Between dazzling art direction, a particularly inspired score and irresistible supporting characters, the first images are a real feast for the eyes as well as the ears. The whole thing benefits from a sumptuous painterly aesthetic, where every shot seems to come to life under the brushstrokes of a painter. Judging by this trailer, we may already have a future studio classic on our hands. Nothing less.
The cat’s share
The film is directed by Enrico Casarosa, who previously brought us Luca. For this new production, Pixar ventures into particularly bold artistic territory, blending digital animation, hand-painted textures and graphic effects inspired by traditional painting. An approach that favors the expressiveness of colors, shadows and light over the studio’s usual photorealism. The result, both handcrafted in appearance and technically sophisticated, promises a singular visual experience.
The story follows Nero (voiced in the original version by Mark Ruffalo), a black cat who, after spending years fending for himself in the alleyways and canals of a superstition-ridden Venice, begins to wonder whether he really made the right choices over the course of his various lives.
Indebted to Rocco (Laurence Fishburne), the godfather of the local feline underworld, Nero finds himself in a particularly delicate situation. Forced to form an unlikely and unexpected friendship with Maja, a young street musician, he may finally discover his true purpose. Unless Venice still has a few nasty surprises in store for him.
Dory For
Alongside Mark Ruffalo and Laurence Fishburne, the original voice cast notably includes John Turturro, Isabella Rossellini, Jason Schwartzman, Tracey Ullman, Rhys Darby, Sherry Cola and Jason Mantzoukas. The original score is composed by Dario Marianelli, Oscar-winning for Atonement, with the participation of Slovak violinist Barbora Botošová.
The film is produced by Andrea Warren, while Pete Docter serves as executive producer. Finally, Loving Dory, a new Pixar animated short set in the world of Finding Nemo, will be shown before the film.
