Gnomeo & Juliet

Gnomeo & Juliet

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Kelly Asbury
Produced by Baker Bloodworth
David Furnish
Steve Hamilton Shaw
Screenplay by John R. Smith
Rob Sprackling (Original)
Kelly Asbury
Mark Burton
Andy Riley
Kevin Cecil
Emily Cook
Kathy Greenberg
Steve Hamilton Shaw
Story by Kelly Asbury
John R. Smith
Rob Sprackling
Andy Riley
Kevin Cecil
Steve Hamilton Shaw
Based on Romeo and Juliet
by William Shakespeare
Starring James McAvoy
Emily Blunt
Michael Caine
Maggie Smith
Jason Statham
Jim Cummings
Matt Lucas
Patrick Stewart
Ashley Jensen
Stephen Merchant
Dolly Parton
Ozzy Osbourne
Music by Elton John
Chris P. Bacon
James Newton Howard
Edited by Catherine Apple
Production
company
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures
Entertainment One Films[2][3]
(United Kingdom)
Release dates
  • January 23, 2011 (2011-01-23) (Hollywood premiere)
  • February 11, 2011 (2011-February-11) (US and UK)
Running time
 84 minutes[2]
Country United Kingdom[1]
United States[1]
Language English
Budget $36 million[4]
Box office $194 million[5]

Gnomeo & Juliet is a 2011 British-American 3D computer-animated fantasy romantic comedy family film loosely based on William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. Financed by Disney[6] and released through its Touchstone Pictures banner,[7] the film was independently produced by Rocket Pictures and animated by Starz Animation.[6] It was written and directed by Kelly Asbury, and the two title characters are voiced by James McAvoy and Emily Blunt.

The film premiered at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on January 23, 2011. It was theatrically released in the United Kingdom and United States on February 11, 2011.[2][8] Despite mixed reviews, the film earned $194 million on a $36 million budget. The film received nominations for the Satellite Award for Original Song, the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, the Critics' Choice Award for Best Song and the Annie Award for Directing in a Feature Production, Storyboarding in a Feature Production, Voice Acting in a Feature Production and Writing in a Feature Production.

Plot

Mrs. Montague and Mr. Capulet (Julie Walters and Richard Wilson) are two elderly neighbours who despise each other. When they leave their respective gardens, their garden gnomes come alive. The Montague garden is filled with blue-hat gnomes, and the Capulet garden has red-hat gnomes. Like their human gardeners, the gnomes also despise each other.

The gnomes hold a back alley lawnmower race, with Gnomeo (James McAvoy) driving for the blues and Tybalt (Jason Statham) for the reds. Tybalt cheats to win the race, destroying Gnomeo's lawnmower. Gnomeo and his best friend, Benny (Matt Lucas), are disappointed to see Mrs. Montague ordering a new "kitty" lawnmower.

That night, Gnomeo and Benny infiltrate the red garden in black disguise. Benny sprays Tybalt's well and accidentally triggers a security light. During the escape Gnomeo ends up in a nearby garden where he bumps into a disguised Juliet (Emily Blunt), the daughter of the red gnomes leader Lord Redbrick (Michael Caine). Juliet is attempting to retrieve a unique orchid, and the two romantically fight over it. They each discover the other's color before fleeing the garden. When they both go back to their own gardens, Juliet tells her frog-sprinkler friend Nanette (Ashley Jensen) about her newfound love. Nanette states that the relationship is romantically tragic.

Gnomeo and Juliet have secret meetings in the nearby garden, where they meet a pink plastic flamingo named Featherstone (Jim Cummings) who encourages their love. Lord Redbrick pairs Juliet with a Red Gnome named Paris (Stephen Merchant), but Juliet isn't interested in him and distracts him with Nanette who has feelings for him.

