‘Venom: The Last Dance’ and 2024’s Comic Book Movie Nightmare. Plus: ‘The Wild Robot’!
Oct 29, 2024
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Mallory Rubin and Charles Holmes, film critics from The Ringer, team up to dissect 'Venom: The Last Dance,' noting its chaotic charm despite shortcomings. They share laughs while delving into the bizarre energy of the Venom trilogy. Then, Chris Sanders, the award-winning director of 'The Wild Robot,' joins to discuss the innovative strides in animation and the emotional depth of storytelling in his film. The trio reflects on current trends in comic book movies and the future of animated features, blending humor with insightful critiques.
The podcast critiques 'Venom: The Last Dance' for its polarizing entertainment value, balancing absurdity with criticisms of incoherent plot and character development.
Discussion of 'The Wild Robot' highlights its emotional resonance and storytelling depth, particularly in portraying parenting through a robot's perspective.
There’s a focus on the evolution of animation styles showcased in 'The Wild Robot', emphasizing a painterly aesthetic over traditional CGI techniques.
Voice performances are deemed crucial in 'The Wild Robot', with actors enhancing character depth through thoughtful contributions and customized portrayals.
Deep dives
Inside Conversations about Hollywood
The podcast delves into the behind-the-scenes complexities of Hollywood, highlighting the conversations that shape the industry. It explores factors influencing show cancellations, with insights revealing that decisions often stem from financial considerations rather than audience engagement. Current streaming dynamics are examined, emphasizing which platforms face uncertainties and may collapse under pressure. Notably, the episode discusses the importance of following industry news to gain a deeper understanding of the trends and executives' movements in Hollywood.
Analyzing 'Venom: The Last Dance'
The discussion around 'Venom: The Last Dance' reveals a split among viewers regarding its entertainment value. Some found joy in its absurdity and humor, while others criticized its lack of coherent plot and character development, suggesting it was a chaotic blend rather than a structured film. The podcasters debated whether the film recognized its absurdity or fell into self-referential traps that detracted from its potential. Ultimately, it sparked varied opinions on whether it successfully entertained or merely lacked depth.
Themes of Connection and Vulnerability
The episode reflects on the thematic elements of vulnerability and connection portrayed in 'Venom: The Last Dance' and its character dynamics. The relationship between Venom and Eddie is analyzed as a complex bond, highlighting how they navigate their existence together despite external challenges. The exploration of brotherhood within the film raises questions about whether the narrative leans towards a friendship or something deeper. This analysis encourages listeners to rethink the nature of relationships depicted in superhero narratives.
The Wild Robot: A Unique Storytelling Approach
The podcast introduces 'The Wild Robot,' an animated film that presents a heartfelt narrative about connection and motherhood through the lens of a robot. The film's emotional impact resonates particularly with parents as it explores the challenges and joys of raising a young gosling. It captures the essence of parenting by blending humor with touching moments, making it relatable and poignant. The journey of Roz, the robot, becomes a profound exploration of identity and belonging that captures audiences of all ages.
Animation and Its Evolving Aesthetic
The conversation highlights the shift in animation styles as 'The Wild Robot' embraces a unique aesthetic that distinguishes it from traditional CGI films. The director emphasizes the importance of the film's painterly quality and how it contributes to the emotional depth of the storytelling. This approach reflects an evolution in animation, allowing for a blend of familiarity and freshness that resonates with viewers. The integration of digital techniques with hand-drawn elements enriches the visual experience, setting a new standard for animated works.
Exploring Voice Acting in Animation
Voice performances in 'The Wild Robot' are discussed, underscoring how pivotal casting choices shape character development. The director illustrates how actors like Lupita Nyong'o and Pedro Pascal contribute to the emotional arc of their characters through careful customization of their performances. By allowing the actors to explore their characters’ motivations and personalities, the film achieves a level of depth that transcends traditional animation. This creative collaboration highlights the importance of voice acting in bringing animated characters to life.
Reflections on Recent Animated Films
The episode discusses the broader landscape of animation, noting an unprecedented number of animated films dominating recent box office charts. The conversation recognizes how families are increasingly drawn to animated narratives that resonate with both children and adults. This trend reflects a growing recognition of animation as a legitimate art form capable of exploring complex themes. As animated films continue to capture audience attention, the podcast suggests that this could lead to a renaissance in animated storytelling.
Sean is joined by Ringer-Verse pals Mallory Rubin and Charles Holmes to discuss a pair of films that have polar opposite energy. They start by assessing the quality of the third entry in the Tom Hardy Venom trilogy, ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ (1:00), before digging into one of the most heartwarming and visually astonishing movies of the year, ‘The Wild Robot’ (45:00). Then, Sean is joined by ‘Wild Robot’ director Chris Sanders, a stalwart animation creator whose latest film is a visual reinvention of the genre (1:15:00). Recorded after a screening of the film at Vidiots in Los Angeles, the two discuss pushing the visual style forward, animation in 2024, the role of a director in a feature animation project, and more.
Host: Sean Fennessey
Guests: Charles Holmes, Mallory Rubin, and Chris Sanders
