Other than whomever it was who went with me to see the film in early 2006, I have no idea if anyone I know saw Hoodwinked. That fact actually works as a statement of the film’s quality. It’s the kind of film that isn’t really worth discussing; you were either mildly amused by it or you weren’t. However, if you and your friend were for some reason inclined to debate Hoodwinked, that conversation would go something like this:
You: That movie was alright. That squirrel was kind of funny.
Your friend: The animation was lame.
You: I’m hungry.
What I’m saying is that Hoodwinked is harmless enough that you forget it exists right after you watch it even if you enjoyed it, and those who dislike it forget about it before it ends.
Even so, the independent animated film cost a mere $15 million (it showed) and made over $51 million domestic, so a sequel was greenlit. Reactions to that announcement went something like this: “Alright.”
Which is probably why no one knew Cory Edwards, the director of Hoodwinked and co-writer of its upcoming sequel Hoodwinked 2: Hood Vs. Evil, has a blog. In a post he made last Tuesday (that people began reading yesterday), Edwards let spill a pile of names whose owners will provide their voices for the new film.
Apparently Glenn Close (Granny), Andy Dick (Boingo) and Patrick Warburton (The Wolf) will be returning. Apparently Anne Hathaway (Red) and Jim Belushi (The Woodsman) will not. In their places will be Hayden Panettiere and Martin Short. Yep, it’s that girl from that show we communally dislike and that guy who was funny when I was a kid. Though Short did have at least one quality moment this decade when he popped into Arrested Development.
But that’s not all! Edwards lists a boatload of other new names: Joan Cusack as a witch, Brad Garrett as the giant from Jack and the Beanstalk, Wayne Newton as the giant’s magic harp, David Alan Grier as a troll, Amy Poehler and Bill Hader as Hansel and Gretel, or, respectively (I assume), Gretel and Hansel.
My reaction to those names? Bill Hader is pretty funny when he’s in movies rather than on TV, Amy Poehler is funny on occasion, Brad Garrett has a deep voice, David Alan Grier has a made a lot of shit and Wayne Newton has a fake face because he’s old.
Hoodwinked 2: Hood Vs. Evil, which is directed by Mike D’Isa, finds Red as she and the Wolf search for Hansel and Gretel. You will be either mildly amused or not mildly amused sometime this year.
17 comments
I really liked Hoodwinked, but it was due to its inventive Rashoman storytelling style that made it feel really fresh among other animated films released that year. I don't think I'm interested in a second movie though, because you can't repeat originality like that.
It was a genuinely entertaining film even if the animation was Mario 64 era. I'll look forward to the sequel. Belushi won't be missed.
i liked the humor in that film and the take on the mother goose tale. i liked the fletch references and thought that, while the animation was less stellar than pixar's rat movie, it did not detract from its charming script and funny songs. i still break into song like that goat all the time
No one's doing Phil any favors by giving him articles like this to write. Then again, I'm Fabfunk.
Wayne Newton has a fake face not because he's old, but because he had weight loss surgery and loose skin as a result.
Juice Newton has loose skin as a result of the obvious.
This cheerleader…. I don't know: she fits the profile, but there's something more to this. I think–yes.
It's time I use the most important investigative tool at my disposal. My library card.
I would say Hader is pretty good on TV too. His Plainview this Saturday was fucking killer.
Hader is good on TV too, almost always rising about the crappy material he's given on SNL. That's about all I can say about this. Good work though, Phil.
Is this really your best? I for one am tired or reading seemingly half-assed shit like this. Step up your game, phil-or walk away.
I think Cory Edwards has talent, so I respond to Phil "ass hat" Owen here…
Folks that have been reading Cory's blog for a while have learned that Hoodwinked was actually produced for less than 8 million (not much more than a direct-to-DVD picture). They didn't have the big bucks for animation, so they put everything they could into the best script possible. Anyway, it is THE official "little film that could," in my book.
The surprising opening weekend numbers created opportunities for all of the filmmakers, so I guess we'll get a chance to see what these guys can do with some bigger budgets. Next up: Escape From Planet Earth
End of paid endorsement.
Ah, another wonderful episode of "The Phil Owen Show"; just as painful to watch as Flavor of Love, but without all of the skanky, but ultimately fuckable bitches.
I give up.
You are so full of shit Phil. Hoodwinked proved (again) that one of the last things that matter is the quality of the animation. It´s all about characters with personality and a good script and that film had BOTH. I double dare ANYONE to tell me they don´t remember the "police scene interrogations" with that frog, or the singing goat, common man, that was freaking HILARIOUS. ("Mr.Wolf, can I call you wolf?", "You can call me Dory, I like long walks and flowers", "What do you do", "I am a sheppard", "I got horns that open bottles I got horns to hold my keys, I got horns that when you turn them right they help me watch tv,"
I think some of you are being a little harsh, and a little delusional. Phil may not be "the man," (outside the comma, bitches) but he's not the perp you are fingering him ass.
The singing goat on the rail car was hilarious. I would suggest that they go for broke with the humor this time. The first film was 'PG', cost $15 million, grossed $51 million. The core audience of this film is clearly older teens to mid 50's, so why not a 'PG-13' or 'R' rating for the sequel?
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