Cindy Prascik's Review of The Batman

 

My dear reader(s) and fellow Batfans, today I bring you a review of Matt Reeves' The Batman.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing plot-related that isn't evident in the trailers. Emo!

Batman faces off with Survivalist!Riddler in a bid for Gotham's very survival. 

Snarky synopsis aside, The Batman is a great Batman movie, and, yes, a great movie without the Bat-qualifier. I'm going to try not to let this get *too* long, but Batman is one of my most beloved characters, so...buckle up. 

The Batman is a dark film, and I mean in every way. It's never daytime. It never stops raining. There is no levity in dialogue or in action. Neither Bruce Wayne nor Wayne Manor enjoys much screen time; the film is wholly centered in Batman, the Batcave, and other similarly gloomy locales. When seen outside the cape and cowl, Bruce Wayne remains shrouded in darkness, both literally and figuratively. 

The Batman showcases a younger Bruce Wayne, ably portrayed by Robert Pattinson, but one who shares the physical exhaustion and world-weariness of his older predecessor (Ben Affleck). While many if not most Batman movies make a point of showing Batman's physical scars (he is, after all, only human, with no real "super powers"), this one also focuses on his mental scars: his torment, his jadedness, and even his vulnerability. Pattinson is the perfect actor for this role in this film. Even lacking Affleck's physical bulk, his Batman is dark and properly menacing. He is magnificent. 

A younger Bruce Wayne means a younger Alfred, personified in this outing by Lord of the Rings alum Andy Serkis. Serkis is a man of many faces, and this is hardly a stretch of his considerable talent, but his Alfred somehow seems less imperative than previous incarnations of the character. Zoe Kravitz is a little flat as Serena Kyle, definitely missing the spark of some others who have worn the catsuit. Colin Farrell, Paul Dano, and John Turturro are serviceable if unexceptional baddies. Finally, of course I found fault with Jeffrey Wright's Commissioner Gordon, not because I have anything against Jeffrey Wright (on the contrary, I'm a fan), but because he's not Gary Oldman and that's just a cross borne by all of us who aren't Gary Oldman. If only the whole world could be Gary Oldman. But I digress........ 

The Batman features a new Batman, but it is careful to avoid repeating the Batman origins story. It adds layers to Bruce Wayne's history without asking the audience to relive the pearls. Again. The plot is more detective thriller than superhero tale, with new twists built around familiar characters. At nearly three hours long, the film could use a trim, but I never felt the length, never checked the clock, and I'd go so far as to say it absolutely needs at least two and a half hours to bring its story from beginning to end properly. (That's 30 minutes' indulgence over what I'd normally allow!) 

The Batman has a few moments that struck me funny, mostly things that too closely mirror specific moments in The Dark Knight, and one scene that was so Blues Brothers-esque I almost laughed out loud. The narration is hokey early on, but gets less so as the movie progresses. There's plenty of action, yet The Batman is mercifully lacking the endless fight and chase scenes that plague most films of the genre. Michael Giacchino's exceptional score pairs poorly with certain scenes, making the music so melodramatic as to seem almost silly at times (or maybe that's vice-versa). Kudos to hair and makeup--turning Colin Farrell, the planet's most attractive human, into something ugly is no small feat! 

Following middling critical and audience reception for the Batfleck movies, many would call The Batman a redemption for DC in general and for Batman in particular. I'm enough of a Batfan that I'd argue the point (despite the mediocre films, Affleck remains my all-time favorite Batman), but I'll happily take this as a vote in DC's favor from the court of general opinion. 

The Batman clocks in at a whopping 176 minutes and is rated PG13 for "strong, violent, and disturbing content, drug content, strong language, and some suggestive material." 

Anyone who says it's as good as or better than The Dark Knight is delusional or blowing smoke (it's not even close), but The Batman is a great, fresh take on an oft-resurrected character, and I look forward to seeing where this Bat flies. Of a possible nine Weasleys, The Batman gets eight. 

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: THE BATMAN

 

Batman ventures into Gotham City's underworld when a sadistic killer leaves behind a trail of cryptic clues. As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator's plans become clear, he must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued the metropolis.

