Plenty of billboards and bus stops, advertising DreamWorks Animation latest adventure Turbo decorate my San Fernando Valley neighborhood. Needless to say, I was truly excited when I received my invite for a special advance screening. The day I took my daughter, to see the movie, My104.3FM also participated in fun giveaways for Turbo listeners. Directed and written by David Soren along with fellow writers, Robert Siegel (The Wrestler), and Darren Lemke (Jack the Giant Slayer), Turbo is a genius animated 3D, digital masterpiece, comparing and contrasting NASCAR from two very different perspectives. Interestingly, Soren came up with the idea after observing his own 6-year-old son obsess over racing cars and his own home’s snail infestation. He compared the two’s greatest differences of speed verses sluggishness.
Running with that concept, Soren looked at other stories of unlikely heroes such as The Karate Kid and Rocky, while also taking note of today’s fascination with NASCAR, as well as The Fast and the Furious franchise. Thus, Soren created a film around a slow-poke, mollusk that’s faster than an Indy 500 race Theo, a.k.a., Turbo (voiced by Ryan Reynolds of Green Lantern), is a garden snail who’s ready to quit the slow-paced, tomato patch in order to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming the greatest Indy 500 racer.
Of course, his idea is insane! But, Turbo believes in dreaming big thanks to his idol, five-time Indy 500 car racer, Guy Gagne (voiced by Bill Hader of Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs). This racing champ is a smooth talker who encourages “big dreamers,” and advertises racing products, but doesn’t always play by the rules. However, Turbo’s overly cautious big brother, Chet (voiced by Paul Giamatti of Sideways), thinks this Indy 500 mania is a major embarrassment that’s made Turbo an outcast. Chet wants nothing to do with Theo-not-yet Turbo’s racing ideas.
Despite the naysayers, Turbo keeps studying tapes of Gagne, meditating on every word the champion says, and training for his chance to race. Then, in a freak accident, Theo falls, onto a freeway, getting sucked into the supercharger pipes of a drag racer, combining his DNA with nitrous oxide during a Street Race. The real transformation takes place and Turbo is BORN!! The super snail discovers he has drag racing powers such as the speed of more than 200mph, glow-in-the-dark eyeballs, and a shell that blinks
red tail lights, honks, and has a “booming” radio music system.
While Turbo explains his new predicament to Chet, the two are kidnapped by Tito (voiced by Michael Peña of Crash), a “Dos Bros” taco truck driver, looking to make fast money by racing snails. At his new home, Turbo, meets a “crew” of tricked-out, snail racers led by Whiplash (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson); Smoove Move (voiced by Snoop Dogg); Burn (voiced Maya Rudolph of Bridesemaids), a racing snail, who’s also interested in making Chet her man; Skidmark (voiced by Ben Schwartz of “Arrested Development”); and White Shadow (voiced by Mike Bell of Kung Fu Panda 2), the largest racer snail of the crew, who compensates for his large frame with his witty humor. While this crew may not have Turbo’s speed, these snails possess a cache of “X©-games” style street skills, such as jumping, sliding, drifting and flipping, to keep your eyes glued to the screen.
Thanks to hobbyist Bobby (voiced by Richard Jenkins of Jack Reacher), the shopkeeper, who suits Turbo with a flashy shell for the race. Bobby’s the neighborhood caretaker who handles snail racing events for the crew. After watching Turbo, smear the competition, and listening to his own sharp-as-nails car mechanic, Paz (voiced by Michelle Rodriguez of Fast and Furious franchise), Tito takes the family money and invests it by getting Turbo into the Indy 500. However, Tito’s brother, Angelo (voiced by Luis Guzmán of Out of Sight), doesn’t believe in Tito’s dreams of bringing more business to the taco stand through snail racing. Tito and Turbo set out to accomplish the impossible. And, with a little faith, elbow grease, and a slippery, half-inch pit crew, magic happens!
My daughter, Ananda, loved this film from start to finish! This is an excellent film about friendship, trust, teamwork, and the power to believe in one’s self. Turbo is an exciting movie about believing in the impossible dream. For Turbo and Tito, their combined dreams became a life-changing event for an entire community! Turbo’s quest to enter the Indy 500 as a snail in a humans-only race is important because it teaches children to not be afraid of dreaming big. I highly recommend this film to everyone,
Turbo = 96 minutes (not too long!)
Rated = PG (Some Mild Action and Thematic Elements)
Follow Turbo on Facebook at www.facebook.com/turbomovie.com
We’re celebrating the release of Turbo with this awesome giveaway! Open to US Mailing Addresses and Canadian Residents!
