HOODWINKED TOO! HOOD vs. EVIL [2011] [3D Blu-ray + 2D Blu-ray + DVD] [USA Release]
Not All Fairy Tales Go By The Book!
The good...the bad...the Twitchy. The sequel finds our heroine, Red Riding Hood [Hayden Panettiere], training with a mysterious covert group called the Sisters of the Hood. But Red Riding Hood is forced to cut her training short when she gets an urgent call from Nicky Flippers [David Ogden Stiers], the head of the super-secret Happily Ever After Agency, aka the H.E.A. A wicked witch [Joan Cusack] has abducted two innocent children, Hansel [Bill Hader] and Gretel [Amy Poehler], plus Nicky needs the whole Hoodwinked gang, especially with Red, Granny [Glenn Close], and the ever clueless Wolf [Patrick Warburton] and his over caffeinated little partner, Twitchy [Cory Edwards] for the search and rescue mission.
Voice Cast: Hayden Panettiere (Red Riding Hood), Glenn Close (Granny), Patrick Warburton (The Big Bad Wolf), Joan Cusack (Verushka the Witch), David Ogden Stiers (Nicky Flippers), Bill Hader (Nicky Flippers), Amy Poehler (Gretel), Cory Edwards (Twitchy), Martin Short (Kirk the Woodsman), Brad Garrett (The Giant), Andy Dick (Boingo the Bunny), David Alan Grier (Moss the Troll), Cheech Marin (Mad Hog), Tommy Chong (Stone), Phil LaMarr (Wood /Ernesto), Wayne Newton (Jimmy 10-Strings), Benjy Gaither (Japeth the Goat), Danny Pudi (Little Boy Blue), Debra Wilson Skelton (Iana), Tress MacNeille (Vera /Woman's Voice), Heidi Klum (Heidi), Clarissa Jacobson (Flo), Mike Disa (Helmut / Spider / Rhino / HEA Agent 1 & 2), Rob Paulsen (Johann / Bad Shatner / Bad Kelley), Lance J. Holt (Klaus), Rebecca Andersen (Radio Voice), Brian T. Delaney (Additional Voices) (uncredited), Nicholas Guest (Additional Voices) (uncredited), Kyle Hebert (Additional Voices) (uncredited), Bridget Hoffman (Additional Voices) (uncredited), Wendee Lee (Additional Voices) (uncredited), Stephanie Sheh (Additional Voices) (uncredited) and Keith Silverstein (Additional Voices) (uncredited)
Director: Mike Disa
Producers: Bob Weinstein, David Lovegren, Delna Bhesania, Eric Ian Robinson, Harvey Weinstein, Joan Collins Carey, Joe Goyette, Maurice Kanbar, Rachel L. Warren, Rebecca Palatnik, Robert Anich, Rose-Anne Tisserand, Russell D. Pollock, Stuart Neumann and Ted Rogers
Screenplay: Cory Edwards (story/ screenplay), Todd Edwards (story/screenplay), Tony Leech (story/screenplay), Mike Disa (screenplay) and Michael Ludy (punch-up/sketches)
Composer: Murray Gold
Image Resolution: 1080p
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audio: English: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
French: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Subtitles: English SDH and Spanish
Running Time: 87 Minutes
Region: Region A/1
Number of discs: 3
Studio: The Weinstein Company
Andrew's Blu-ray Review: ‘HOODWINKED TOO! HOOD vs. EVIL’ was an obvious choice for a sequel treatment. But of course this computer animation is not to everyone’s taste, but I love it. Released at the turn of 2006, the computer animated comedy was the first hit of newly-formed The Weinstein Company. Grossing over $50 million domestically and $110 million worldwide on a reported $15 million production budget, it was one of the few clearly profitable films from The Weinstein Company had in their rough first years on their own. It received mixed reviews, but the public liked it and they should have, because its Rash monic take on the story of Little Red Riding Hood was clever and entertaining, comparable to the two Shrek animated films that had been made by then.
Timing played a big part in the computer animated film's success and in the epic failure of this year's sequel, ‘HOODWINKED TOO! HOOD vs. EVIL.’ 2006 would see record output of theatrical animation. By opening on Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, the original `Hoodwinked' preceded the CGI onslaught to come. At the time, fewer than two dozen computer-animated films had played in cinemas in American and Europe, starting with `Toy Story.' Computer animation seemed to be a fail-proof medium and every studio around pushed to release another animation film in it that year.
Computer animation has remained popular and lucrative. Five of the year's ten top-grossing films were computer-animated comedies. But the medium has come a long way from novelty status and sure-fire profitability. The average North American gross has dropped from $167 million in 2005 to $124 million right now, with many middling and low grosses cancelling out massive year ruling hits like ‘Shrek 2’ and ‘Toy Story 3.’ Certainly, the marketplace is much different these days than it was at the beginning of 2006. Though a beloved franchise like ‘Toy Story’ could let eleven years pass between instalments to record-high demand, a computer animation like ‘HOODWINKED TOO! HOOD vs. EVIL,’ took over five years, violated a statute of limitations for a mildly popular animated family film. Children who had enjoyed ‘Hoodwinked’ had either grown up or moved on and the film wasn't on the public's minds long after it hit home video entertainment.