Director: Matt Reeves

Cast: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard, Andy Serkis, Colin Farrell

Release Date: March 4, 2022

Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Superhero

Rated PG-13 for strong violent and disturbing content, drug content, strong language, and some suggestive material

Runtime: 2h 55m

Review:

Matt Reeves' The Batman is a mash up of inspirations which results in a gritty noir detective thriller that takes the character back to his pulpy roots.  Reeves draws inspiration from excellent Batman graphic novels like The Long Halloween and Hush while also pulling cinematic inspiration from Se7en, Zodiac and Christopher Nolan's run.  The end result is a moody, atmospheric mystery that's as self serious as they come.  This take on the character focuses more on his deduction skills, even though there are a handful of action set pieces, which gives the film a more meticulous and methodical pace as the story unfolds.  Its the type of story that takes its time to reveal itself as we follow the characters down the rabbit hole.  Robert Pattinson, playing a much younger version of the character, brings the intensity and a simmering uncontrolled rage which hasn't been focused.  Pattinson gives us glimpses of the more unhinged aspects of the character as we see a character still finding his way, it's an impressive take on the character.  Jeffrey Wright, whose never been more earnest, works well onscreen with Pattinson which makes their interactions and relationship feels authentic.  Colin Farrell's take on The Penguin is one of the few character in the that feels like he's having fun with him providing a few moments of levity in the film.  Zoë Kravitz turn as Selina Kyle/Catwoman is excellent but underutilized since the script has her appear and disappear throughout the film.  Paul Dano and John Turturro play their characters a bit too over the top in comparison to the rest of the cast, its not jarring per say but noticeable.  Dano's character in particular would have been better served with a more subtle, understated and cerebral turn.  Overall, you have to appreciate Reeves holding the moody horror vibe for nearly three hours but it can become oppressive in spots which makes the case that some edits could have made this entry a sleeker more streamlined affair.  There are also portions of the final act that feel less like homages with scenes and sequences being lifted from other films almost verbatim which comes off as lazy.  Issues aside, The Batman is an impressive take on the character from a different lens which works on a different level than previous iterations. 

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE

 

After finding a host body in investigative reporter Eddie Brock, the alien symbiote must face a new enemy, Carnage, the alter ego of serial killer Cletus Kasady.

Director: Andy Serkis

Cast: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris, Reid Scott, Stephen Graham, Woody Harrelson

Release Date: October 1, 2021

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some strong language, disturbing material and suggestive references

Runtime: 1h 30min

Review:

Venom: Let There Be Carnage is the kind of sequel that takes what worked in an underwhelming original and goes all in with them.  Andy Serkis directs his film with a kinetic sort of energy that’s hard to ignore.  It works best when it focuses on Hardy’s Brock and his symbiote bickering back and forth like the world’s strangest odd couple.  It’s goofy and silly but it’s enjoyable for large chunks of its brisk runtime.  Woody Harrelson chews up scenery with impressive gusto as the film’s villain.  Harrelson seems to relish in these sort of oddball and he’s clearly having a ball it’s just a shame he doesn’t have a better script to work with.  There’s an overall sense that Harrelson is slumming here just like Michelle Williams and Naomie Harris who’s criminally underused here. Venom: Let There Be Carnage is the type of cinematic fast food that more enjoyable than it should be and probably bad for you if you have too much of t.

C

MOVIE REVIEW: LONG SHOT

Fred Flarsky is a gifted and free-spirited journalist who has a knack for getting into trouble. Charlotte Field is one of the most influential women in the world -- a smart, sophisticated and accomplished politician. When Fred unexpectedly runs into Charlotte, he soon realizes that she was his former baby sitter and childhood crush. When Charlotte decides to make a run for the presidency, she impulsively hires Fred as her speechwriter -- much to the dismay of her trusted advisers.

Director: Jonathan Levine

Cast: Charlize Theron, Seth Rogen, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Andy Serkis, June Diane Raphael, Bob Odenkirk, Alexander Skarsgård

Release Date: May 3, 2019

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Rated R for strong sexual content, language throughout and some drug use

Runtime: 2 h 5min

Review:

Every once in a while a romantic comedy manages to bust out of that genre’s general mediocrity.  Long Shot isn’t one of the best but it is a funny film that overcomes its short coming.  Once you get over the clearly outlandish premises, the script and cast really make the material shine.  The film ends up coming off as softer kinder version of Veep melded with a gender reversed Pretty Woman.  Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen have surprisingly solid chemistry, on paper it shouldn’t work but it does thanks to both of them.  Theron, in particular, continues to show an amazing ability to work in any role and genre.  Rogen is in his wheelhouse, of course, so it’s an easy fit for him.  O'Shea Jackson and June Diane Raphael fill in as the leads respective sidekicks which each making the most of their screen time.  The plotting hits on all usual rom-com mile markers, making everything fairly predictable.  It does start to overstay its welcome in the final act and could have used a tad bit of trimming.  Regardless, it’s a fun raunchy comedy that’s enjoyable enough to keep most people laughing.

