JUNE, 21


MOUSE GUARD 2

Action / Adventure / Animation
Cast Of Voices: Dominic West, Hugh Laurie, Anton Yelchin, Al Pacino, Diane Kruger, Cobie Smulders, Emily Blunt
Director: Joe Carnahan
Screenwriter: Dawson Edwards

Box Office: 201 mill.
Net Gains: 281 mill.

Stark’s Reaction:
Oh, God, I love these mice! This is the most profitable release of the Season! I love it when quality and box office meet. And this is the case.

MARIO

Adventure / Comedy
Cast: Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, Aziz Ansari, Will Ferrel, Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Emmy Rossum, Danny McBride, Bill Hader. Voice of Chris Rock.
Director and Screenwriter: Chad Taylor
Producer: Silver Lining Entertainment

Box Office: 160 mill.
Net Gains: 123 mill.

Stark’s Reaction:
I was so full of doubts about the future of this release. Finally, things went extraordinary well. Top 5 best box office of the season and top 4 highest net gains!

BOARD BREAKER

Drama
Cast: Max Records, Jackie Earl Haley, Madeline Carroll, Steve Zahn, Laura Dern, Jesse James
Director and Screenwriter: Josh Collins
Producer: Grand Island Movies

Box Office: 30 mill.
Net Gains: 11 mill.

Stark’s Reaction:
This week, we had three releases oriented to the same segment of audience (children and families) and that may have damaged the options of this one. It was pretty difficult to compete with ‘Mouse Guard 2’ and ‘Mario’. But still these are correct numbers for a drama.


MOUSE GUARD 2

‘All the praises that ‘Mouse Guard 2’ deserves are the same said when ‘Mouse Guard’ was released. So I won’t focus this time on the creative, original and top class quality of the animation work. That can make us ignore other qualities of this exceptional movie. Besides any consideration about the wonderful animation work, ‘Mouse Guard 2’ has many other virtues: it has an excellent plot, it perfectly pictures the different personalities of the characters and it is probably one of the most entertaining adventure movies I have seen in ages. The meticulous work made by the animation team is the perfect wrapping for an adventure where you end up loving each and every character and you will get very much involved in the events they go through. The intrigue, action and thrill of the storyline built up by Edwards makes out of this film an example of what must be an engrossing adventure movie.’
-Charlie Kiggs

‘Just when we thought that 2D Animation was condemned to be a relic from the past, ‘Mouse Guard’ came to prove us wrong. The charm of classic animation is back with these movies. The best thing about ‘Mouse Guard 2’ is that the film is not slaved by the demands of computer animation. We don’t care here if we can notice how the wind moves each and every single hair in the mice’s bodies or things like that. The hell to that technical exhibitionism. ‘Mouse Guard 2’ is made to enjoy the pure entertainment of a great adventure and not just to be amazed by the perfectionism of today’s animation techniques. Let’s leave that for CGI freaks. We are here to enjoy a great story about mice in the 12th Century!’
-Anne Roman

‘Why Dawson Edwards loses his time with the ‘F-Zero’ movies when he has ‘Mouse Guard’? Both are animation sagas but if you compare them, you just can’t believe that the same brain is behind both. The ‘Mouse Guard’ saga is full of visual findings, creativity, innovation and a great variety of characters while the ‘F-Zero’ saga is full of clichés, flat characters and anime images seen thousands of times before. Luckily, audiences have shown their intelligence and they have supported much more the ‘Mouse Guard’ films, turning them into a landmark in the animation genre in terms of box office’s success. But besides box office, I must add that these films are also a landmark in terms of quality and innovation in the world of animation.’
-Roy Winslow

MARIO

‘I must admit that I went to watch this movie full of prejudices. ‘A live action comedy based on Supermario? Oh, boy, there’s no chance I can enjoy that movie…’ Well, the truth is that before I even noticed it, I was laughing out loud at the theatre. ‘Mario’ is a much better comedy for all the family than I expected (and far better than that other film about Mario from 1993). But it is also an irregular movie. All the first half of the movie is a brilliant parody of the original videogames with some really funny moments (the romantic and non-romantic montages are so hilarious!). The problem is when the races begin. All the second half of the movie becomes then a recreation of the ‘Supermario Cars’ game that ends up being excessively repetitive. So my verdict is: thumb up for the first half, thumb down for the second half.’
-Tim Reeve

‘Chad Taylor had wanted to make a new CMP’s Comedy Squad reunion in this film in the line of the old ‘Lieutenant USA’ movies. Sadly, top CMP’s comedy stars like Steve Carell or Jack Black denied the invitation to this old friends’ reunion. But the ones that accepted it have taken the right decision. Rogen and Rudd make an efficient Mario and Luigi, displaying the inevitable acting excesses the characters demand but not turning their job into an irritating overacted show. Will Ferell is probably the one that takes the best of his mo-cap reincarnation as Bowser. And although he is a comedian I don’t particularly like, I must say that it was a funny finding to create that ‘Chris Rock-style Yoshi’. On the other side, the two princesses, Amy and Emmy, were not given the chance to particularly shine with their diluted characters.’
-Mark Anderson