Gnomeo's mother and the blue gnomes leader Lady Bluebury (Maggie Smith), is distraught after the reds infiltrate the garden and destroy the plant nurtured by Gnomeo's deceased father. The blues want Gnomeo to take revenge on the reds, and he realizes that he cannot refuse unless he tells his secret. Just as he is about to spray the prized tulips of the reds, Juliet sees him and he backs out of the attack.

When he and Juliet meet up again, they argue until Featherstone stops them, telling them he lost his wife when the two people living in the house, where the garden is, broke up and never saw each other again. Benny sees them and runs into the alleyway, where Tybalt is waiting with his lawnmower, attempting to run Benny down and chops off his hat. Gnomeo intervenes, and he and Tybalt fight on the red lawnmower until the lawnmower runs into the wall. Gnomeo jumps off at the last minute, but Tybalt crashes into the wall, destroying himself. The reds attempt to attack Gnomeo, thinking that Tybalt died because of him, but Juliet, to the surprise of her clan, defends Gnomeo, saying that she loves him. Gnomeo ends up on a road, and everyone believes he was run over by a truck. Lord Redbrick and the red gnomes glue Juliet's feet to her fountain because he does not want to lose her as she lost her mother.

Gnomeo is still alive, eventually reaching a park where he climbs onto a statue of William Shakespeare (Patrick Stewart) and tells him his story. Shakespeare tells Gnomeo that his story is very similar to Romeo and Juliet and that it is likely Gnomeo's will have a sad ending as well.

Benny gets onto Mrs Montague's computer and changes her lawnmower order to a powerful Terrafirminator unit, intending to get revenge on the reds. However, the Terrafirminator goes out of control, destroys most of the two gardens, and gets itself stuck while the gnomes wage a full-scale war. Gnomeo returns to Juliet with the help of Featherstone. However, when he arrives, the Terrafirminator frees itself, sending it flying. Gnomeo tries to un-glue Juliet, but is unable to. She tells him to go, but he refuses. The two share a passionate kiss just as the lawnmower crashes into the fountain, self-destructing in the process. When everyone believes that both are dead, Lord Redbrick and Lady Bluebury decide to end the feud. Miraculously, Gnomeo and Juliet emerge from the ruins and the two clans celebrate.

The film ends happily with the red and blue gnomes finally coming together to celebrate their newfound peace. Tybalt is revealed to still be alive having been glued back together, Featherstone is reunited with his wife after Benny finds and orders her online, Gnomeo and Juliet are married on a purple lawnmower, which symbolizes the new union of both gnome clans.

Cast

There is no counterpart for Mercutio, as stated by James McAvoy in an interview with NBC, ”Gnomeo in this is a little bit of amalgamation between Romeo and Mercutio. We don’t have that Mercutio character in this. We don’t have that leader of the pack, which Romeo isn’t but Gnomeo is a little bit."[9] Prince Escalus also doesn't have a counterpart.

Production

Gnomeo & Juliet is directed by Kelly Asbury. The original screenplay, inspired by William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, was written by John R. Smith and Rob Sprackling. Asbury, Mark Burton, Kevin Cecil, Emily Cook, Kathy Greenberg, Andy Riley, and Steve Hamilton Shaw worked on the final screenplay. Prior to the casting of James McAvoy and Emily Blunt, the roles of Gnomeo and Juliet were to be voiced by Ewan McGregor and Kate Winslet, respectively.[10]

The film was the original idea of Sprackling and Smith, who sold the spec script to Disney through Rocket Pictures. Disney studio chairman Dick Cook greenlit the film, under the Disney-owned Miramax Films.[11] Miramax was later sold by Disney in 2010, but the latter studio retained the rights to the film. Disney then opted to release the film through its Touchstone Pictures banner, when Starz Animation decided to produce and animate the film. Disney Australian director Adam Elliot was approached and asked to direct the film, but he rejected the offer due the film's incompatibility with his style, as well as his lack of experience with CGI.[12] Starz Animation Toronto (which also made 9) produced all of the animation for the film, including the stereoscopic version.

