Meet the Robinsons (2007)

Director:

Stephen J. Anderson

Writers:

Jon Bernstein (screenplay) and
Michelle Bochner (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

30 March 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

If you think your family's different, wait 'til you meet the family of the future.

Plot:

Lewis is a brilliant inventor who meets mysterious stranger named Wilbur Robinson, whisking Lewis away in a time machine and together they team up to track down Bowler Hat Guy in a showdown that ends with an unexpected twist of fate.

Plot Keywords:

Future | Hat | Bowler Hat | Invention | Memory

Awards:

1 win & 8 nominations

Cast

Angela Bassett	...	Mildred (voice)
Daniel Hansen	...	Lewis (voice)
Jordan Fry	...	Lewis (voice)
Matthew Josten	...	Michael "Goob" Yagoobian (voice)
John H. H. Ford	...	Mr. Harrington (voice)
Dara McGarry	...	Mrs. Harrington / Receptionist (voice)
Tom Kenny	...	Mr. Willerstein (voice)
Laurie Metcalf	...	Lucille Krunklehorn (voice)
Don Hall	...	Coach / Gaston (voice)
Paul Butcher	...	Stanley (voice)
Tracey Miller-Zarneke	...	Lizzy (voice)
Wesley Singerman	...	Wilbur (voice)
Jessie Flower	...	Young Franny (voice)
Stephen J. Anderson	...	Bowler Hat Guy / Grandpa Bud / Tallulah (voice) (as Stephen John Anderson)
Ethan Sandler	...	Doris / CEO / Spike / Dmitri / Laszlo / Fritz / Petunia (voice)

Also Known As:

A Day with Wilbur Robinson (USA) (working title)
Beetle (Philippines: English title) (review title)

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS | SDDS

Certification:

Finland:K-3 | USA:G | Australia:G | UK:U | Ireland:G | Singapore:G | Germany:o.Al. | Hong Kong:I | Argentina:Atp | Brazil:Livre | Malaysia:U | Philippines:G (MTRCB) | Portugal:M/6 | South Korea:All | Netherlands:AL | New Zealand:G | Sweden:7

Filming Locations:

Burbank, California, USA

Company:

Walt Disney Animation Studios

Trivia:

The "Todayland" park is a tribute to the original "Tomorrowland", the futuristic section of the Disney theme parks. Immediately visible are Space Mountain and the original Rocket Jets, which are no longer in service.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the memory scanner's wedding scene, Lewis recognizes Grandpa Bud because of the smile on the back of his balding head. In the next few glimpses, Bud has no hair on the back of his head, but when they get in the car together he does.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Michael "Goob" Yagoobian: Then, um, I didn't choose that one because it was gonna give me pimples so I choosed, um, another scary one cause for, um, all those years that I went for halloween I wasn't scary at all... I love baseball. It's my destiny to play that game. And I don't really care about winning...
[...]

Movie Connections:

Edited into "Troldspejlet: (#37.1)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Where is Your Heart at?

Great, but a little frightening for very young children

Was a little "ify" about taking my 5 and 2 year old daughter's to this movie. Actually was concerned that it may not hold their attention. Based on some reviews, I honestly didn't think I would care for it.

Being a huge fan of Disney's work, but seeing their young target audience erode to the digital-only studios, I was hoping they'd come back to strong story lines.

Well, Meet the Robinsons was a surprise to me. Had a great story line, extremely visually appealing, awesome voicing (I do professional voice work so have a different appreciation for this), and an all-round great movie.

The only negative thing I must say (without spoiling the movie) is that when it came down to the part of the movie where it changes and you see much more of the hat in the future (again, don't worry.. no spoiler in this info) both of my daughters were pretty frightened and jumped to my lap. The visuals and content during this part of the movie really took on a different edge (color/music changes, etc.) As far as making it to frightening, I would hate in retrospect to see it changed to be a little more "small kid friendly". I would say that it might be a much better movie for children over 7 or 8 to see. I have to say again that as an adult, I thought it was really great.

One of the features of this movie I thought was clearly outstanding was the musical composition (and songs) that Danny Elfman (Nightmare, Corpse Bride, Simpsons, and a million other compositions) did. One particular song is such an awesome, up-beat, fun song that I really hope Disney puts a push behind it to give it radio airplay. (I'm also a former radio jock in Dover, Athens, Akron, Cleveland, Denver, Fort Collins, and Madrid-Spain) Certainly Elfman has written some great and memorable music ("What's This? - Nightmare Before Christmas), but I'd have to say the music in Robinsons is some of his finest.

I'd sum this all up in saying that, like the Disney tradition, this is story with great writing, great music, a lesson to be learned, and fun in general. It might be a little too much for the very little kids (even Beauty & The Beast or Aladdin had parts that could be frightening to very little kids though). I get (and hope) that Disney stays on the course they've moved with Robinsons. It's nice to see Disney getting back to their roots for story telling, yet moving forward (Shrek-like) with their animation and modern feel.

On a side-note: Ironically, the new opening cartoon (Mikey, Donald & Goofy build a boat cartoon) was made to feel very old by Disney. Audio was clearly intentionally "warbled" (for old-time 1920's/1930's affect). It was shot in 4x4 ration (not TV's 4x3 or Cinemascope) And drawn images were full of dirt-type flaws (specs that were on their drawings and not on the lens of the camera or projector and they "jumped" throughout the short cartoon). Very tradition cartoon which traces back to the Walt Disney roots. Wondered if it hadn't been placed to really show the contrast of the original Disney and the new Disney.