UglyDolls explained

UglyDolls
Director:Kelly Asbury
Screenplay:Alison Peck
Story:Robert Rodriguez
Larry Stuckey (uncredited)
Music:Christopher Lennertz[1]
Distributor:STX Entertainment (United States)
VVS Films (Canada)
Huaxia Film Distribution (China)
Runtime:87 minutes[2]
Language:English
Spanish
Budget:$45–53 million[3]
Gross:$32.5 million[4]

UglyDolls is a 2019 animated musical adventure-comedy film directed by Kelly Asbury and written by Alison Peck, from a story by Robert Rodriguez, who also produced. It is based on the plush toys of the same name by David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim, and follows a group of them as they try to find owners in the "Big World" despite their flaws. The film stars the voices of Kelly Clarkson, Janelle Monáe, Blake Shelton, Wanda Sykes, Gabriel Iglesias, Wang Leehom, Nick Jonas, and Pitbull.

UglyDolls was theatrically released by STX Films, the first animated film produced by the company. It received negative reviews from critics and grossed $32 million worldwide, and was the last film directed by Kelly Asbury, who died in June 2020 from cancer.[5] [6]

Plot

In a hidden universe within a toy factory, deformed dolls, or Uglies/UglyDolls, are dropped into a tunnel leading to the secluded town of Uglyville. Among these dolls is Moxy, who dreams of the 'Big World' and being loved by a child, despite Uglyville's Mayor Ox assuring her this concept is a myth. One day, Moxy enters the tunnel to find her way to the Big World, followed by the town's cynical baker Wage, easy-going Ugly Dog, shy wiseman Lucky Bat, and soft-hearted giant Babo.

The UglyDolls discover the Institute of Perfection, where Perfect Dolls (or "Pretties") are rigorously trained. The vain and superficial leader of the institute, Lou, tells Moxy and her friends that they cannot hope to pass the training for the Gauntlet - an obstacle course based on a human house, which determines if a doll will be allowed to use the portal to the Big World. Faced with Moxy's positivity, Lou relents and lets them train; however, he sends his three Spy Girls to find out where Moxy's group came from.

The Uglydolls's first days of training end in disaster. Mandy, one of the Pretties, sympathizes with them, as she has poor eyesight but can't wear glasses for fear of being labeled 'ugly' and put in the dreaded recycling center. She gives them some pointers, and helps them dress the part of a 'perfect doll'.

The Spy Girls return with a kidnapped Ox, and Lou makes him admit to Moxy he actually knew about the Big World, as he had once trained with Lou for the Gauntlet and nearly passed. However, the Pretties turned on Ox, and Lou sent him down the tunnel, claiming he thought it led to safety. Ox found the recycling center there; seeing other dolls like himself being shredded up, he rerouted the tunnel and founded Uglyville at the other end.

Demoralized by the realization they are factory rejects, the entire town of Uglyville falls into despair and Moxy resigns herself to her fate. Mandy visits and encourages Moxy to keep her faith, as it has given all the imperfect Pretties hope that they might succeed. Moxy and Mandy are then ambushed by the Spy Girls and are taken to Lou who has unblocked the recycling center. He leaves Mandy and Moxy to be shredded. Ox learns what has happened from Buttons and rallies the UglyDolls to rescue the pair.

The entire population of Uglyville arrives at the institute on the day of the Gauntlet. Moxy, Mandy, and several Uglies demand to be allowed to participate. Lou announces he and several others will run with them, secretly planning to sabotage the Uglies' chances. Once in the Gauntlet, Lou shows his true colors as a coward, abandoning Nolan and the Spy Girls who are saved by the Uglies.

