Wikipedia

Monica and Friends: Bonds

Monica and Friends: Bonds[1][2] (Portuguese: Turma da Mônica: Laços) is a 2019 Brazilian family adventure film produced by Estúdios Mauricio de Sousa, directed by Daniel Rezende, with screenplay written by Thiago Dottori, and starring Giulia Benite, Kevin Vechiatto, Laura Rauseo and Gabriel Moreira.[3][4] The film was based on the eponymous graphic novel by Vitor and Lu Cafaggi and the series of homonymous comic books created by Mauricio de Sousa.[5] The movie was first released in US during the Hollywood Brazilian Film Festival, on 16 November 2019.[6]

Monica and Friends: Bonds
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDaniel Rezende
Written byThiago Dottori
Based on
Produced by
  • Daniel Rezende
  • Bianca Villar
  • Fernando Fraiha
  • Karen Castanho
  • Charles Miranda
  • Cássio Pardini
  • Cao Quintas
  • Márcio Fraccaroli
Starring
CinematographyAzul Serra
Edited by
  • Marcelo Junqueira
  • Sabrina Wilkins
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release date
  • 27 June 2019 (2019-06-27)
Running time
97 minutes
CountryBrazil
LanguagePortuguese

Plot

edit

Fluffy, the pet dog of Jimmy Five, disappeared. He develops a plan to rescue the puppy, but for that he will need the help of his faithful friends: Monica, Maggy and Smudge. Together, they will face challenges and live great adventures to take Fluffy back home.[7][8]

Cast

edit
  • Giulia Benite as Monica
  • Kevin Vechiatto as Jimmy Five
  • Laura Rauseo as Maggy
  • Gabriel Moreira as Smudge
  • Rodrigo Santoro as Nutty Ned
  • Cauã Martins as Bucky
  • Sofia Munhoz as Annie
  • Gabriel Blotto as Sunny
  • Pedro Souza as Jeremiah
  • Monica Iozzi as Mrs. Luísa
  • Luiz Pacini as Mr. Souza
  • Paulo Vilhena [pt] as Mr. Five
  • Fafá Rennó as Mrs. Five
  • Ana Carolina Godoy as Mrs. Lilith
  • Beto Schultz as Mr. Paul
  • Angélica Paula as Mrs. Lurdes
  • Adriano Paixão as Mr. Antenor
  • Adriano Bolshi [pt] as Lucc (Drifter)
  • Ítalo Viana as Tony
  • Jasmim Donega as Penha
  • Isabella Nakahara as Agnes
  • Luiza Istolé as Sofia
  • Marcello Costa as Joaquim
  • Ahmad Harhash as Jeremy
  • Isabela Santos as Gabriela
  • Matheus Mahmoud as Ernest
  • Kaleb Figueiredo as Robert
  • Maurício de Sousa as James (newspaper clerk)

Production

edit

Turma da Mônica - Laços is a graphic novel published in 2013 by Panini Comics as part of the Graphic MSP project, which brings re-reading of the characters of Monica and Friends from the viewpoint of Brazilian artists of various styles. Turma da Mônica - Laços was written and designed by the brothers Vitor and Lu Cafaggi and tells the story of friendship between the children Monica, Jimmy Five, Smudge and Maggy, who live an adventure when they go out looking for Fluffy, Jummy Five's little dog, who had run away from home. The book won the 26.º Troféu HQ Mix in the categories National Special Edition and Children's Publication. In 2015, a continuation was published called Turma da Mônica - Lições and in December of the same year in Comic Con Experience, it was announced the release of a live-action film based on Laços, released on June 27, 2019.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]

Other characters from the comics have appeared in the form of prints in magazines and paintings, including the twins Cremilda and Clotilde, Bubbly, Tom-Tom, Thunder and Horácio.[19] In the special participations it is possible to see the participation of Sidney Gusman (editor of Mauricio de Sousa Produções), Vitor and Lu Cafaggi (Laços creators) and Mauricio de Souza himself.

The recordings of the feature took place between June and July 2018, in Limeira, Paulínia and Poços de Caldas.