In addition, this film reunites veteran British actors Maggie Smith and Michael Caine, from the 1978 Neil Simon comedy California Suite, in the roles of Lady Blueberry and Lord Redbrick, respectively.

Soundtrack

Gnomeo & Juliet (Original Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by Elton John
Released February 8, 2011 (2011-02-08)
Recorded 2010
Genre Orchestral, pop, rock
Length 60:24
Label Buena Vista
Producer Elton John and David Furnish
Elton John chronology
The Union
(2010)		 Gnomeo & Juliet Soundtrack
(2011)		 Good Morning to the Night
(2012)

Gnomeo & Juliet: Original Soundtrack is the soundtrack album and was released by Buena Vista Records on February 8, 2011.[13] It features music by Elton John (who was also the film's executive producer), Nelly Furtado, Kiki Dee, and selections from the score composed by Chris P. Bacon and James Newton Howard (who played keyboards for Elton John and arranged strings on many previous projects).

The duet of John and Lady Gaga for "Hello, Hello" was featured in the film, released on February 11, 2011, but the soundtrack version only features John.[14] Additionally, on May 4, 2011 the duet was leaked online and available for download on most sharing websites.

Track listing

  1. "Hello Hello" (Album Version) – Elton John
  2. "Crocodile Rock" – Nelly Furtado & Elton John
  3. "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" – Elton John
  4. "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" – Elton John & Kiki Dee
  5. "Love Builds a Garden" – Elton John
  6. "Your Song" – Elton John
  7. "Rocket Man" – Elton John
  8. "Tiny Dancer" – Elton John
  9. "Bennie and the Jets" – Elton John
  10. "Gnomeo & Juliet (Score)" – Chris P. Bacon and James Newton Howard
  11. "Dandelions (Score)" – Chris P. Bacon and James Newton Howard
  12. "Bennie and the Bunnies (Score)" – Chris P. Bacon and James Newton Howard
  13. "Terrafirminator (Score)" – Chris P. Bacon and James Newton Howard
  14. "The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room" – Wally Boag, Thurl Ravenscroft, Fulton Burley & The Mellomen

Track 1-9: Original lyrics by Bernie Taupin, all music by Elton John & band.
Track 10: Written by James Newton Howard, contains music by Elton John.
Track 11 & 13: Written by James Newton Howard & Chris P. Bacon, contains music by Elton John.
Track 12: Written by James Newton Howard & Stuart Michael Thomas, contains music by Elton John.
Track 14: Written by Robert & Richard Sherman.

Musicians

Elton John & band:

Release

Gnomeo and Juliet's worldwide premiere was at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on January 23, 2011.[15] The film was released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures under the Touchstone Pictures banner on February 11, 2011.[1] The film was Touchstone's first animated film since 1993's The Nightmare Before Christmas and also Touchstone's first and, so far, only film to receive a G rating from the MPAA, despite some mild language. The film was distributed in the United Kingdom and Canada by Entertainment One Films.[3] Elton John and director Asbury presented 10 minutes of the film at the Cannes Film Festival.[16]

Home media

Gnomeo & Juliet was released by Touchstone Home Entertainment on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, and DVD on May 24, 2011.[17][18] The film was produced as three different packages: a 1-disc DVD, a 2-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, and a 3-disc Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, and DVD combo pack. The 3-disc package also includes access to a digital download of the film.[19] Both the DVD and Blu-ray versions of the release include the music video for Elton John and Nelly Furtado's version of John's "Crocodile Rock", as well as the extras "Elton Builds a Garden" and "Frog Talk" with Ashley Jensen.[20] In addition, the Blu-ray version also has several deleted and alternate scenes, as well as a feature with Ozzy Osbourne called "The Fawn of Darkness".[21]

