First video games, then comics, now apps can become movies?
You're watching Beyond The Trailer's review of Angry Birds!
Well to be fair, Angry Birds is no ordinary app. Launched in 2009, it's not only become
one of the top apps of all time - with over three billion downloads - but the only one
to evolve beyond your smart phone. There are Angry Birds animated TV series, comic books,
toys, and even theme parks! So why NOT a movie?! In fact, Sony Pictures Animation feels so
good about their chances with Angry Birds that they've got an Emoji Movie set for next
summer. And while the makers of Angry Birds, Rovio, have their headquarters in Finland,
their movie is decidedly American - with pee jokes and everything! Hey, it works for Danish
toy giant LEGO, who trusted 21 Jump Street's Phil Lord and Chris Miller with their brand,
although The LEGO Movie also had a pretty strong message about the true purpose of play
and the importance of experimentation... Will The Angry Birds Movie be that deep? It does
deal with anger management, right? Rovio is very much Sony's partner on this venture,
as in they're investing a serious amount of capital on the film - which they can certainly
afford as their success with Angry Birds - and pretty much only Angry Birds - has made them
cash rich. Or has it? There have been a number of lay offs at Rovio lately, and top executive
turnover, as the company struggles to deal with what could be the waning popularity of
their ONLY product. For instance in 2014 the company suffered a seventy-three percent drop
in profits - which would make anyone angry. And to their credit Rovio is trying to create
a new hit game, but nothing has caught on like Angry Birds has - or did? So obviously,
there's a lot riding on this movie which is the finest that Angry Birds money can buy!
Former Marvel Studios producer David Maisel - the discount Kevin Feige? - is heading up
Rovio's new film division - they dream big there - while a cavalcade of comedy stars
will bring the Angry Birds to life on the silver screen: Josh Gad, Peter Dinklage, Bill
Hader, Kate McKinnon, Keegan Michael Key, Jason Sudeikis, Danny McBride and SEAN PENN!
Wow, Angry Birds don't play... They even purchased a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon!
And so far so good, as the trailer for the film has performed very well online, and Disney's
mega hit Zootopia is just - finally - running out of steam. However, with Alice Through
The Looking Glass, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 and Finding Dory fast approaching, we'll
have to see if Red and company can take out those formidable Hollywood pigs at the box office...