B

MOVIE REVIEW: BLACK PANTHER

After the death of his father, T'Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. When a powerful enemy suddenly reappears, T'Challa's mettle as king -- and as Black Panther -- gets tested when he's drawn into a conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people.

Director: Ryan Coogler

Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Andy Serkis

Release Date: Feb 16, 2018

Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13 for prolonged sequences of action violence, and a brief rude gesture

Runtime: 2h 14 min

Review:

Black Panther is a bit of a watershed moment for Marvel films for a variety of reasons.  First and foremost, the cast and director are primarily people of color and it carries over on screen.  The film has a decidedly strong theme of African Heritage running throughout all within the trapping of a superhero story.  Ryan Coogler does an impressive job of giving his film a visual distinctiveness that’s missing from most of Marvel entries.  As such, Black Panther has a strong identity and it uses it to its advantage by telling an emotionally engaging and thoughtful story.  Chadwich Boseman leads the film with an easy charisma that’s hard to resist.  Boseman has an effortless way about himself all the while maintaining a sense of nobility in T’Challa.  The supporting cast is probably one of the best assembled for any of the Marvel movies.  Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright and Martin Freeman all leave lasting impressions on the film.  Their characters aren’t simply throwaway supporting players but instead feel like well rounded characters equal to the lead.  Michael B. Jordan makes for a fine villain.  He’s a strong counterpart to Boseman’s T’Challa in every manner of speaking.  The character’s motivations actually make sense and pose some interesting questions.  Unfortunately, the film doesn’t spend nearly the amount of time it should fleshing him out which could have made him iconic.  It’s a minor issue compared to the whole.  Black Panther, much like last year’s Wonder Woman, elevates the super hero genre and forces future entries to raise their game.   

A

MOVIE REVIEW: WAR FOR PLANET OF THE APES

Caesar (Andy Serkis) and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless colonel (Woody Harrelson). After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both of their species and the future of the planet.

Director: Matt Reeves

Cast: Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Gabriel Chavarria, Steve Zahn, Judy Greer

Rated PG-13 rating is for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, thematic elements, and some disturbing images

Release Date: Jul 14, 2017

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

Matt Reeves War for Planet of the Apes is a strong finish to the rebooted prequel.  The story is deeply layered, borrowing from multiple sources including The Searchers, Apocalypse Now and the book of Exodus.  Needless to say, there is a lot going on in the script, it’s dense emotionally and touching.  It’s a rare summer blockbuster that puts the spectacle on the back burner for smaller quieter moments focused on character development and story arches.  The story is so strong that you can start to overlook the level of digital wizardry on display with the ape characters.  They are totally convincing throughout the film and this entry in particular puts them front and center with the human characters taking a backseat.  Andy Serkis once again proves that’s he’s the most underappreciated actor working now by delivering another impressive motion capture performance.  He’s the heart and soul of the film and it is impossible to not get emotionally invested in his characters journey.  Steve Zahn joins him as Bad Ape who provides some much needed comic relief here and there.  Zahn proves to be just as capable as Serkis because he does provide some depth to the character that could have been easily one dimensional.  Woody Harrelson is the primary human villain and he’s used sparing as the Coronel Kurtz knock off.  It’s probably for the best since he’s chewing scenery at impressive pace.  There are a few pacing issues in spots where the film seems to lag a bit.  Additionally, some of the biblical allegory is a tad heavy handed for my taste.  A bit more subtleness would have helped the film.  That being said, Matt Reeves closed out his trilogy on a strong note and brings the characters story to a satisfying ending.

B+

Cindy Prascik's Review of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Dearest Blog, with a couple screenings of the final installment of Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy now under my belt, I shall try to present some thoughts. Coherence not guaranteed. (But is it ever?)

Spoiler level here will be mild-ish, no biggies, but if you prefer to go in totally blind--if that's even possible with a story that's nearly 80 years old--kindly defer reading until you've seen it.

Having made their way home, the company of Thorin Crabbypants defends its Kingdom Under the Mountain, but there's more than gold on the line when the battle expands.

Where to start...where to start...

Beginning at the beginning, BOTFA kicks off where Desolation of Smaug ended, with an angry dragon descending on the panicked citizens of Lake-town. For such frantic circumstances, the start of the film seems quite slow. Then there is The Thing that happens so quickly I have to wonder why The Thing didn't happen in the last movie, as (in Director Cindy's opinion) it seems more fittingly part of that one, and would have provided a more logical breaking point between numbers two and three.

The Thing is a pretty major development, but dropping it so soon makes it seem almost an afterthought. Once the movie gets rolling, it's not hard to see why filmmakers changed the name from There and Back Again...this movie is not about a trip; this movie is about a fight. While I wouldn't quite agree that it amounts to no more than an extended battle scene, there's definitely a lot of battlin' going on.