Casting

edit

The main cast was unveiled on September 29, 2017. Giulia Barreto, Kevin Vecchiato, Gabriel Moreira and Laura Raseo — were chosen to act respectively as Monica, Jimmy Five, Smudge and Maggy on the live-action film adaption — the children thought they were still being evaluated in one step to be officially protagonists of the production. For the final test, the production direction prepared a surprise: a visit from Mauricio de Sousa to announce that they had been chosen for the film.[20] The children's reaction was filmed and later released as a promotional video.[21]

In May 2018, Monica Iozzi joined the cast as Monica's mother Mrs. Luísa.[22] On December 7, 2018, it was announced at the Comic Con Experience convention that Rodrigo Santoro had joined the cast as the character Nutty Ned.[23]

Marketing

edit

The first trailer for Turma da Mônica: Laços was released on December 18, 2018.[24] An episode of the animated series Monica Toy, titled "Laços de Amizade" and inspired by the film, was released on YouTube on June 19, 2019.[25]

Reception

edit

The film received overwhelmingly positive reviews from Brazilian critics. Review aggregator AdoroCinema assigned a 3,9 stars from 5 from 9 reviews, with a 4,5 out of 5 from a review by the site's personnel.[26] Denis Le Senechal Klimiuc, of Cinema com Rapadura, published a positive review, saying: "Daniel Rezende, in taking responsibility for bringing to the screen characters so dear and inherent to Brazilian culture, his mission was not simply to adapt, but to truly commit himself to transforming the colorful cartoon into a reality minimally credible. The result is enchanting."[27] In a positive review for the CinePOP portal, Janda Montenegro wrote: "The careful work of the team seems to have really devoted special attention to every and any detail that could contribute to the immersion of the universe created by Maurício de Sousa in 1959. [...] It is a film for you to take your children, but also to take mom, dad, auntie and grandma, teachers and friends, after all, everyone grew up watching the adventures of this little gang, so it is good to meet old friends again".[28]

Julia Sabbaga, from Omelete, gave the film a top rating, saying: "The film has a unique rhythm that combines adaptation of comics and children's movie, without losing timing of jokes and following a structure of youth adventure. [...] Finally, Monica Gang's: Bonds marks the national cinema as an exemplary work of technique, charisma, and adaptation of one of our greatest patrimonies".[29] Pedro Antunes, from Rolling Stone Brasil magazine, wrote: "The film has a very contemplative photograph and scenes of silence in the middle of the forest, proposes a breath, at first, after a great marathon that is to mature. The film disguised as a children's film beats the crap out of anyone who finally realizes that life won't run away if you start walking".[30]

Gabrila Zocchi, from Capricho magazine, gave the film a favorable note, saying: "The plot and dialogues, of course, are directed to children, but that doesn't mean that teenagers and adults won't leave the theater touched. It is impossible to watch the film and not remember childhood, remember the moments when you yourself read Monica's and Friends and even associate the story with personal experiences, whether past or present".[31] Praising the performance of the characters, Cesar Soto, from G1, wrote: The biggest flaw in "Bonds" is the reduced participation of Smudge and Maggy. The other pair's constant disputes for leadership diminish their importance and prevent their complexities from really appearing. On the other hand, the fights also yield the best moment of the plot, in which the protagonists abandon their "quadrinesque" personalities and let emerge a real human side".[32]

Sequel

edit

On June 17, 2019, director Daniel Rezende stated that the film would have a sequel, based on the story Monica and Friends: Lessons [pt].[33][34] Soon after it was announced that the film was already in development and that the release date was October 8, 2020.[35]