‘Watching ‘Mario’, I could not help remembering the old ‘Who framed Roger Rabitt?’ Chad Taylor retakes the parodic, irreverent and witty sense of humor of that film. Same way than ‘Roger Rabitt’ laughed at the clichés and stereotypes of cartoons’ world, this ‘Mario’ laughs at all the elements of Supermario’s universe. Of course, Mario’s world is more limited than cartoons. And that’s the only problem with this film. You have to be very familiar with the videogames to fully understand all the jokes in the movie. And also to appreciate the wonderful visual recreation of Supermario’s universe made by the production design team. But if you have wasted hours playing those extremely addictive games, you will also become an addict to this movie.’
-Andrew Stampton

BOARD BREAKER

‘Ok, let’s get rid of the inevitable issue first: yes, ‘Board Breaker’ is full of more than strong reminiscences from ‘Karate Kid’. The common elements of both movies are so much that you could even wonder why do we need ‘Board Breaker’ if we have ‘Karate Kid’. And you’d be right. Once said so, Josh Collins has built up a solid teen drama about a guy trying to fit through karate. If you forget about the absolute lack of originality of the premise, this is not at all a bad movie. It has a well structured plot, Max Records makes a noticeable acting work and Collins directs efficiently the film keeping the pace and interest of the story. But, obviously, the problem is that you have to forget your permanent impulse to be constantly comparing both movies to fully enjoy this one.’
-Jackie O’Callaghan

‘It is not easy to make your debut in CMP starring a film when you are only 14 and not a too known talent yet. Max Records has faced that extremely risky challenge and I must say he has passed the test with a nice grade. To place his work in ‘Board Breaker’ at its right level, I would say that he is a much more interesting and believable karate kid than Jaden Smith but he does not get to make us forget the unforgettable Ralph Macchio. Together with him, it is obvious that Jackie Earle Haley will never become as iconic and remembered as Mr. Miyagi. But still he becomes the most powerful and charismatic presence on screen becoming at some points the show stealer of the film. And no, Madeline Carroll did not make me forget either the beautiful teenager Elizabeth Shue was.’
-Chris Burgess

‘Josh Collins has applied an obvious formula in his movie: ‘Karate Kid’ + CMP’s ‘Teenage Wasteland’. In fact, although I know that all movie critics will put their eyes on the comparison with ‘Karate Kid’, I think ‘Board Breaker’ is much closer to Matt Kubrick’s ‘Teenage Wasteland’ (a film produced by Collins’ company ‘Grand Island Movies’, by the way). Just like in ‘Teenage Wasteland’, we have here a tormented boy desperately trying to fit in a world where he feels alone and misunderstood. ‘Board Breaker’ develops that premise with a lighter approach than the very dramatic ‘Teenage Wasteland’, trying to please the audience more than the emotionally devastating film of Kubrick. So, at the end, this film applies a formula without reaching the quality level of any of the two elements in it.’
-Vic Carter

SEASON 17’S FINAL REPORT

(Brackets: Same data from Season 16)

MOVIES RELEASED: 30 (30)
SEQUELS RELEASED: 6 (7)
ORIGINAL CONCEPTS: 12 (17)
ADAPTATIONS: 18 (13)

MOVIES WITH NET GAINS: 27 (27)
MOVIES WITH NET LOSSES: 3 (3)

NET GAINS TOTAL: 1524.3 (2157)
NET LOSS TOTAL: 27 (45)
FINAL BALANCE: 1497.3 (2112)

MOVIES WITH BOX OFFICE SUPERIOR TO 200 MILL.: 4 (3)
-The Undercovers (Chris Weitz / Steve Connors)
-Daughters Of The Dragon 2 (Jon Turteltaub / Joey Stark)
-Justice League: Crisis On Infinite Earths (Christopher Nolan / Chad Taylor)
-Mouse Guard 2 (Joe Carnahan / Dawson Edwards)

MOVIES WITH BOX OFFICE SUPERIOR TO 100 MILL.: 3 (6)
-Escape From Hell (Sam Raimi / Josh Collins)
-Hunger Games (Marc Forster / Chad Taylor)
-Mario (Chad Taylor / Chad Taylor)

TOP 1 NET GAINS
MOUSE GUARD 2 – 282
TOP 1 NET LOSSES
MIDNIGHT – 16

SCREENWRITER’S ACTIVITY
(Number of releases / Best release)