At nearly two and a half hours, BOTFA is the most compact of Peter Jackson's six Middle Earth epics, and it honestly does not seem long. Having said that, there are plenty of places it could have been cropped to make a better film, battles among them. (I might also mention the attentive viewer needs just so many shots of a dive-bombing dragon to get what's going on there.) Some CGI is inexcusably poor for a movie that cost so much to make; as with DOS, it's mostly noticeable in the movement of the Elves.

The few lighter moments are hit or miss, with Martin Freeman's wonderful expressiveness getting credit for the hits, and a bunch of flat, obvious gags featuring Ryan Gage taking blame for the misses. The character Tauriel remains a pointless addition, and her simpering looks at Kili and Legolas and Thranduil and...well...pretty much everyone are almost too annoying to bear. Finally, there's simply too little of 12 of the 13 Dwarves we've come to love over the course of the series.

On to the positives...Ken Stott and Martin Freeman remain the heart of The Hobbit, through three movies turning in performances that are consistently genuine, funny, and moving. I'd be remiss in my fangirling if I didn't note that Aidan Turner and Luke Evans are also terrific; this franchise will deservedly make big stars of both, and I couldn't be happier or more proud.

The movie's backed by the usual glorious New Zealand scenery, and the usual glorious Howard Shore score.

Obviously, this is another Jacksonized version of Tolkien; by this point, I'm sure nobody walks into these things expecting a faithful adaptation of the books. (If it were about real people, I'd say it's more "inspired by true events" than "based on a true story.") In many ways, it's Jackson's final thank you to the fans who have loved his vision of Middle Earth, with characters from the other films being name-checked or turning up in cameos and small roles.

Even if the battle scenes run on a bit, there's no shortage of nice fight choreography, cool weapons, and badass hero moments. It would be less than honest to pretend the story isn't stretched pretty thin; this is no Return of the King, and it won't be received as such by fans or critics.

That may feel like going out with a whimper instead of a bang, but in the end it's immaterial to me. Buoyed by my strong affection for the franchise, I have no problem accepting this as a fitting goodbye, and, as with all the other movies in the series, I'm confident my love will only grow with repeat viewings.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies runs 144 minutes and is rated PG13 for "extended sequences of intense fantasy action violence and frightening images."

I'm not sure this a great movie--and I'm not sure it's not--but I'm mostly happy with it.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies gets seven.

Now, if anyone needs me, I'll be petitioning the Tolkien estate to give PJ the Silmarillion.

Until next time...

Because...reasons

Cindy Prascik's Review of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Dearest Blog, today it was off to the cinema for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.
Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.

A decade after the events of Rise of the Planet of the Apes, a virus has wiped out most of humanity. What's left attempts an uneasy peace with the apes, but...........

Well, dear reader(s), as usual I have to be upfront and admit I hated Rise of the Planet of the Apes so much I was prepared to take a pass on this one. Then they cast Gary Oldman, and chances of my taking a pass on a Gary Oldman movie are about as much as my saying, "No thank you," if someone offered me a winning lotto ticket. I never go into a movie set on hating it, but in this case it might have saved me some disappointment if I had.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is even worse than its predecessor...if such things can be measured. I struggled mightily to stay awake through the first hour, and mostly just prayed for the end through the second. Though the disaster effects are alright, the apes once again look like a bad cartoon.

Andy Serkis is a genius, but he hasn't won me over with his much-lauded portrayal of Cesar, the leader of the apes. Jason Clarke and Keri Russell are about as meh as any movie pairing, ever. Gary is great with what screen time he's got, but it's not nearly enough to salvage anything from this mess. Boring "emotional" scenes alternate with somewhat-less-boring action scenes.

There's a smattering of not-funny humor thrown in for good measure, all leading up to a cheesy, predictable ending. Usually I can at least get a laugh out of poking fun at something this terrible, but right now I just resent that my seven bucks will help this dog turd take the number-one spot at this weekend's box office.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes runs 130 minutes and is rated PG13 for "intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief strong language."

If you're a fellow Gary Oldman addict, you'll understand when I say I'd rather re-watch Tiptoes or Nobody's Baby than sit through this EVER again.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes gets one.

Until next time..

