Entertainment · Film · 2 days ago
Brad Bird’s animated noir Ray Gunn divides critics
Brad Bird’s animated film Ray Gunn screened at the BFI London Film Festival and drew sharply different reactions from critics.
The film is a science-fiction noir about private eye Ray Gunn, voiced by Sam Rockwell, and pop star Venus Nova, voiced by Scarlett Johansson.
Tom Waits voices an alien character named Eye-Ra.
Bird previously directed The Incredibles and Ratatouille, and Ray Gunn is a longtime passion project.
Some critics found the film underwhelming, citing familiar genre elements and characters they felt lacked depth.
The Guardian praised it as an entertaining, humane family film with striking city design and a sweet romance.
The reviews show that the film’s reception is divided; the sources do not say what happens next.
Brad Bird’s animated noir Ray Gunn has divided critics after screening at the BFI London Film Festival.
The film features Sam Rockwell as private eye Ray Gunn, Scarlett Johansson as pop star Venus Nova and Tom Waits as alien Eye-Ra.
The Hollywood Reporter, Variety and The AV Club raised criticisms of the film’s writing, characters or story.
The Guardian gave the film five stars, praising its animation, entertainment value and romance.
- Who
- Director Brad Bird and the cast, including Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson and Tom Waits.
- What
- Ray Gunn, an animated noir combining science fiction and film noir, has received mixed reviews.
- When
- It screened at the BFI London Film Festival. The screening date is not stated.
- Where
- The BFI London Film Festival.
- Why
- Critics disagreed over the film’s characters, story and visuals; the sources do not state a single reason for the divided response.
Critics who found the film disappointing
The Guardian
Story and characters
Critics who found the film disappointing
The Hollywood Reporter called the film underwhelming and forgettable, while Variety said its characters lacked texture and soul.
The Guardian
The Guardian described it as a smart, witty and humane family film.
Visuals and overall impact
Critics who found the film disappointing
The AV Club praised the visuals but criticized the film’s segregation parable and drama.
The Guardian
The Guardian praised its cityscape design and gave the film five stars.
Bird said he had rejected encouragement from Pixar to make a sequel to Ratatouille.
Ray Gunn screened at the festival, where it received divided reviews.
- Director
- Brad Bird
- Festival
- BFI London Film Festival
- Ray Gunn voice cast
- Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson and Tom Waits
- The Guardian rating
- Five stars
- The AV Club rating
- C
What people are saying
terrific family film that retrieves the genre from the doldrums of dull, AI-formulaic stories and visuals.
blandly palatable jumble of sci-fi and neo-noir clichés, not so much awful as underwhelming.
never quite as funny as it should be, while its characters — in particular the eponymous hero, a smooth-talking P.I. voiced by Sam Rockwell — want for texture and soul.
The movie’s immaculately designed metropolis is populated by an alien supporting cast whose main function is to hold up a half-baked segregation parable.
Sources
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