Trailer Roundup: 'Rio,' 'The Beaver' and 'Arthur Christmas'

Posted Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at 4:24 PM Central

by John Couture

As we await for next week's expected trailer bonanza, this week's offering turned out to be less of a Grinch than we thought it might be. We get another look at a spring animated movie, a first look at a Hollywood hot potato and a really, really early look at one of next year's animated holiday hits.

But why should I slow you down? Let's get right into it, shall we?

Leading off today is the second trailer for Rio which is really the first extended, non-teaser look at the movie. Again, when I saw the teaser trailer, I was nonplussed. But, seeing more details about the plot and star-studded cast, I'm more obliged to give this one a shot.

In particular, it's sort of interesting to hear Jesse Eisenberg's voice emanating from anything animated. His level of neuroses (which I think rivals a young Woody Allen) seems to lend itself well to Blue, one of two last remaining Blue Macaus.

April is sure to be busy for animated tentpoles as Rio from the house that Chris Meledandri built does battle with last week's trailer offering Hop, which happens to be the new movie from Chris' new gig over at Universal Studios.

Can you say grudge match?

It's too soon to say who will win, but it'll make for an interesting storyline in the next few months. For now, check out the new Rio trailer and tell us which one you're more looking forward to see.

So, follow me here. This next movie features Mel Gibson as an alcoholic who has family issues and resorts to talking through a puppet. What? It's not his life story?

While the events from The Beaver seemingly mirror Mel's personal struggles, it's completely a work of fiction. Although, that's not to say that those personal issues haven't affected this movie.

Once deemed the best unproduced screenplay in Hollywood as per 2008's Blacklist, The Beaver was originally slated to get a release late this year to help position Gibson for strong awards consideration. After the bombshell year tat Mel has had, many felt the movie was unreleasable.

It's now rumored that Summit will release The Beaver in the Spring of 2011 in what is generally considered a veritable wasteland of award season contenders. But, you never know. Hollywood is chock full of comeback stories.

While we await official word on a release date, enjoy the trailer, which yes, is as weird as the concept suggests it might be.

Finally today, we have our first look at the 2011 animated holiday movie Arthur Christmas. While this is simply a tease to prime this year's holiday movie goers for next year's bountiful offerings, there is plenty here to gnaw on.

It seems that the original story will focus on Arthur, Santa's son and might finally answer the question on how Santa is able to deliver all those presents in one single night. Either that or aliens are invading the North Pole. Either way, we're in.

What might be the best part of the teaser though is the March of the Penguins tease using Morgan Freeman's voice. Call it an homage if you will, but it certainly made us laugh. We'll see how things shape up in the next year or so.