MOVIE REVIEW: DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

This follow-up to Rise of the Planet of the Apes concerns the next step in the genetically advanced primates' takeover of the world as a virus begins to wipe out the human race. Let Me In's Matt Reeves handles directing duties, with Gary Oldman, Jason Clark, and Kodi Smit-McPhee headlining the human cast. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Matt Reeves 

Cast: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell

Release Date: Jul 11, 2014

Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi/Fantasy 

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief strong language

Review:

Rise of The Planet of the Apes is one of those rare reboots that actually worked.  Against all odds, and a failed Tim Burton attempt, it set up a prequel franchise properly so the sequel had a lot to live up to.  Dawn of The Planet of the Apes succeeds on various fronts with Andy Serkis, Hollywood’s most underappreciated actor, front and center this go around.  The apes are fully realized creations with definitive personas and motivations.  The script delivers some wonderfully fleshed out characters from the opening sequences with a big chunk of the characterization done without spoken dialogue, its true testament to the work done by the motion capture actors.  In an odd reversal, the human characters get the short end of the stick.  Most of them, even the criminally underused Gary Oldman, are just types there to serve the script.  Jason Clake is appropriately stoic and noble throughout but never given anything meaningful to do.  Oldman is asked to be paranoid and scream Jim Gordon style which he does well but I just wish there was more to the character.  Thankfully the ape characters are interesting enough to keep the film thoroughly engaging even if the actual plot is a run of the mill coup d'état.  Even with it’s faults Dawn of The Planet of the Apes is one of the better summer films of the season with more heart than most other films out.

B

[Official Main Trailer] The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The “Official Main Trailer” of the 2nd part of The Hobbit has just hit the internet. It’s appropriately epic in tone and scope. It also gives us our first full looks at the Legolas subplot, Luke Evans and Benedict Cumberbatch's Smaug, check it out below….

[Trailer] The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The international trailer of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug has just been released and it gives you all kinds of peeks at the 2nd installment.

We get our first live action peeks and Evangeline Lilly and Luke Evans (Who looks like Orlando Blood from The Pirates of the Caribbean movies) along with Smaug. I enjoyed the first entry more than I expected but after watching it again, it did feel stretched out, hopefully this entry will have a sleeker feel….

[Trailer] The Hobbit

Continuing the blockbuster season of trailers, the first trailer for Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit was just released and it can best be described in the cheesiest of ways but it is in fact a return to Middle Earth…..

MOVIE REVIEW: RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

IN THEATERS

RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

The Escapist director Rupert Wyatt takes the helm for this Planet of the Apes prequel centering on genetically engineered chimp Caesar (Andy Serkis), who was created in a San Francisco lab by an ambitious scientist (James Franco), and who uses his powerful intellect to lead an ape uprising against all of humankind. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Cast: James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow, Andy Serkis, Brian Cox, David Oyelowo, Tom Felton

Release Date: Aug 05, 2011

Rated: Violence and intense/frightening sequences

Runtime: 1 hr. 50 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

The original Planet of the Apes is such an iconic film that it leaves a legacy that still rings through this most recent reboot. Winks and nods to the original pop up here and there throughout Rise of the Planet of the Apes, some subtle and others more obvious and forced. It’s a minor quibble in the grand scheme of things, especially when so much care and effort was put into making this more than just another money grabbing reboot. Rise has something missing from most reboots; it’s got plenty of heart and a strong sense of itself. The story feels authentic with a set up and follow through that flows nicely. Director Rupert Wyatt shoots his film with a steady hand, moving his film at a steady pace rarely lingers in any section too long. James Franco, Freida Pinto and John Lithgow all have paint by the number roles. Franco offers some heart to his character but like the rest he’s simply a tool for the plot. David Oyelowo and Tom Felton are given cheesier clichéd roles which border on goofy, Felton in particular seems like he was transported from an 80’s flick sans a Cobra Kai patch. The real star of the show though is Andy Serkis, whose become the motion capture “man behind the mask”, who’s performance capture work is even more impressive than his work in the Lord of the Rings. His role is mostly visual but he’s able to emote such a massive range of emotions that’s you can relate with Caesar’s situation throughout. The CGI work is excellent, delivering photo realistic creations that rarely scream CGI. There are a few scenes that will either work for you or not, depending on how invested you are by that point in the story. While Rise will never leave the lasting legacy of the original film it’s still an impressive effort all around.

B

[Trailer] THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN

I’ll admit that I’ve got very limited knowledge of the books this is based on. That being said with the star power behind the film (Steven Spielberg & Peter Jackson) it’s kind of hard to dismiss it.

Motion capture, Avatar aside, has been kind of hit or miss but this seems to keep with the art style of the books giving it a more stylized look than say Beowulf, A Christmas Carol or The Polar Express.

Regardless it looks like an interesting endeavor even if this teaser doesn’t really show much.