Reception

Critical response

Gnomeo & Juliet received generally mixed reviews. Review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes reported that 55% of professional critics gave positive reviews based on 117 reviews with an average rating of 5.6/10.[22] Its consensus states "While it has moments of inspiration, Gnomeo & Juliet is often too self-referential for its own good".[22] Another review aggregator, Metacritic, gave the film a 53 rating based on 28 reviews on its review scale.[23]

Box office

Gnomeo and Juliet earned $99,967,670 in the North America and an $94,000,000 in other countries for a worldwide total of $193,967,670.[5] Gnomeo & Juliet was ultimately a sleeper hit for Disney, outperforming the much higher-budgeted (and eventual box office bomb)[24] Mars Needs Moms the studio released a month following Gnomeo & Juliet. On its first weekend, the film had a worldwide opening of $30,680,933, finishing in second place behind Just Go with It ($35.8 million).[25][26] However, on its second weekend —Presidents' Day weekend— it topped the worldwide box office (although not being in first place either in North America[27] or overseas[28]) with $29,832,466, ahead of Unknown which ranked second ($26.4 million).

It opened in 2,994 theaters in North America on Friday, February 11, 2011, grossing $6.2 million on its first day and ranking third behind Justin Bieber: Never Say Never and Just Go with It. It then finished the weekend with $25.4 million in third place.[29] However, it scored the largest opening weekend ever for an animated feature released during the winter period (both January and February). It also made the largest debut on record for a minor animated movie (i.e., one with little status, expectations and/or built-in audience), according to Box Office Mojo.[30] With a $99.97 million total it stands as the highest-grossing animated feature among those released in winter.[31]

In the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Malta, it topped the weekend box office by earning £2,945,627 ($4,716,248) on its opening. In total it has grossed $25,283,924, making the UK the only market, except North America, where it grossed more than $10 million.[32]

Accolades

Award Category Winner/Nominee Result
Annie Awards[33] Directing in a Feature Production Kelly Asbury Nominated
Storyboarding in a Feature Production Nelson Yokota Nominated
Voice Acting in a Feature Production Jim Cummings Nominated
Writing in a Feature Production Andy Riley, Kevin Cecil, Mark Burton, Kathy Greenburg, Emily Cook, Rob Sprackling, John R. Smith, Kelly Asbury, Steve Hamilton Shaw Nominated
Critics' Choice Awards[34] Best Song Hello Hello, performed by Elton John and Lady Gaga/written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin Nominated
Golden Globe Awards[35] Best Original Song "Hello Hello" Nominated
Satellite Awards[36] Original Song "Hello Hello" Nominated

