of where the movie will take us exactly.

Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s worldwide blockbuster, Despicable Me, delighted audiences around the globe in 2010, grossing more than $540 million and becoming the 10th-biggest animated motion picture in U.S. history. In Summer 2013, get ready for more minion madness in Despicable Me 2. Chris Meledandri and his acclaimed filmmaking team create an all-new comedy animated adventure featuring the return of Gru (Steve Carell), the girls, the unpredictably hilarious minions…and a host of new and outrageously funny characters.

Yes, Steve Carrell is back as the voice of Gru, who interestingly barely makes an appearance in this trailer. Other returning voice actors include Russell Brand, Miranda Cosgrove and Kristen Wiig. Al Pacino has signed on to voice the villain. Illumination Entertainment CEO Chris Meledandri produces and original directors Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud are back as well.

Despicable Me 2 is out July 3, 2013 and then the Minions will go on to headline their very own spin-off feature in 2014.

Happy Halloween!

Trailer: ‘Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax’

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From Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment (the animation studio behind Despicable Me) comes a film adaptation of one of Dr. Seuss’ most popular children’s stories, The Lorax. Danny DeVito stars as the voice of the orange, furry Lorax and Zac Efron voices the protagonist Ted. Here’s a nice synopsis:

The 3D-CGI feature Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is an adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ classic tale of a forest creature who shares the enduring power of hope. The animated adventure follows the journey of a boy as he searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world. Danny DeVito will lend his vocal talents to the iconic title character of the Lorax, while Ed Helms will voice the enigmatic Once-ler. Also bringing their talents to the film are global superstars Zac Efron as Ted, the idealistic young boy who searches for the Lorax, and Taylor Swift as Ashley, the girl of Ted’s dreams. Rob Riggle will play financial king O’Hare, and beloved actress Betty White will portray Ted’s wise Grammy Norma.

Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax hits theatres in 3D on March 2, 2012.