John Lasseter and Skydance Animation have produced their first feature-length film together. Called “Luck,” the movie carries the same type of animation style and vibe that John Lasseter brought to Pixar during his time there. Now, moviegoers are getting to see what he can do with a new company, and he continues to provide quality and experience as the head of animation at Skydance. That gives children of all ages more animated movies to enjoy.
“Luck,” tells an interesting tale
The plot of “Luck” revolves around Sam, who is a lonely orphan who has just turned 18 and aged out of the system. She never found a family of her own, and now she’s all alone. If that wasn’t enough of a struggle for her, she seems to be the most unlucky person in the world. She’s always having bad luck experiences, and things aren’t getting any better for her. She has a chance encounter with a magical cat named Bob, and that leads her on a journey to the Land of Luck.
The land is a mystical place where one side is always good luck and the other side is always bad luck. Naturally, Sam throws off the balance in the Land of Luck, as her bad luck follows her there even as she tries to blend into the good luck side of things. She’s looking for a lucky penny to replace Bob’s, which she lost. But she also wants a lucky penny for Hazel, another orphan, whom Sam sees as a little sister. She wants Hazel to have good luck instead of bad and knows that the lucky penny can help her.
John Lasseter isn’t the only big name on the project
Broadway star Eva Noblezada is the voice of Sam, and Simon Pegg provides the voice for Bob. Released on August 5, 2022, “Luck” also enjoys the voiceover talents of Jane Fonda and others who bring great characters to life. Peggy Holmes directed this film, during which she, Lasseter, and the entire team worked completely over Zoom. That created a challenging environment due to the lockdown and the inability to be in the same room while addressing ideas and sketching out concepts.
Describing emotions, ideas, and various scenes were all handled virtually, with animators sketching as they were told information. They held their sketches up to the camera for confirmation of whether they had the right idea. But in the end, John Lasseter and his team created a movie for people of all ages to enjoy.
“Luck” is an easy movie to watch
Watching “Luck” is easy through the streaming service Apple TV+. Families can see it on all types of devices, wherever it’s convenient for them to watch. That gives kids a chance to see what Sam and Bob are doing, how they’re going to solve their problems, and what will happen to little Hazel, too.
Reviews of “Luck” are overwhelmingly positive
One of the best things about this movie is that people like it, and the reviews of it have generally been very good. It’s a great way to entertain children and adults, with funny lines, interesting adventures, and strong visual effects. During the time she spends in the Land of Luck, Sam learns important lessons about how bad luck can sometimes be good after all. It’s a worthwhile tale that provides plenty of value along with entertainment.
The best-animated feature films take magical ideas and couple them with real-life problems. That’s what John Lasseter and his team have done with “Luck,” and they’ve done it well. Sam’s orphan status and difficult childhood are a way to make readers care for her and feel for the struggles she has. They cheer for her as she tries to give Hazel something more than what she experienced, and Hazel’s good luck may just mean that she gets to be part of a family. It’s all Sam can hope for.
Overall, the Land of Luck also benefits from its experience with Sam. Learning how to handle bad luck is important, and if there’s only good luck it’s harder to appreciate it for what it is. Bob, Sam, and Hazel are all valuable, and the movie is a great reminder about the value of caring for others and helping people feel cared for and loved.