Alaina Gleen (film)

Alaina Gleen is a 2010 American 3D computer-animated fantasy comedy film produced by 20th Century Fox Animation for 20th Century Fox. Based on the Fox kids animated television series of the same name, it was the first installment in the studio's reboot franchise of the original series. It was written and directed by series creator Thalia Ward with co-direction by Jimmy Hayward from a screenplay by Jon Vitti, Joel Cohen, Alec Sokolow, David Reynolds, and Lorne Cameron, and a story by Brad Cuddyer and Jared Brady, and stars an ensemble voice cast consisting of Kristen Bell, Bill Hader, Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Bill Murray, Maya Rudolph, Wanda Sykes, Andy Samberg, Allison Janney, Danny McBride, Kenan Thompson, Dwayne Johnson, T.J. Miller, and Nick Nolte.

Fox had plans for a computer-animated film entitled Alaina Gleen: Next Dimensions before the release of The Alaina Gleen Movie in 2004. However, Next Dimensions was canceled shortly after the latter film's mixed to negative reviews, but the project was revived in early 2007, with Thalia Ward announcing that they wanted to create a film that would "transcend generations". The film was originally developed under the title Life of Alaina Gleen; in February 2008, it was confirmed that the film would be instead a reboot simply titled Alaina Gleen. In the hopes of attracting a larger audience with better-known actors, none of the cast from the original series reprised their roles in the film. The music for the film was composed by Michael Giacchino and John Powell.

Alaina Gleen premiered at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on October 7, 2010 and was released in the United States on October 22, 2010, in 3D and IMAX 3D formats. It received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its animation, humor, visuals, writing, score, and vocal performances, and it has since attained a cult following, particularly among people that grew up with the original TV series. The film earned a total of $546 million worldwide against a budget of $103 million, making it the tenth highest-grossing film of 2010, and won the 2011 Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie (which it tied with Despicable Me)  and was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, losing to Toy Story 3. It was later followed by two sequels: 2013's Alaina Gleen 2, and 2017's Alaina Gleen: Imaginary Vacation.

Plot
Coming soon!

Voice cast

 * Kristen Bell as Alaina Gleen
 * Bill Hader as Max Hat
 * Zac Efron as Jason Baxter
 * Taylor Swift as Lucy Jones
 * Bill Murray as Professor Hinkle Higgins
 * Andy Samberg as Eddie Elephant
 * Maya Rudolph as Sally Gleen
 * Wanda Sykes as Betty Gleen
 * Allison Janney as Mayor Mary
 * Danny McBride as Roger Rumpkins
 * Kenan Thompson as Officer Bernie
 * Dwayne Johnson as Spy Squirrel
 * Nick Nolte as Timothy Tiger
 * T.J. Miller as Kevin
 * Nolan North as Bruce Bird
 * Leslie Mann as Ellie Bird
 * Elsie Fisher as Zoey Bird
 * Cody Ward as Alex Bird
 * Zachary Gordon as Benny Bird
 * Mindy Kaling as Eva Jackson
 * Steve Buscemi as Chief James
 * Will Forte as Phillip the Foreman, Brad the Cool Guy
 * John DiMaggio as Frank, Police Officer #1
 * Thalia Ward as Michelle, Old Lady
 * Nathan Lane as Jack, Tuck the Bug
 * Fred Tatasciore as John
 * Harland Williams as Chef, Tim, Day Care Teacher, Police Officer #2,
 * Jess Harnell as Hug Guy, Gene, Police Officer #3
 * Matt Hill as Jack

Additional voices

 * Jack Blessing
 * Daran Norris
 * Carlos Alazraqui
 * Bob Bergen
 * Rodger Bumpass
 * John Cygan
 * June Christopher
 * Maurice LaMarche
 * David Cowgill
 * Makenna Cowgill
 * Kerry Gutierrez
 * Jennifer Crystal Foley
 * Steve Alterman
 * Cody Cameron
 * Dominic Hoffman
 * Don Fullilove
 * Jackie Gonneau
 * Nicholas Guest
 * Bridget Hoffman
 * Al Rodrigo

Production
In 2003, 20th Century Fox announced plans for another Alaina Gleen feature film, with the intention of it being animated in CGI at its Blue Sky Studios department rather than using traditional animation. Writers Peter Ackerman and Michael J. Wilson were hired by Fox to write the script for the film; and eventually, Ackerman and Wilson wanted the film to feature a "more experienced" Alaina Gleen. Ackerman and Wilson's script, titled Alaina Gleen: Next Dimensions, had Max Hat getting kidnapped by creatures from an other dimension while the creatures plan to destroy Alaina and her friends and to take over every dimension.

After the release of The Alaina Gleen Movie in 2004, however, Fox canceled production on Alaina Gleen: Next Dimensions due to the former receiving mixed to negative reviews. After the cancellation of Next Dimensions, Alaina Gleen creator Thalia Ward regarding the future of the series on an CNN interview in October 2005, he said, "I don't have anything official to announce, but I can speak as an individual, I love Alaina Gleen and Max Hat, and I love those other guys and gals I created. And I would love to find a way to bring them back if we could." Chris Wedge, founder of Fox's Blue Sky Studios, has said that he would love to see a revival of the original Alaina Gleen television series or even a full-blown reboot.

