'Turbo' Movie Review: Ryan Reynolds Animated Film Gets Mixed Reviews [TRAILER]
Turbo, an underdog story, comes to theaters on July 17, and critics have mixed reviews about the animated film.
The main character Turbo, a snail, is a slow moving creature who dreams of competing in the Indy 500 race. His fate changes when a a freak accident gives him the speed he's always dreamed of. Voiced by Ryan Reynolds, the little snail aspires to be different than the others who don't really strive for much in life.
This plot, however, doesn't sit well with some critics, who believe that instead of delivering the message that children can achieve anything they put their minds to, the film offers another message.
"Unfortunately, the real embedded lesson of Turbo is that, if you're too small or weak or otherwise incapable of greatness, you have a shot to win if you're juiced," wrote The Hollywood Reporter in its July 10 review.
While the publication called the movie's dialogue "repetitive," it did praise the voiceovers. It defined them as "solid" and "distinctive."
Aside from Reynolds, other stars that lend their voices to the DreamWorks film include Samuel L. Jackson, Paul Giamatti, Michelle Rodriguez, Snoop Dogg, Maya Rudolph, Ben Schwartz, Richard Jenkins and Ken Jeong.
Some critics, however, called the movie cunning.
"Here, the laughs come not from the silly voices but a blend of snappy editing and clever character bits, including a recurring joke about an inappropriately named sidekick who calls himself White Shadow (Michael Patrick Bell)," Variety wrote in its review on July 10.
Variety also explained that the film will easily be able to appeal to urban audiences because of the movie's inclusion of hip-hop themes.
Still, other critics put the focus on the film's main target - the youth.
"The kids will love it," Autoweek simply wrote in its July 11 review.
Children will probably be intrigued with the racing scenes which the publication deemed "sufficiently dramatic."
One problem for the animated film is that it's in competition with Despicable Me 2 and The Smurfs 2, BoxOffice.com points out. Being up against such movies, "won't do it many favors," the website said.