Two (2) winners will receive:
- Turbo Stunt Set Assortment
- Turbo SHELL RACERS™ Vehicles Basic 2 Pack Assortment
Each prize pack valued at $21.98. Prizing courtesy of 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks Animation
Based on the new DreamWorks Animation movie, Mattel has some exciting new toys available for fans to enjoy! Available in stores and online – visit the Mattel Shop for more details!
The action-packed Turbo Stunt Set assortment is the perfect place to park, race and play with Turbo Shell Racers vehicles. The assortment includes two thrillingly challenging sets that bring big movie moments to life in the playroom. The “Ring of Fire” set has a harrowing vertical loop that must be braved in order to launch through a ring of fire while the “Zip Line Stunt Race” set recreates a key competition scene in the film. To get started with the “Ring of Fire” set simply load up Shell Racers into the launch tube, pull the trigger and the snails are blasted through the vertical loop toward a speedy exit with a jump through a fire ring obstacle. The “Zip Line Stunt Race” takes kids on a zip line racing adventure. To begin the free-falling fun, load two Turbo Shell Racers on the vertical lift, crank them to the top of the telephone pole and pull the release lever. Watch as the snails make a fast paced descent down the line! Each set sold separately and includes one Turbo Shell Racer.
* We did not receive monetary compensation or product for this review. We attended a screening free of charge to facilitate this review. Giveaway item will be provided by sponsor. Sponsor has the right to refuse filling prize for duplicate winners from other blogs. This will in no way sway our opinion of the product or service. Each prize pack valued at $21.98. Prizing courtesy of 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks Animation. The review is in our own words and is our opinion. Your results and opinions may differ.
40 comments
I learned that the movie is 96 minutes.
I lose intrest in movies if they are longer then an hour 30.
I learned that they race snails for fun
I like that it’s only 96 minutes, kids can’t sit for longer movies.
I learned that Tito invests the family money by getting Turbo into the Indy 500. –
I learned that Michelle Rodriguez voices one of the characters.
Ryan Reynolds does the voice of Turbo in this movie!
I learned Turbo believes in dreaming big thanks to his idol, five-time Indy 500 car racer, Guy Gagne and is animated 3D
I learned that this movie is action-packed with lots of racing snails!
I learner that Siren came up with the idea after watching his son obsessed over race cars and his own home’s snail infestation.
Soren not siren!
I like the movie is 96 minutes
I learned that Turbo believes in dreaming, (I’ve not seen this movie) I’m sure it is great.
I learned that Turbo’s quest is to enter the Indy 500, a human only race.
I learned how the concept was created. From a young boy and snails.
I learned that the movie has a great positive message, and is the kind of movie I would love for my kids to see.
Turbo acquires drag racing powers by being sucked into the tail pipe of a drag racer.
I learned that snoop dogg is a voice in the movie, fun!
Loved the message of the movie
I learned that Michelle Rodriguez is a voice in it, I like her.
I like that it teaches trust and friendship.
I learned that Snopp dogg is one of the voices.
I learned that its 96 minutes long.
It teaches children to dream big!
I learned that … “the character Paz is voiced by Michelle Rodriguez.”
From both the movie and the review I learned teamwork and brotherly love prevail!
I learned the voice of Turbo is Ryan Reynolds of the Green Lantern. Turbo’s dream is to become the greatest Indy 500 racer.
This is the first I’ve heard of this movie. It looks really good. I learned that Turbo got his powers when he fell into a street race and met with some NOS.
This looks like a really fun movie that kids of all ages would love…The super snail…#5… discovers his drag racing powers of speed of more than 200mph, glow-in-the-dark eyeballs, and a shell that blinks…It made me laugh on the clip!
Ryan Reynolds is the voice of turbo
I learned that Snopp dogg is one of the voices.
I learned that it’s a great, family-friendly movie
I learned that Snoop Dog voices a character
I learned that Ryan Reynolds does the voice of Turbo.
I learned that Tito invests the family money by getting Turbo into the Indy 500.
Turbo wants to enter the Indy 500
I didn’t realize that Ryan Reynolds was the voice of Turbo.
I learned that Turbo was born in a freak accident when he fell onto a freeway and got sucked into the supercharger pipes of a drag racer, combining his DNA with nitrous oxide during a street race.
I learned that it is 96 minutes which I think is the perfect time limit for a kids movie. I also learned that the movie has a message for kids and that is to dream big and you can do anything.
I learned Turbo is a 3D movie.
I learned that White Shadow (voiced by Mike Bell of Kung Fu Panda 2) is the largest racer snail of the crew. Thanks.
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