Lou kicks a robot baby, making it cry much to the shock of everyone. Moxy comforts the baby instead of finishing the course, prompting all but Lou to do the same. The system automatically passes them, since a Doll's true purpose is to make a child happy. Lou is failed despite finishing the course, and is forced to admit he is only a prototype and forbidden to leave the factory. When he saw Ox nearly pass the training, he couldn't bear to see an Ugly go to the human world when he, supposedly perfection itself, could not. He sabotaged Ox so he'd hopefully be killed in the recycling center.

Seeing everyone has turned on him, Lou smashes the portal to the human world out of spite. The robot dog and Nolan put Lou in a washing machine as punishment, but the portal is irrevocably destroyed. The Uglies and Pretties work together to build a new, permanently-open portal that does not require any training to pass back and forth through. They combine their towns into the City of Imperfection, still led by Mayor Ox. Moxy finally passes through the portal and is placed in the arms of her perfect child, Maizy, who has the same missing tooth as Moxy does.

During the credits, it is shown that several Uglies and Pretties have found their perfect human while a bedraggled Lou has been demoted to janitorial duty.

Cast

Production

In May 2011, it was announced that Illumination had acquired the rights to Uglydolls to make an animated feature film. Chris Meledandri was set to produce, with a screenplay from Larry Stuckey. The original creators, David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim, were set to executive produce.[9] Four years later, in 2015, Variety magazine reported that an animated film based on Uglydolls would be the first project produced by STX Entertainment's new "family and animation" division.[10] On March 28, 2017, Robert Rodriguez signed on to direct, write, and produce the film, with a release date set for May 10, 2019.[11] Animation for the film was done at Reel FX Creative Studios.[12]

In March 2018, it was announced that the voice of rapper Pitbull would be featured in the film for an unknown role, and he would also provide an original song for the film.[13] In May 2018, it was announced that Kelly Asbury had signed on to direct the feature film.[14] In July 2018, another singer Kelly Clarkson joined the voice cast of the film as the voice of Moxy, and would provide an original song for the film.[15] In August 2018, Nick Jonas joined the voice cast of the film, and he would also perform an original song for the film.[16] In September 2018, comedians Wanda Sykes and Gabriel Iglesias joined the film.[17] On September 20, 2018, it was announced that country music singer Blake Shelton had joined the film, and would voice Ox, as well as performing original music.[18] In October 2018, it was announced that Wang Leehom, Janelle Monáe and Emma Roberts had been cast in the film.[19]

Music

See main article: UglyDolls (soundtrack). The film features original music from Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas, Blake Shelton, Janelle Monáe, Bebe Rexha, Pentatonix, Anitta, and Why Don't We.[15] The musical score is composed by Christopher Lennertz while songs are written by Lennertz and Glenn Slater. The film's soundtrack was released by Atlantic Records.[20]

Clarkson's track "Broken & Beautiful" was released on March 27, 2019, prior to the album, as the soundtrack's lead single.[21] The Brazilian singer Anitta contributed "Ugly" to the original soundtrack in English. She also recorded two alternative versions of "Ugly", one in Spanish and one in Portuguese, for their respective markets. These versions were released prior to the release of the film and are not included in the soundtrack in these markets.

Pitbull was also slated to have an original song for the film, which was to be a parody of "You Make My Dreams" by Daryl Hall and John Oates. However, Pitbull's contributions to the song were scrapped, as he broke the fourth wall as Uglydog. Pentatonix was then given the final version of the record, which was included in the movie's soundtrack. Pitbull's original version, titled "Dreams Come True", can be found on DJ record pools for promotional use.

Release

UglyDolls was initially scheduled to be released on May 10, 2019, but was later moved up a week to May 3 in order to avoid competition with Pokémon: Detective Pikachu.[22]

The studio spent around $40 million on promotions and advertisements for the film.

Home media

UglyDolls was released on Digital HD on July 16, 2019, and on DVD and Blu-ray on July 30, 2019.

