From the makers of Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda, “Turbo” is a high-velocity 3D comedy about an ordinary snail who dares to dream big – and fast. After a freak accident miraculously gives him the power of super-speed, Turbo kicks his dreaming into overdrive and embarks on an extra ordinary journey to achieve the seemingly impossible: racing against famed driver Guy Gagne. With the help of Turbo’s tricked-out streetwise snail crew, this ultimate underdog puts his heart and shell on the line to prove that no dream is too big, and no dreamer too small.
For the film’s main source of appeal, it’s all thanks to its crazy characters. I think Ryan Reynolds is okay but I didn’t like him that much here but he is supported by a great array of voice actors – Samuel L. Jackson, Luis Guzmán, Michelle Rodriguez, Snoop Dogg, Maya Rudolph, Richard Jenkins and The Hangover’s Ken Jeong in a surprising turn as a feisty Chinese woman. I particularly like Paul Giamatti whose delivery of his character Chet’s last minute heartfelt speech to his brother is spot on. In my opinion, he’s the best among the voice cast.
For our eyes, the race sequences are exciting and look awesome especially when we are placed in Turbo’s point of view – this is the best part of the experience. I read in an article from Wall Street Journal that the filmmakers brought in cinematographer Wally Pfister (best known for his works for The Dark Knight Trilogy and Inception) to help the film in terms of the look. Pfister took the filmmakers to a lighting studio in Hollywood to demonstrate how different environments could be lit. No wonder it looks stellar. As for the music, we only get to hear a bit of composer Henry Jackman’s engaging score mostly in the races (I wish there was more of it) while the rest of the film is filled with pop songs like the Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger song which popped up in the montage. I know that song is getting overused nowadays in films but it still works.
At first glance, the film is a Ratatouille in snail form. Like Remy’s obsession over chef Gusteau, we get to see Turbo watching his favorite racer 5-time Indianapolis 500 champ Guy Gagne in TV to give an inspiring speech that “no dream is too big, and no dreamer too small”. “Dos Bros” taco truck driver Tito is Turbo’s Alfredo Linguini who befriends the snail and believes in his talent. Turbo also gets a brother in Chet but unlike in its Pixar counterpart, he’s responsible and more like a brother figure to him. In my opinion, it’s alright to copy from other films as long as you can be as good, if not better. This film may not be as groundbreaking as Dreamworks’ previous works like How to Train Your Dragon and Kung Fu Panda or may not be better than the mentioned Pixar film but it still proves that it has its own charm and fun to be an entertaining and worthwhile film for both adults and kids. I enjoyed it all throughout from its superhero-like beginning up until its high-velocity end at the Indianapolis 500.
To 3D or not to 3D? The race sequences looks good in 3D and there are in-your-face moments. Try to watch it in this format if you can.
Verdict:
Turbo may not be as groundbreaking or original for an animated feature but it still goes past the finish line to win the hearts of its audience.
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About the movie reviewer:
Orange Magazine TV‘s newest film critic is a self-confessed movie geek. John Albert Villanueva love movies so much, he watch every movies from the big screen and collects DVDs of classic movies. Read his other review here.
