We are not big fans of Sony here at LRM online. While the studio has had its share of successes and great films, they have also done what many companies do: go for insane cash winnings every turn. It is often also at the expense of quality, which is worse than companies like Disney. Just watch their manipulation of the Spider-Man movies live to see how many of their big decisions they make. But many of their problems don’t end with live action. Their animated films were also largely inconsistent.
Although they had the occasional solid film as Cloudy with a chance of meatballs, most of them range from poor to poor. They hit an extreme valley a few years ago The Emoji movie fell on the scene, and unfortunately, while the film was critically criticized … it still made money!
However, just over a year ago, they released the gem known as Spider-Man: in the Spider-Verse. This film seemed to take animation to a whole new level, while telling an ambitious story. But I wasn’t foolish enough to think it would mean anything for the quality of their next film. If history had proven anything, it was that Sony was inconsistent.
A few days ago, the trailer for their new film Connected hit the web.
Connected: a new future for Sony Animation?
The film is Mike Rianda’s first film, but it does feature geniuses Phil Lord and Chris Miller as producers, so you know there will be a certain level of quality. But I didn’t expect that. From the start, despite the seemingly pedestrian premise – a father and child traveling across the country – there are a few highlights. The animation is MAGNIFICENT. He claims an aesthetic that recalls Cloudy with a chance of meatballs with some additional entertainment flourishes.
And then the story reaches a whole new level of interesting when the main external conflict of the film comes in the form of… killer robots. As a storyteller, this is the perfect configuration for a perfect set of character arcs. Yes, this is the story of a family that saves the world from robots, but it is obviously about bringing them together as a family. Add to that the element of technology, because it is both something that can bring us together and separate us, and you have a story that pulls all cylinders.
Although I have not seen the film, it seems to have all the ingredients for an engaging and exciting tearful in the vein of something like Summer wars. As Connected, Summer wars family juxtaposed against a threat of world change in the form of technology, but in a different way.
RELATED – WB Animation, Ava DuVernay developing the animated series Wings Of Fire
All in all, I think Connected could indicate a potentially more coherent animated slate in the future. Maybe after years and years of mediocrity, Sony has found the right leadership to help nurture the incredible talent they already have.
What do you think? Are you almost as enthusiastic Connected as I am? Let us know your thoughts below!
Want to join the LRM Online conversation on Discord? Join our server in CLICK HERE!
—–
Have you checked LRM onlineThe official podcast of The LRM online podcast network? This includes our flagship podcast Los Fanboys, our first podcast Breaking Geek Radio: the podcast, GeekScholars Movie Newsand our morning show LRMornings. Find out by listening below. It is also available on all your favorite podcast apps!
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | google play
SOURCE: Sony