‘HOODWINKED TOO! HOOD vs. EVIL’ opens with white text on black screens, its first of a seemingly record three times crediting the voice cast, why, is a bit of a puzzle. The astute will notice that in the role of Red Riding Hood, Anne Hathaway has been replaced with the more available, affordable Hayden Panettiere. In addition, Kirk the woodsman, previously voiced by Jim Belushi, has been upgraded to Martin Short, although the part is little more than a cameo this time around. After those credits, a storybook and narration briefly recap the events of the first computer animation film.
The story begins with the covert agents of H.E.A. (Happily Ever After) working on a mission. Roly-poly siblings Hansel [Bill Hader] and Gretel [Amy Poehler] have been taken prisoner by a nefarious witch in a gingerbread house. Taking their orders from head frog Nicky Flippers [David Ogden Stiers], Granny Puckett [Glenn Close], The Big Bad Wolf [Patrick Warburton], and less important employees narrow in on the candy home. The rescue attempt is botched and Granny gets whisked away along with Verushka the witch [Joan Cusack], children, and house.
Such a development requires H.E.A. contacting Red Riding Hood, who for some reason is training in China (with scenes that feel lifted from ‘Kung Fu Panda’) with the Sisters of the Hood. It turns out that Verushka herself is a former Sister, who now demands the top secret, never-written, never-spoken ingredient of the order's most important confection, the Norwegian Black Forest Truffle, aka the Super Truffle, which grants its eater invincibility. All is not as it seems in Granny's captivity, where half our time is spent, the rest going to Red and Wolf's rescue efforts.
Twitchy the squirrel (screenwriter Cory Edwards) again pops up from time to time. Also returning in a cameo is the first film's unlikely villain Boingo the Bunny [Andy Dick]. New characters include a giant club owner [Brad Garrett], the Three Little Pigs (two-thirds of whom are voiced by Cheech and Chong), and a golden harp modelled after Jimmy Durante [Wayne Newton].
In tone, this comic mystery is not far from its predecessor. In success, though, it falls way slightly short and somewhere in between a television advert and a children's video game quality. The production values of the original computer animation, which was made by a team of twenty in a rented house in the Philippines, was slightly lacking, but at least there was the screenplay's wit holding everything up. This one, produced by Canada's Starz Animation ‘Gnomeo & Juliet,’ which has a great deal of wit and most of it is determined to fly completely over young heads and connect more with adults.
HOODWINKED TOO! HOOD vs. EVIL MUSIC TRACK LIST
HIT BY A MOTOCYCLE (Written by Mike Disa) [Performed by Benjy Gaither and Stefan Marks]
KUNG FU FIGHTING (Written by Carl Douglas) [Performed by Bill Hare]
H.R. PUFNSTUF (Courtesy of Sid & Marty Krofft Pictures)
BIG CITY (Written by Dan Myers) (Produced by Dan Myers and John Ovnik) [Performed by Dan Myers]
LIVING IN A FAIRYTALE (With You) (Written by Dan Myers) (Produced by Dan Myers and John Ovnik) (Vocals produced by Tom Keane) [Performed by Wayne Newton]
LOOK OUT SHORTY! (Written by Dan Myers) (Produced by Dan Myers and John Ovnik) (Vocals produced by Tom Keane) [Performed by Wayne Newton]
VISITING IN THE CITY (Written by Mike Disa) [Performed by Benjy Gaither and Stefan Marks]
SCHNITZEL (Written by James Todd Edwards)
I CAN DO IT ALONE (Written by Tom Keane, Bruce Watson, Kasey McGuire and Brett Klorer) (Produced by Tom Keane) [Performed by Hayden Panettiere]
URBAN TALK SHOW (Written by Aaron Purvis)
SHARK ATTACK! (Written by Christopher Tin)
SINGING BY THE CAMPFIRE (Written by Mike Disa) [Performed by Benjy Gaither and Stefan Marks]
KUNG FU FIGHTING (Written by Carl Douglas) [Performed by Theo Bleckmann]
MAMBO CHA CHA (Written by Marc Durst) (Courtesy of APM Music)
GOING TO THE AIRPORT (Written by Mike Disa) [Performed by Benjy Gaither and Stefan Marks]
LUCKY GOAT (Written by Mike Disa) [Performed by Benjy Gaither]
YOU KNOW IT (Written by Andrea Remanda, Deron Johnson and Lavay Cole) (Produced by Deron Johnson) [Performed by Lavay Cole and Andrea Remanda]
INSEPARABLE (Written by Tom Keane, Bruce Watson, Eric Pressley and Carrie Jo Crosby) (Produced by Tom Keane) [Performed by Hayden Panettiere]
LITTLE SQUIRREL (Forage For Your Love) (Written by Dan Myers) (Produced by Dan Myers and John Ovnik) [Performed by Dan Myers]
PERFECT TWO (Written by Ceej) (Produced and Arranged by Tom Keane for DMG Inc.) [Performed by Ceej] (Courtesy of Del-Fi Music Group)
3D Blu-ray Image Quality – ‘HOODWINKED TOO! HOOD vs. EVIL,’ gives results that are to me very acceptable and totally extraordinary at the same time. But if you read other reviews they slate this computer animation with very negative reviews, well I think they are totally out of order, as to me this 3D Blu-ray is a stunning image sensation, obviously those negative people ought to get new 3D glasses, as they must be faulty. The film opens with a storybook lying flat on a table; there's an obvious sense of space from the table to the top of the book whether it's open or closed. The night time raid that follows squeezes out some perceptible depth, a rarity with blackened or very dark backgrounds. Longer shots with more complex animation, as well as the overhead shot of the lounge where Jimmy Ten Strings performs, you get to enjoy a very nice realistic; scope and scale. A staircase seems to extend back into the screen in one shot, but the effect is somewhat lessened by the innate softness that characterizes the further steps. There are no real pop out of the screen moments; a missile shoots towards the audience at one point, but it hardly seems to penetrate the screen. All in all, this is a superior effective 3D image.
