Spark (2016 film)

Spark (film)

Company type	Animated film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	2016
Founder	Aaron Woodley (director and writer)
Products	Animated films
Parent	RedRover, ToonBox Entertainment, Suning Universal Media

Spark—known in the United States as Spark: A Space Tail—is a 2016 animated film blending science fiction, adventure, and comedy, both written and directed by Aaron Woodley. The voice ensemble features Jessica Biel, Hilary Swank, Susan Sarandon, Patrick Stewart, and Jace Norman. Its debut occurred on April 22, 2016, at the Toronto Animation Arts Festival International, followed by a U.S. release on April 14, 2017, through Open Road Films. Distribution outside China and South Korea was handled internationally by Double Dutch International.

With a production budget estimated at $40 million, the movie was developed by RedRover, ToonBox Entertainment, and Suning Universal Media. Despite this investment, Spark earned only $1 million globally, categorizing it as a considerable commercial disappointment.

Plot

The narrative unfolds in a galaxy inhabited by anthropomorphic animals alongside extraterrestrial beings. Thirteen years prior, the malevolent primate General Zhong usurped the throne of planet Bana from his virtuous brother by exploiting a spacetime distortion known as "the slick," generated by a cosmic entity called the space kraken. This phenomenon partially devastated Bana and consumed numerous inhabitants. Among the survivors were Spark, a young monkey; Vix, a warrior fox; and Chunk, a boar who works as a mechanic.

Currently, Spark lives covertly on a scrap heap with Vix, Chunk, and Bananny, his absent-minded robotic caretaker. While Vix and Chunk lead resistance efforts against Zhong’s regime and forbid Spark from participating, Spark secretly intercepts details of an upcoming mission and undertakes it solo. This leads him to Bana’s Queen—whom Zhong has spared—who entrusts him with a device designed to locate the space kraken. Zhong aims to recapture this creature to unleash another destructive slick on a different planet. Spark successfully finds and tames the kraken but returns to discover his refuge attacked; both he and the kraken are seized by Zhong’s forces. Zhong coerces the kraken into generating another slick and casts Spark, Vix, Chunk, along with the entire scrap heap, into it.

They emerge on a desert planet accessible through this wormhole-like slick. Distrust grows as Vix and Chunk accuse Spark of causing the kraken’s capture and their separation. Spark encounters survivors from the initial slick who reside aboard the former flagship of the King. The Captain reveals that Spark is the offspring of Bana’s King and Queen, who entrusted his protection to Vix and Chunk. Although the King passed away years before, Spark gains insight from his spirit and uncovers an ancient royal weapon. Upon learning that Vix and Chunk have been detained by enormous mutated roaches, Spark allies with his father’s spirit and a roach named Floyd to defeat their captors and free his friends.

Spark unites the survivors to mount an offensive against Zhong while Chunk innovates technology capable of producing their own slick. Meanwhile, Zhong wields control over the space kraken to menace the galaxy.

Returning through their crafted slick to Bana aboard the flagship, they engage in an extended battle that culminates in Zhong’s forces being overcome. Spark rescues the Queen from Zhong’s crippled flagship and attempts to spare Zhong’s life; however, after Zhong pleads for mercy, the Queen strikes him into the slick.

The tale concludes with Spark’s comrades celebrating his ascension as Bana’s new Prince.

Voice cast

• Jace Norman portrays Spark, the 14-year-old prince and main character of the film.
• Jessica Biel lends her voice to Vix, a fox who serves as Spark's guardian.
• Hilary Swank appears as The Queen, Spark's mother.
• Susan Sarandon voices Bananny, the forgetful robotic nanny caring for Spark.
• Patrick Stewart features as the Flagship Captain.
• Rob deLeeuw provides the voice of Chunk, Spark's strong wild boar companion.
• Alan C. Peterson plays General Zhong, the villainous uncle of Spark.
• Athena Karkanis acts as Koko, Zhong’s enforcer.
• Jordan Pettle voices The King, father to Spark.
• Ivan Sherry is cast as the Announcer.
• Evan Taggart voices The Artist.
• Director Aaron Woodley also voices Floyd, a small alien and friend to Spark.

Production

In January 2015, Deadline Hollywood revealed that Jessica Biel, Hilary Swank, and Susan Sarandon had joined the project with Aaron Woodley directing. The production was managed by Red Rover, Gulfstream Pictures, and ToonBox Entertainment. The screenplay was co-written by Woodley alongside Doug Hadders and Adam Rotstein.

Music

The soundtrack was composed by Robert Duncan, with recording sessions held at Abbey Road Studios. Orchestration was overseen by Timothy Williams, while the London Voices choir contributed vocal performances.

Personnel

• Composer: Robert Duncan
• Music supervisor: Mason Cooper
• Principal orchestrator: Timothy Williams
• Choir: London Voices
• Orchestra contractor: Isobel Griffiths Ltd.

Release

The film made its debut at the Toronto Animation Arts Festival International on April 22, 2016. It saw its United States release through Open Road Films on April 14, 2017. Subsequently, on June 27, 2017, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment issued the film on video formats. The South Korean release occurred on April 12, 2018.

Critical response

By October 2022, the movie held a 13% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 23 critiques and an average rating of 3.8 out of 10. As of May 2017, its Metacritic score stood at 22 out of 100, reflecting "generally unfavorable reviews."

Box office

Spark opened across 365 theaters in North America, earning $112,352 during its initial weekend with an average of $308 per location. Its total global box office earnings reached $891,925, classifying it as a box office bomb.