-CHAD TAYLOR: 7 (‘Justice League: Crisis On Infinite Earths’)
-JOSH COLLINS: 5 (‘Escape From Hell’)
-D.R. COBB: 5 (‘The Question’)
-DAWSON EDWARDS: 4 (‘Mouse Guard 2’)
-JOEY STARK: 3 (‘Daughters Of The Dragon 2’)
-STEVE CONNORS: 2 (‘The Undercovers’)
-MATT KUBRICK: 1 (‘Jason Vs Leatherface’)
-JAMES BRADLEY: 1 (‘Eye Of The Needle’)
-RICHARD FRANZWA: 1 (‘Dragonlance: Dragons Of Spring Dawning’)
-JACK ADKINS: 1 (‘Food And Other Languages’)

SOME CONCLUSIONS
By Harry Stark

Season 17 has been a step back in terms of box office’s success for the Studio. If you look at the numbers above, you’ll see at the Final Balance that we have made almost 700 million less of net gains than the previous Season. After the wonderful numbers made during the last Seasons, we seem to be going back to the times of Season 9, 10 or 11, when it became pretty hard to reach the 100 millions at box office and net gains lowered a lot.

But, although numbers have fallen, we only had 3 movies that made net losses (and not too high), same than Season 16. That keeps us far away from the times we had something like 8 or 9 flops per Season. So most CMP’s movies keep making net gains regularly although not as impressively high as the latest Seasons.

Also, this Season we had less original concepts than usual. Only 12. You know I like original concepts. It is not that I have a problem with adaptations, but original concepts are a more creative challenge for our writers and I like that.

As a peculiarity, for the first time we have had more ‘+200’ releases than ‘+100’ ones.

Also, the number of movies oriented to adult audiences, mainly dramas, seems to have increased. I like that. Maybe it is because all of us are growing up (and that does not mean ‘getting old’!). I like developing dramas, no matter they usually aren’t too profitable. I like to have something more than superheroes and comic based movies in CMP.

The good news…

11 writers have developed their stories this Season. That’s a very nice number. CMP’s family members may come and go but the good thing is that we keep a solid base of writers working for the Studio. In fact, that number will even increase next Season!

D.R.Cobb has made an impressive debut in CMP releasing 5 movies in his first Season around. And that number will probably increase in the future, as Cobb is an amazingly hyper-active writer. I am sorry he has not had yet a big box office’s hit. But be patient, Cobb. It will come some day.

Jack Adkins also made his debut this Season. But, like many of the latest debutante writers, I have the feeling that he won’t become a regular. Anyway, we have new debutantes at the waiting list.

‘The Undercovers’ was the nicest ‘sleeper’ of the Season. I never thought it would make such wonderful numbers. Also, I was impressed by the turnout of ‘Mouse Guard 2’, a movie I particularly like.

And it is great that John Daws is working so hard on a new CMP’s Database. For what I see, it is getting better and better. I know it is an extremely hard work that will take some time, but I want to encourage Daws so much to keep up that fantastic work!

The bad news…

The worst news of the Season for me was that Richard Franzwa announced his retirement. He is a writer I have always liked. But, same way that has happened with other writers like Ben Tyler, I hope he’ll change his mind in the future and he’ll be back some day.

Some of the main CMP’s franchises reached their end this Season. Very profitable sagas like ‘Dragonlance’, ‘Justice League’ and ‘Daughters of the Dragon’ won’t have new installments in the future. That’s always a bad news for CMP as they are safe investments for the Studio.

And none of this Season’s films have become record-breakers. The alltimes top lists of best box offices and highest net gains have not been modified by this Season’s releases…

But I end up with a positive thing: I am so thrilled about the upcoming Season. Looking at the release schedule of Season 18, I am amazed of how many interesting stories we have waiting for all of you… Don’t miss any of them!

TOP LISTS

SEASON 17

BEST BOX OFFICES

1.JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS – 246
2.THE UNDERCOVERS – 232
3.DAUGHTERS OF THE DRAGON 2 – 215
4.MOUSE GUARD 2 – 201
5.MARIO – 160
HIGHEST NET GAINS

1.MOUSE GUARD 2 – 281
2.JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS – 233
3.THE UNDERCOVERS – 198
4.MARIO – 123
5.DAUGHTERS OF THE DRAGON 2 – 111

ALLTIMES

TOP BOX OFFICE

1.SILVER SABLE AND THE WILD PACK – 352
2.THE ICE PRINCESS – 316
3.JUSTICE LEAGUE 2 – 298
4.THE DARK TOWER: THE DRAWING OF THE THREE – 285
5.METROID – 279
6.GAMEBOY 2: WARLANDS – 265
TOP NET GAINS

1.JUSTICE LEAGUE 2 – 588
2.SILVER SABLE AND THE WILD PACK – 420
3.THE DARK TOWER – 414
4.METROID – 406
5.DEVIL TRIGGER – 382
6.THE DARK TOWER: THE DRAWING OF THE THREE – 349