Animation
‘Gracie and Pedro: Mission Impossible’ Review | Purr-fect Pals, But Familiar Tail-wagging Trails
This review was made possible by an advanced screener, Set to release in UK cinemas on August 9th
Kaleidoscope Entertainment’s latest animated offering, “Gracie and Pedro: Mission Impossible,” invites families on a spirited escapade that, while not groundbreaking, manages to deliver some charming moments. Set to release in UK cinemas on August 9th, the film features an eclectic cast of voice actors, including Bill Nighy, Susan Sarandon, Alicia Silverstone, Danny Trejo, and Brooke Shields—all of whom lend a vibrant energy to this audacious tale of mismatched pets trying to find their way home.
Our protagonists—Gracie, a pampered purebred dog, and Pedro, an audacious rescue cat—are as different as they come. Gracie thrives on her cushy lifestyle, while Pedro’s adventurous spirit leads him into numerous hair-raising situations. When fate strands them in an unfamiliar environment after losing their family at the airport, they must set aside their innate differences and work together, truly highlighting the film’s core message about loyalty and the importance of family bonds.
Kaleidoscope Entertainment
Directed by Kevin Donovan and Gottfried Roodt, “Gracie and Pedro” infuses dynamic energy through the 87-minute runtime, presenting a whirlwind of action that some viewers will find delightful. However, the overall animation quality leaves much to be desired; at times it resembled a low-budget television episode rather than a feature film. While the stylistic photorealism of the animal characters truly captures some charm and cuteness, especially Sarandon’s character Shades, a suave magician’s bunny complete with a carrot martini stood out; however, the design of the human figures often felt disjointed and lacked realism, hindering the film’s overall aesthetic appeal.
The story’s premise—lost pets on a quest to reunite with their owners—has been explored numerous times in cinema, often far more effectively executing the journey of lost animals. The film struggles to innovate and often falls into familiar and predictable narratives, with only the occasional clever twist saving it.
Despite its shortcomings, there are moments of genuine humour and warmth that resonate, particularly in the developing camaraderie between Gracie and Pedro which also mirrors their young human owner’s relationship with a great musical number that helps the narrative. Their characterisations, albeit cliched, provide a foundation for viewers to connect with them. Notably, the quirky goldfish narrator offered both levity and charm, although the potential for a deeper exploration of this character and its relationships within the story remains largely untapped.
Kaleidoscope Entertainment
Moreover, scenes packed with action do ascend to heights of excitement, as our heroes tackle daunting challenges—from navigating treacherous cliffs and landscapes to evading whimsical, yet dangerous adversaries. Still, the film’s tonal discrepancies can create an uneven viewing experience. The wit present in the dialogue sometimes shines through, bringing levity amidst the film’s more serious undertones.
At its heart, “Gracie and Pedro: Mission Impossible” delivers such poignant messages about perseverance and the true wealth that lies in friendship. However, it often finds itself mired in routine storytelling and uninspired visual execution, which may leave audiences yearning for the more effervescent brilliance of comparable family features.
FINAL THOUGHTS
“Gracie and Pedro” will for sure enchant its youngest viewers and provide an entertaining first-time cinematic experience, but it ultimately lacked the artistic distinction needed to elevate it within the ever-growing tapestry of animated family films. With room for improvement, this endeavour successfully captures a sense of adventure yet misses the mark in realising its full potential.
Ted and John Bennett are getting back together, this time in animated form.
Peacock has released the first look at Ted: The Animated Series, a new adult animated comedy that will reunite Seth MacFarlane and Mark Wahlberg more than a decade after Ted 2.
Unlike Peacock’s live-action Ted series, which serves as a prequel to the movies, the animated series will continue the story of the original film franchise. The show takes place 12 years after the events of Ted 2, with John and Ted now living next door to each other and raising families of their own.
Wahlberg will return as John Bennett, while MacFarlane once again voices Ted. Amanda Seyfried is also returning as John’s wife, Sam, alongside Jessica Barth as Tami-Lynn.
