We have to admit, if it isn’t Pixar (or maybe DreamWorks), we sort of don’t pay attention to animated films, but in the past couple of days trailers have landed for “Mars Needs Moms” and “Hop” which might be of interest for parents looking to entertain their kids next spring.
First up, “Mars Needs Moms” is the latest from Robert Zemeckis‘ ImageMovers shingle which explains the dead-eye CGI thing that’s going on. The film features the voices of Seth Green, Dan Fogler, Elisabeth Harnois, Mindy Sterling and Joan Cusack in a story about Moms who are kidnapped by Martians to raise their own offspring and the plucky little kid who goes to rescue his mother. We presume this will lead the kid to have a new appreciation for his Mom or whatever and overall, it looks pretty tepid. Meanwhile, Universal trots out Blur‘s under-the-radar, obscure b-side “Song 2” to power the teaser for the upcoming “Hop.” The live-action/animated hybrid reimagines the Easter Bunny (voiced by Russell Brand) and a rock ‘n rolling unkempt houseguest. James Marsden co-stars.
“Mars Need Moms” beams up on March 11, 2011 while “Hop” bounces into theaters on April 1, 2011. Trailers and synopses for both after the jump. [“Hop” via Movieline]
Take out the trash, eat your broccoli – who needs moms, anyway? Nine-year-old Milo finds out just how much he needs his mom when she’s nabbed by Martians who plan to steal her mom-ness for their own young. Milo embarks on a quest to save his mom – a wild adventure that involves stowing away on a spaceship, navigating an elaborate, multi-level planet and taking on the alien nation and their leader. With the help of a tech-savvy, underground earthman named Gribble and a rebel Martian girl called Ki, Milo just might find his way back to his mom – in more ways than one.
Bleeding state-of-the-art animation with live action, “Hop” tells the comic tale of Fred (James Marsden), an out-of-work slacker who accidentally injures the Easter Bunny (voiced by Russell Brand) and must take him in as he recovers. As Fred struggles with the world’s worst houseguest, both learn what it takes to finally grow up.