Sequel

In March 2012, it was reported that a sequel titled Gnomeo & Juliet: Sherlock Gnomes is in development at Rocket Pictures. Andy Riley and Kevin Cecil, two of the seven writers on the first film, are writing the script for the sequel. Steve Hamilton Shaw and David Furnish are producing the film, and Elton John, an exec producer, is again composing new songs for the film. The film will feature Sherlock Gnomes, "the greatest ornamental detective" hired by the characters from the first film, who will try to solve the mystery of disappearing gnomes.[37] In September 2012, it was reported that John Stevenson, the director of Kung Fu Panda, has been set to direct the sequel.[38] In November 2015, it was announced that Johnny Depp would voice Sherlock Gnomes and that the film is scheduled for release on January 12, 2018.[39] Paramount Animation and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer will produce the film, with McAvoy and Blunt reprising their roles.[40]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Gnomeo & Juliet (2011)". British Film Institute. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 "Gnomeo & Juliet (2D)". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved May 27, 2014. 83m 45s
  3. 1 2 Vlessing, Etan (May 23, 2011). "Film and TV Focus Lifts Entertainment One Profits". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 28, 2015. Among Entertainment One’s movie releases was Gnomeo & Juliet 3D released in Canada and Britain,...
  4. ↑ Screened Forums - Gnomeo and Juliet
  5. 1 2 "Gnomeo and Juliet". Box Office Mojo. Amazon.com. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
  6. 1 2 Desowitz, Bill (February 11, 2011). "Cultivating 'Gnomeo & Juliet'". Animated World Network. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  7. ↑ Day, Patrick Kevin (February 11, 2011). "Critical Mass: 'Gnomeo & Juliet'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  8. ↑ "A dazzling Emily Blunt has the white stuff at the Hollywood premiere of Gnomeo and Juliet". Daily Mail Online. January 24, 2011. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  9. ↑ Huver, Scott. "Emily Blunt and James MacAvoy on the Terror of Gnomes". NBC.
  10. ↑ Reynolds, Simon. "Gnomeo & Juliet". Digital Spy. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  11. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 6, 2015). "Johnny Depp Lending His Voice To Paramount/MGM Sequel 'Sherlock Gnomes'". Deadline.com. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Interview with Adam Elliot, writer/director/designer of Mary and Max". Crickey.com.au. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Buena Vista Records to Release Gnomeo & Juliet Original Soundtrack 2/8". PR Newsire. January 25, 2011. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Lady Gaga, Elton John Duet Won't Appear On 'Gnomeo & Juliet' Soundtrack". Billboard.com. Associated Press. 2011-02-01.
  15. ↑ "A dazzling Emily Blunt has the white stuff at the Hollywood premiere of Gnomeo and Juliet". Daily Mail Online. January 24, 2011. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Elton John in Cannes to promote Gnomeo And Juliet". Citizenside.com. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
  17. ↑ McCutcheon, David (April 1, 2011). "Gnomeo & Juliet Get Together". IGN. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  18. ↑ Grabert, Jessica (April 3, 2011). "Gnomeo & Juliet Rushing Out Of Theaters And On To DVD". Cinema Blend. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  19. ↑ Propst, Andy (April 1, 2011). "Gnomeo and Juliet, Featuring Elton John Songs, Set for May 24 DVD Release". Theater Mania. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  20. ↑ "Gnomeo & Juliet Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D". High-Def Digest. April 4, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  21. ↑ Ribera, J.C. (April 2, 2011). "Disney Brings Gnomeo & Juliet to Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
  22. 1 2 "Gnomeo and Juliet Movie Reviews, Pictures". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  23. ↑ "Gnomeo and Juliet Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  24. ↑ Ben Riley-Smith (March 21, 2011). "'Mars Needs Moms': does flop mean 3D is history?". thefirstpost.co.uk. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
  25. ↑ "Overseas Total Box Office". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
  26. ↑ "February 11–13, 2011 Weekend". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
  27. ↑ "February 18–20, 2011". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
  28. ↑ "Overseas Total Box Office". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
  29. ↑ "February 11–13, 2011". Amazon.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  30. ↑ Gray, Brandon (February 13, 2011). "'Just,' 'Justin,' 'Juliet' Jumpin'". Amazon.com. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  31. ↑ "Animation". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
  32. ↑ "GNOMEO AND JULIET". Box Office Mojo. Amazon.com. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
  33. ↑ Giardina, Carolyn (February 4, 2012). "'Rango' Wins Annie Award for Best Animated Feature". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  34. ↑ Karger, Dave (December 13, 2011). "'The Artist' and 'Hugo' lead Broadcast Film Critics nominations". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  35. ↑ "Golden Globes 2012: The Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. January 15, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  36. ↑ "2011". International Press Academy. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  37. ↑ Fleming, Mike (March 8, 2012). "Rocket Pictures Plots 'Gnomeo & Juliet' Sequel, With New Tunes By Elton John". Deadline. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  38. ↑ Fleming, Mike (September 5, 2012). "John Stevenson Tapped To Direct 'Gnomeo & Juliet' Sequel 'Sherlock Gnomes'". Deadline. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  39. ↑ Robinson, Will (November 7, 2015). "Johnny Depp takes lead in Sherlock Gnomes". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  40. ↑ CS (November 10, 2015). "Paramount Animation Announces Release Dates". comingsoon.net. Retrieved November 11, 2015.

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