Nov 26, 2013

Leica's new "Boxtroll" teaser is the best animated trailer of 2013

How does a stop motion animation studio distinguish itself from the pack and avoid having its film labeled as yet another computer animated film- In their new teaser trailer for Box Trolls, LAIKA met that challenge, and then some.

Set to “He's Got the Whole World in His Hands,” the trailer opens with a full minute of behind-the-scenes puppet goodness: armature machining, sculpting, moldmaking, casting, fabrication, set design, you name it. Then, the payoff: 35 seconds of fantastic-looking footage from the film.

Is this the best way to sell an animated film- I don't know…and frankly, I don't care. But as an animation fan, I'm thrilled to see a studio take a stand and do something risky. This trailer proclaims: “Marvel at our artistry! We're not just making this film to sell you shit. We're going to tell you a story with the highest commitment to creativity and craftmanship! And we're proud of it!” What a statement. Box Trolls, directed by Anthony Stacchi and Graham Annable, will open on September 26, 2014.

If the video below is unviewable, watch it on Apple's website.