Ted: The Animated Series [peacock]
MacFarlane created the series alongside Paul Corrigan and Brad Walsh, with Corrigan and Walsh serving as co-showrunners. Rough Draft Studios is handling the animation.
Peacock has ordered eight episodes for the initial run, with additional episodes expected to arrive in 2027.
The new series gives the Ted franchise an opportunity to move beyond the timeline of the movies while bringing back the characters and actors audiences already know. It also allows Peacock to continue its live-action prequel separately, giving the franchise stories set during two very different periods of John and Ted’s lives.
Ted: The Animated Series will premiere December 17 on Peacock.
Veteran voice actor, director and producer Mike McFarland, whose work included some of the biggest anime franchises of the past three decades, has died. He was 56.
McFarland died Wednesday, September 9, at a care facility in Dallas following a battle with brain cancer. He was surrounded by friends and family at the time of his death.
For generations of anime fans, McFarland was perhaps best known as the English voice of Master Roshi and Yajirobe in the Dragon Ball franchise. He also voiced Buggy the Clown in One Piece, Jean Kirstein in Attack on Titan, Jean Havocin Fullmetal Alchemist, Mashirao Ojiro in My Hero Academia and Koutarou Amon in Tokyo Ghoul.
His impact on anime extended well beyond his performances. McFarland worked extensively as an ADR director, scriptwriter and producer, helping bring numerous Japanese productions to English-speaking audiences throughout his career.
Master Roshi
McFarland’s health struggles became public in January 2025 after he underwent emergency surgery to remove a brain tumor. The tumor was later identified as glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Friends and fans rallied around McFarland during his treatment, with a GoFundMe campaign raising more than $300,000 to help with his care.
Following news of his death, Crunchyroll paid tribute to McFarland and his impact on the anime community.
“Mike brought so much to all of us who knew him, and to all of the anime fans that knew his work. He was an incredible talent, a good friend to so many of us, and will be sorely, sorely missed.”
McFarland leaves behind an enormous body of work spanning television, movies and video games, with his performances becoming an enduring part of some of anime’s most recognizable franchises.
Animation
The Cat in the Hat | Main Trailer
The Cat takes on one of his toughest assignments yet when he’s tasked with cheering up siblings Gabby and Sebastian as they struggle to adjust to life in a new town. The assignment could also be the Cat’s last chance to prove himself before losing his magical hat.
The new trailer puts Hader’s take on the Cat front and center, showcasing the colorful animated world and the mischief, magic and chaos audiences have come to expect from the character.
The film marks the animated theatrical feature debut of the Cat in the Hat and is the first full-length feature from Warner Bros. Pictures Animation. Erica Rivinoja and Alessandro Carloni directed the film, with Daniela Mazzucato and Jared Stern producing.
The Cat in the Hat arrives in theaters and IMAX on November 6.
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Adventure, Family
Release Date
November 6, 2026
Directors
Alessandro Carloni and Erica Rivinoja
Cast
Bill Hader, Xochitl Gomez, Matt Berry, Quinta Brunson, Paula Pell, Tiago Martinez, Giancarlo Esposito, America Ferrera, Bowen Yang and Tituss Burgess
Plot Summary
The Cat takes on one of his toughest assignments yet when he’s tasked with cheering up siblings Gabby and Sebastian as they struggle to adjust to life in a new town. The assignment could also be the Cat’s last chance to prove himself before losing his magical hat.
The new trailer puts Hader’s take on the Cat front and center, showcasing the colorful animated world and the mischief, magic and chaos audiences have come to expect from the character.
The film marks the animated theatrical feature debut of the Cat in the Hat and is the first full-length feature from Warner Bros. Pictures Animation. Erica Rivinoja and Alessandro Carloni directed the film, with Daniela Mazzucato and Jared Stern producing.
The Cat in the Hat arrives in theaters and IMAX on November 6.
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