04-03-2008, 09:32 PM
Yeah, this one's for the kiddies...I really enjoyed reading the William Joyve books to the kids, mostly for his retro art-deco illustrations. "George Shrinks" was the first one I found, but I've collected a number of them. The Santa Clause book is very good (Can't remember the exact title). Anyway, Joyce did a computer animated tv show for the Disney Channel called "Rolly Polu Ollie". It kept his style, but it was really targeted to younger audiences. When I saw that this book had become a movie and that they did not stick with his artistic style, I was turned off and have been avoiding it.
I found it at the library, so I grabbed it and my son (16) and I watched it, and I have to say that I was suprised. Like most picture books to movies (Jumanji, Polar Express) they had to embelish the story significantly, but the writing was pretty clever in places. The Snidley Whiplash type villian was good. Can't say much for the Danny Elfman soundtrack. And of course there are time travel paradoxes left and right, but this is entertainment...fun, enjoyable. If you are into computer animated films, or have to entertain some young people, I'd recommend it. Way better than Robots (I think they used William Joyce as a production designer on that film...)
Oh yeah, John Lasseter is Executive Producer, but this is NOT a Pixar production. Go figure.
--tg
I found it at the library, so I grabbed it and my son (16) and I watched it, and I have to say that I was suprised. Like most picture books to movies (Jumanji, Polar Express) they had to embelish the story significantly, but the writing was pretty clever in places. The Snidley Whiplash type villian was good. Can't say much for the Danny Elfman soundtrack. And of course there are time travel paradoxes left and right, but this is entertainment...fun, enjoyable. If you are into computer animated films, or have to entertain some young people, I'd recommend it. Way better than Robots (I think they used William Joyce as a production designer on that film...)
Oh yeah, John Lasseter is Executive Producer, but this is NOT a Pixar production. Go figure.
--tg