Turbo is an example of a trailer that didn’t make the movie look as good as it is. I mean, a movie about a fast garden snail? Unlike Ryan Reynold’s other movie released this weekend, R.I.P.D., this fun flick is sure to please the whole family. It has heart and illustrates the feel-good message that all you need is one good friend to believe in you in order to succeed. No dream is too big and no dreamer is too small. Sweet.
Voice and acting talent Paul Giamatti plays Chet, Turbo the snail’s best friend and brother, but it’s Tito (Michael Pena) who first believes in Turbo’s dream to race in the Indianapolis500. Tito and his brother own a taco shop called “Dos Bros Tacos” when Tito discovers the quick escargot and hopes to create a “tacovolution” that will draw more hungry customers to their little restaurant.
The unmistakable voice of Samuel L. Jackson brings “Whiplash” to life, another fast snail who befriends Turbo and helps him reach his goal. “Smoove Move” embodies Snoop Dogg’s snail persona, complete with a pair of dice swinging from his slender, snaily neck.
You’ll also hear the voices of other fan favorites such as Michelle Rodriguez (Paz) and Ken Jeong (Kim Ly), who both own shops in the same small strip mall as Dos Bros Tacos.
This is the first project of director and co-writer David Soren, who pleases young audiences with colorful characters, an underdog story, and lots of silliness. Kids aren’t too hard to please, after all. Adults will be amused, however, by a few clever lines and gags. Watch for the funny mean kid on the Big Wheel, the mustache made out of grass, Taco Man and his sidekick “Churro”, “Snail up!”, “Snailed it”, and the label on a hot sauce bottle that says “Product causes death.”
It’s amazing how a good animation team can create such detailed facial expressions on slimy insects, but they succeed. It’s not worth the extra money to pay to see it in 3D. The language is clean, although there are a few risqué jokes that should fly over most little one’s head. “Your trash talk is needlessly complicated” is a funny line geared towards adults, but still evokes a laugh out of kids for reasons they don’t even understand.
Suspend your disbelief and enjoy the fast ride with your kids and a bucket of popcorn. Not in to insects? Go see Monsters University instead.
Grade = B
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