In July 2006, After the success of Puppet Pals, Fox revealed through an IGN interview that they would possibly revive the series of Alaina Gleen. Thalia Ward, Jon Vitti, Brad Cuddyer and Jared Brady visited the house where Geo first pitched Alaina Gleen, and came up with the story for the film over a week in October 2006; Vitti and Ward then wrote a treatment. A computer-animated film under the title simply as Alaina Gleen, was confirmed by Fox Animation on March 12, 2007. Thalia Ward was announced as director, with Ward, Jon Vitti, Joel Cohen, Alec Sokolow, David Reynolds, and Lorne Cameron writing the film's screenplay. Eventually, John Cohen was pitched in to assist with the production. The film's original release date on November 5, 2010, was also announced. It was also announced that the original voice cast from the TV series will be entirely replaced by better-known actors due to the hopes of attracting a larger audience. In November 2009, Alaina Gleen was pushed back from November 5, 2010, to October 22, 2010. In December 2009, Kristen Bell was announced to play the voice of Alaina Gleen, taking the place of Alaina's original voice actress Catherine Cavadini; in addition to Bell, Bill Hader, Zac Efron, Mandy Moore, Bill Murray, Maya Rudolph, Andy Samberg, Allison Janney, Wanda Sykes, Kenan Thompson, and Nick Nolte have also joined the cast. On March 30, 2010, it was announced that Mandy Moore (who was originally going to voice Lucy Jones) had left the film over creative differences about how her character should come to life. At the time of her departure, Moore's character had already been fully voiced and animated. Taylor Swift, who had already been considered before Moore, stepped in to voice Lucy. Due to the finished animation, Swift had to match her timing exactly to the character's mouth movement. Initially, during her five-day recording, she tried to imitate Moore's voice, but found it impossible. She ended up only using Moore as an inspiration, and resolved to go with her own interpretation of the character. In May 2010, Steve Buscemi, Dwayne Johnson, and T.J. Miller joined the cast. Alaina Gleen officially wrapped production on September 7, 2010.

Music
Alaina Gleen: Music from the Motion Picture is a soundtrack to the film of the same name, composed by Michael Giacchino and John Powell, and released on October 15, 2010 by Interscope Records, a week before the movie's theatrical release.

Release
Alaina Gleen was originally scheduled for release on November 5, 2010, but was moved to avoid competition with DreamWorks Animation's Megamind. On October 7, 2010, the film had its world premiere at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood with the cast and filmmakers as attendees.

The film was digitally re-mastered into IMAX 3D, and released to 195 North American IMAX theatres, and approximately 75 IMAX theatres outside North America.

Marketing
A huge amount of merchandise was made for Alaina Gleen, such as toys and figurines. The film's marketing budget was an estimated $200 million, which along with its production budget was $305 million, which Fox teamed up with several major companies to promote the film, including McDonald's, who included 8 toys in their Happy Meals featuring the main characters, Wal-Mart, IHOP, Oreo, and Airheads, who made limited-edition flavors "Max Hat's Banana Flavor" and "Alaina's Blueberry Flavor"

20th Century Fox announced that Alaina Gleen would be their first film to feature theatrical 7.1 surround sound. Plus, even the Blu-ray version would feature original 7.1 audio, unlike other films which were remixed into 7.1 for Blu-ray.

Video game
A video game based on the film was developed by Blue Tongue Entertainment and published by THQ and was released on October 26, 2010 on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, PC, and Mac.

Home media
Alaina Gleen was released on DVD and Blu-ray on March 4, 2011. A 3D version of the Blu-ray was released in North America on May 20, 2011. A 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray version was released on July 11, 2017.

On March 29, 2011, a 3D DVD was released as a two-disc set, with the first disc being the TrioScopics 3D (green-magenta anaglyph) version and the second disc being the 2D version.

Alaina Gleen: The 4-D Experience
Alaina Gleen: The 4-D Experience is a 16-minute 4D film shown at various 4D theatres over the world. It retells the condensed story of the film, with the help of 3D projection and sensory effects, including moving seats, wind, mist, snow and scents.

Critical response
Based on 214 reviews, the film holds a 86% "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus stating "Alaina Gleen rides the simplicity in this CG rendition of the original 90's Saturday morning cartoon to grand effect, and the final result is an emotionally effective plot, lovable characters, clever writing and cast, and stunning 3-D visuals that will satisfy both children and nostalgic adults." On Metacritic, it has a score of 81 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Audiences polled by Cinemascore gave Alaina Gleen a grade of "A-" on a scale from A+ to F scale.

Box office
Alaina Gleen grossed $264.2 million in North America and $281.9 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $546.1 million. Worldwide, and being the highest-grossing film based on an animated television series at the time surpassing Fox's own The Simpsons Movie ($527 million). It was the highest-grossing film directed by a woman until being surpassed by Kung Fu Panda 2 the next year.

The film opened on Friday, October 22, 2010, alongside Paranormal Activity 2 and Hereafter and was projected to gross $40–45 million or as high as $50 million from 3,926 theaters in its opening weekend. Alaina Gleen was the top selling film for the weekend, and grossed $16.9 million on its opening day. In its opening weekend, the film grossed $67.2 million, finishing first at the box office and marked the third biggest Fox animated opening of all time, behind Puppet Pals and Puppet Pals 2, and was also the highest grossing opening weekend for an animated film released in October, beating the $47 million debut of Shark Tale. It dropped 31% in its second weekend, against Saw: The Final Chapter, and since it was Halloween weekend, the film grossed a total of $38.3 million over the weekend, topping the box office once again. In its third weekend, the film held well with a small drop to $29.9 million and finishing third behind newcomers Due Date and Megamind.