Additional media

A video game tie-in for various platforms was produced by Outright Games titled Ugly Dolls: An Imperfect Adventure, with the initial retail price being US$39.99.[23] [24] A variety of merchandise, including plush toys, playsets, and blind bags, was released by Hasbro featuring several characters from the movie.[25]

Reception

Box office

UglyDolls grossed $20.2 million in the United States and Canada, and $11.2 in other territories, for a worldwide total of $31.4 million.[26]

In the United States and Canada, UglyDolls was released alongside The Intruder and Long Shot, and was projected to gross $12–14 million from 3,652 theaters in its opening weekend.[27] The film made $2.5 million on its first day, including $300,000 from Thursday night previews. However, it underperformed in its first week, finishing fourth in box office receipts at only $8.6 million.[28] The film fell 51.8% in its second weekend, grossing $4.1 million and finishing in seventh place.[29]

Critical response

[30] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale, while those at PostTrak gave it 2.5 out of 5 stars and a 51% "definite recommend".

Owen Gleiberman of Variety magazine was positive, saying that "the sincerity with which UglyDolls pits unblemished conformity against ungainly soul is touching—and, yes, instructive—in all the right ways."[31] Jesse Hassenger of The A.V. Club gave the film a grade C− and wrote: "Like their Troll ancestors, the UglyDolls combine an evergreen cuteness with a why-now lack of currency."[32]