3D Blu-ray Audio Quality – ‘HOODWINKED TOO! HOOD vs. EVIL’ features a stunning 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack that accompanies the aforementioned 2D only release. The clarity is brilliant, and has a completely lots of volume and energy at all reference levels. The heavier sound effects of an explosion, the roar of a jet engine, the zipping of a motorcycle are awesome, but the basic delivery in terms of directionality, spacing, and the like is great. Likewise, surround use is sporadic at best, and the track draws the audience into the film. On top of all that the dialogue is crisp and accurate as it flows from the centre channel while music enjoys a full front-half delivery. Make sure to crank up the volume with this one, especially a bit past your normal levels.
Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Music Video: “I Can Do It Alone” Featuring Hayden Panettiere [2009] [480i] [1.37:1] [3:34] This is an Auto-Tuned non-diegetic number, which is supposed to represent a style of fiction storytelling that presents an interior view of the world. It looks totally sweaty and suspendered, and Hayden Panettiere sings while looking straight into the camera, now how boring is that and not very creative.
Music Video: “You Know It” Featuring Lavay Cole [2009] [480i] [1.37:1] [3:02] It is supposedly creatively in turning a school library into a dance party. The end credits rap is a song I hope the Academy can remember not to be implemented.
Music Video: Perfect Two Featuring CEEJ [2009] [480i] [1.37:1]] [3:13] Here we find an unknown teenager singing and strumming with a guitar in a variety of locations, her red hooded sweatshirt and similarly coloured other outfits is an apparent nod to Red Riding Hood, who features now and again in the occasional split-screen.
Special Feature: The Voices of Hoodwinked Too! [2009] [480i] [1.37:1] [19:13] Here individual voice cast members discuss their work on the film, who all enjoyed their experience, but most of all we get great praise from director/co-writer Mike Disa. Contributors include: Hayden Panettiere [Red Riding Hood], Patrick Warburton [The Big Bad Wolf], Heidi Klum [Heidi], Wayne Newton [Jimmy 10 Strings] and David Ogden [Nicky Flippers].
Special Feature: Storyboards Sequences [2009] [480i] [1.37:1] [4:29] Here we get to view a series of hand-drawn sketches and storyboards for two action sequences, which includes Bridge and H.E.A. Invasion
Special Feature: Production Artwork [2009] [1080p] [1.78:1] Here essentially, we get to view a stills gallery displaying the original artwork made for the 3D animated film and featuring the various characters.
Special Feature: Hoodwinked Too! Video Game Teasers [2009] [480i] [1.37:1] [0:41] Here we get a short glimpse view of Red's Escape Mobile Game Teaser and Decoder Games Teaser.
Finally, ‘HOODWINKED TOO! HOOD vs. EVIL’ is a sequel computer animation film, which I found surprisingly entertaining which really works brilliantly, but as I said earlier, this computer animation is not liked by a lot of people, well I totally disagree with them, because Hood vs. Evil has the same low-tech computer design as the original, with lots of brilliant sarcastic humour, cleverness, and lots of joyous fun. Whether or not you liked the first computer animation film, and I know you will enjoy this one very much, which is worth seeing only to demonstrate the brilliant 3D animation. The Weinstein Company have put together a pretty nice package for the film, with a flawless feature presentation and a standard but satisfying half hour of bonuses. This 3D Blu-ray + 2D Blu-ray + DVD combo also carries a list price that is a brilliant low price and that is why it is well worth purchasing. So overall, I loved the first ‘Hoodwink’ animation and I am eager to purchase it and that is why I am so happy to have purchased this follow up and really enjoyed it and I am so pleased I now have this in my 3D Blu-ray Collection. Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