Accolades

UglyDolls was awarded a ReFrame Stamp in the category "Top 100-Grossing Narrative Feature" for involving women in at least four of eight key areas of production.[33] The song "Broken & Beautiful" was nominated in the 2019 Teen Choice Awards in the category "Choice Song from a Movie".[34] [35]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Christopher Lennertz to Compose Score & Songs for Kelly Asbury's 'UglyDolls' | Film Music Reporter . September 1, 2018 . March 2, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210302103610/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2018/07/11/christopher-lennertz-to-compose-score-songs-for-kelly-asburys-uglydolls/ . live .
  2. Web site: UGLYDOLLS | British Board of Film Classification . October 24, 2019 . October 24, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191024155115/https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/uglydolls-2019 . dead .
  3. Web site: 10 Riskiest, Priciest Summer Movie Gambles, From 'Dark Phoenix' to 'Detective Pikachu'. TheWrap. Beatrice. Verhoeven. Trey. Williams. April 23, 2019. April 24, 2019. February 26, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220226171936/https://www.thewrap.com/10-riskiest-priciest-summer-movie-gambles-from-dark-phoenix-to-detective-pikachu/. live.
  4. Web site: UglyDolls (2019) . . October 25, 2019 . August 22, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190822190329/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=uglydolls.htm . live .
  5. Web site: RIP, Kelly Asbury, Director Of 'Shrek 2' and 'Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron'. Amid. Amidi. Cartoon Brew. June 26, 2020. June 26, 2020. June 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200629072752/https://www.cartoonbrew.com/rip/rip-kelly-asbury-director-of-shrek-2-and-spirit-stallion-of-the-cimarron-193729.html. live.
  6. Web site: Kelly Asbury, Director of 'Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron' and 'Shrek 2,' Dies at 60. Variety. June 26, 2020. June 30, 2020. June 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200627120643/https://variety.com/2020/film/obituaries-people-news/kelly-asbury-dead-dies-spirit-stallion-of-the-cimarron-shrek-2-1234692023/. live.
  7. News: Alexander. Bryan. 'UglyDolls' first trailer: Watch Kelly Clarkson's wonderfully weird Moxy in animated movie. USA Today. November 4, 2018. May 1, 2018. October 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211001082024/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2018/11/04/kelly-clarkson-reveals-her-moxy-first-look-uglydolls-movie/1853288002/. live.
  8. Web site: Emma Roberts Joins STX Animation 'UglyDolls' With Kelly Clarkson & Blake Shelton. Deadline Hollywood. Andreas. Wiseman. October 8, 2018. October 8, 2018. August 13, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200813003651/https://deadline.com/2018/10/emma-roberts-american-horror-story-uglydolls-stx-kelly-clarkson-janelle-monae-nick-jonas-1202478237/. live.
  9. News: Fleming. Mike. Chris Meledandri's Illumination To Turn Uglydoll Into Animated Film. Deadline Hollywood. May 26, 2011. August 16, 2017. December 13, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131213122203/http://www.deadline.com/2011/05/chris-meledandris-illumination-to-turn-uglydoll-into-animated-film/. live.
  10. News: Lang. Brent. STX Entertainment Plans Uglydoll Film, Launches Family Division (EXCLUSIVE). August 16, 2017. Variety. May 28, 2015. July 10, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180710225257/https://variety.com/2015/film/news/uglydoll-movie-stx-entertaiment-1201507456/. live.
  11. News: Robert Rodriguez to Direct 'Ugly Dolls' Animated Film for STX. Khatchatourian. Maane. March 28, 2017. Variety. August 16, 2017. January 14, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190114152049/https://variety.com/2017/film/news/robert-rodriguez-ugly-dolls-animated-movie-1202017936/. live.
  12. Web site: Why Hollywood Can't Stop Making Films About Lego, Emojis, And Angry Birds. Cartoon Brew. August 14, 2017. June 18, 2018. December 17, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171217092128/http://www.cartoonbrew.com/ideas-commentary/hollywood-cant-stop-making-films-lego-emojis-angry-birds-152845.html. live.
  13. Web site: Pitbull Joining STX's Animated UglyDolls Movie. March 13, 2018. June 18, 2018. Variety. Dave McNary. July 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180714170333/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/pitbull-stx-animated-uglydolls-movie-1202725584/. live.
  14. News: Donnelly. Matt. STX Sets 'Uglydolls' Animated Series, Feature Streaming Deal at Hulu. June 18, 2018. TheWrap. May 23, 2018. December 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181212210136/https://www.thewrap.com/stx-sets-uglydolls-animated-series-feature-streaming-deal-hulu/. live.
  15. News: Hipes. Patrick. Kelly Clarkson To Lead Voice Cast Of STX's 'Uglydolls' Movie. July 11, 2018. Deadline. July 11, 2018. September 1, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180901003735/https://deadline.com/2018/07/kelly-clarkson-uglydolls-movie-cast-stxfilms-1202424147/. live.
  16. News: Nick Jonas Joins The Band For STX's 'UglyDolls' Movie. D'Alessandro. Anthony. August 29, 2018. Deadline. August 29, 2018. en-US. October 20, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181020084026/https://deadline.com/2018/08/nick-jonas-stx-uglydoll-movie-cast-1202453868/. live.
  17. Web site: Wanda Sykes, Gabriel Iglesias Join Animated Feature 'UglyDolls'. McNary. Dave. September 12, 2018. September 12, 2018. Variety. November 10, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181110040343/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/gabriel-iglesias-wanda-sykes-stx-uglydolls-movie-1202937885/. live.
  18. Web site: Blake Shelton Joins Kelly Clarkson in 'UglyDolls' Movie. Hollywood Reporter. Galuppo. Mia. September 20, 2018. September 20, 2018. October 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181005013425/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/blake-shelton-joins-uglydolls-movie-kelly-clarkson-1145537. live.
  19. Web site: Janelle Monae Joins Harriet Tubman Biopic and 'UglyDolls' Voice Cast (EXCLUSIVE). Kroll. Justin. Variety. October 2, 2018. October 2, 2018. October 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181003112731/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/janelle-monae-harriet-tubman-movie-uglydolls-1202964332/. live.
  20. Web site: 'UglyDolls' Soundtrack Details. Film Music Reporter. March 20, 2019. May 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220504112924/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2019/03/20/uglydolls-soundtrack-details/. live.
  21. 'UglyDolls' Soundtrack Features New Music From Nick Jonas, Kelly Clarkson & More: See Track List. Billboard. Acevedo. Angelica. March 27, 2019. March 28, 2019.
  22. Web site: STX's 'UglyDolls' To Launch First Weekend Of May. D'Alessandro. Anthony. Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media, LLC.. December 13, 2018. December 14, 2018. March 23, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190323060929/https://deadline.com/2018/12/stxs-uglydolls-to-launch-first-weekend-of-may-1202519937/. live.
  23. Web site: Ugly Dolls: An Imperfect Adventure. 2020-10-11. Outright Games. en-US. October 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201016102238/https://outrightgames.com/us/games/ugly-dolls-an-imperfect-adventure/. live.
  24. Web site: Snaith. Kim. 2019-08-09. UglyDolls: An Imperfect Adventure Review. 2020-10-11. GameSpew. en-GB. September 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200921010445/https://www.gamespew.com/2019/08/uglydolls-an-imperfect-adventure-review/. live.
  25. Web site: Weird and Wonderful Plushies - UglyDolls. 2020-10-11. uglydolls.hasbro.com. October 18, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201018040313/https://uglydolls.hasbro.com/en-us. live.
  26. Web site: UglyDolls (2019). The Numbers. July 5, 2019. June 16, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190616155952/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/UglyDolls-(2019)#tab=summary. live.
  27. Web site: 'Avengers: Endgame' Eyes Another Super-Powered Box Office Haul in 2nd Weekend. TheWrap. Jeremy Fuster. April 30, 2019. April 30, 2019. May 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190501041024/https://www.thewrap.com/avengers-endgame-box-office-second-weekend/. live.
  28. Web site: 'Avengers: Endgame' Mows Down 'Long Shot', 'Intruder' & 'UglyDolls' With $146M+ Second Weekend, Crosses $600M In Record Time. Deadline Hollywood. Anthony D'Alessandro. May 4, 2019. May 4, 2019. May 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190504214711/https://deadline.com/2019/05/avengers-endgame-box-office-second-weekend-uglydolls-charlize-theron-seth-rogen-long-shot-1202606827/. live.
  29. News: D'Alessandro . Anthony . 'Pokemon Detective Pikachu' Grabs $58M In 'Endgame' Dominated Universe; Marvel Pic 3rd Highest Domestic With $724M+ – Sunday Update . May 12, 2019 . . May 12, 2019 . May 12, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190512032057/https://deadline.com/2019/05/pokemon-detective-pikachu-avengers-endgame-box-office-weekend-1202611690/ . live .
  30. Web site: UglyDolls (2019) reviews. Metacritic. CBS Interactive. August 16, 2019. May 20, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190520040119/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/uglydolls. live.
  31. Web site: Film Review: 'UglyDolls'. Variety. Owen Gleiberman. May 1, 2019. May 1, 2019. May 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190501154528/https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/uglydolls-review-kelly-clarkson-nick-jonas-1203202149/. live.
  32. Web site: Leave UglyDolls on the shelf. The A.V. Club. Jesse Hassenger. May 1, 2019. May 1, 2019. May 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190501144512/https://film.avclub.com/leave-uglydolls-on-the-shelf-1834420250. live.
  33. Web site: N'Duka. Amanda. 2020-02-26. ReFrame Stamp Affixed On Record 26 Films For 2019. 2020-11-17. Deadline. en-US. February 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200227011623/https://deadline.com/2020/02/reframe-stamp-films-booksmart-captain-marvel-2019-1202869004/. live.
  34. Yang. Rachel. August 11, 2019. Teen Choice Awards 2019: See the full list of winners and nominees. 2020-11-17. Entertainment Weekly. EN.
  35. Web site: Sun. Rebecca. February 26, 2020. ReFrame Stamp Awarded to 26 Films From 2019. 2020-11-17. Hollywood Reporter. November 17, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201117051454/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/reframe-stamp-awarded-26-films-2019-1281516. live.

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