References

edit
  1. ^ "Monica and Friends".
  2. ^ "Monica and Friends - Bonds" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  3. ^ Coletti, Caio (June 21, 2016). "Turma da Mônica: Laços - Filme com atores dos personagens ganha diretor". Observatório do Cinema (in Portuguese). Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  4. ^ "Conheça os atores do live-action de "Turma da Mônica"". Exame (in Portuguese). September 29, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  5. ^ Costa, Isabel (June 9, 2019). "Baseado em criação dos quadrinistas Vitor e Lu Cafaggi, filme Turma da Mônica – Laços estreia em 27 de junho". O Povo (in Portuguese). Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  6. ^ "Films". Archived from the original on November 13, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  7. ^ "'Turma da Mônica - Laços': O 1º trailer do live-action já está entre nós". HuffPost Brazil (in Portuguese). December 18, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  8. ^ Brito, Carina (June 17, 2019). ""Turma da Mônica - Laços": com nostalgia, filme conquista pela força da amizade". Galileu (in Portuguese). Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  9. ^ "Turma da Mônica: Laços - Confira a capa da nova Graphic MSP" [Turma da Mônica: Laços - Check out the cover of the new Graphic MSP]. Omelete. April 11, 2013.
  10. ^ "Turma da Mônica – Laços: Uma das melhores HQs que você vai ler neste ano" [Turma da Mônica - Laços: One of the best comics you'll read this year]. Revista O Grito. June 24, 2013.
  11. ^ "Volte a ser criança em Turma da Mônica – Laços" [Become a Child again in Turma da Mônica - Laços]. Terra Zero. June 28, 2013.
  12. ^ "Dica TdF – Turma da Mônica – Laços" [Tip TdF - Turma da Mônica - Laços]. Mundo Estranho. July 30, 2013.
  13. ^ "Turma da Mônica - Laços". Universo HQ. August 21, 2013.
  14. ^ "A lista dos vencedores do 26° Troféu HQ Mix" [The list of winners of the 26th HQ Mix Trophy]. Universo HQ. September 8, 2014.
  15. ^ "Turma da Mônica - Lições - Veja a capa da nova graphic novel dos autores de Laços" [Turma da Mônica - Lições - See the cover of the new graphic novel by the authors of Laços]. Omelete. June 19, 2015.
  16. ^ "Turma da Mônica: Laços vai virar filme!" [Turma da Mônica: Laços will become a movie!]. Judão. December 4, 2015.
  17. ^ "Mauricio de Sousa revela elenco de live-action da Turma da Mônica" [Mauricio de Sousa reveals live-action cast of Turma da Mônica]. IGN Brasil. December 5, 2016.
  18. ^ "Inscrições para viver Turma da Mônica no cinema abrem na segunda" [Registration to live Monica and Friends in the theater open on Monday]. Folha de S. Paulo. April 29, 2017.
  19. ^ 'Turma da Mônica: Laços | 10 easter eggs do filme
  20. ^ "Conheça os atores do live-action de 'Turma da Mônica'". Estadão (in Portuguese). September 29, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  21. ^ "Conheça os atores selecionados para "Turma da Mônica Laços - O Filme"!". YouTube (in Portuguese). September 29, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  22. ^ Mendes, Taiani (May 28, 2018). "Iozzi é escalada para o filme 'Turma da Mônica - Laços'". Terra (in Portuguese). Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  23. ^ "Rodrigo Santoro é anunciado como o Louco do filme 'Turma da Mônica: Laços' na CCXP 2018". G1 (in Portuguese). December 7, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  24. ^ "Filme da Turma da Mônica ganha primeiro trailer". Folha de S.Paulo (in Portuguese). December 18, 2018. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  25. ^ "Mônica Toy - Laços de Amizade (S07E16)". YouTube (in Portuguese). June 19, 2019. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  26. ^ "Turma da Mônica: Laços". AdoroCinema. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  27. ^ Denis Le Senechal Klimiuc (June 25, 2019). "Turma da Mônica: Laços -Cinema com Rapadura". Cinema com Rapadura. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  28. ^ Janda Montenegro (June 15, 2019). "Crítica - Turma da Mônica: Laços – Live-action PERFEITO para todas as gerações!" [Review - Monica's and Friends: Bonds - PERFECT Live-action for all generations!]. CinePOP. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  29. ^ "Turma da Mônica: Laços". Omelete. June 18, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  30. ^ Antunes, Pedro (June 30, 2019). "Turma da Mônica: Laços ensina a geração dos 30 anos a desacelerar o ritmo [ANÁLISE]" [Monica's and Friends: Bonds teaches the 30-year-old generation to slow down [ANALYSIS]]. Rolling Stone Brasil. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  31. ^ Zocchi, Gabriela (June 26, 2019). "Crítica: Turma da Mônica – Laços é puro quentinho no coração" [Review: Monica's and Friends - Bonds is pure warm in the heart]. Capricho. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  32. ^ Soto, Cesar (June 19, 2016). "'Turma da Mônica: Laços' mantém espírito do gibi para ser o melhor filme infantil brasileiro; G1 já viu" [Monica and Friends: Bonds keeps comic book spirit to be the best Brazilian children's film; G1 has seen]. G1. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  33. ^ "Mauricio de Sousa negocia sequência de filme da Turma da Mônica" [Mauricio de Sousa negotiates sequence of film of the Monica and Friends]. Redação. June 17, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  34. ^ "Filme da Turma da Mônica terá continuação, confirmam Mauricio de Sousa e diretor" [Movie of Monica and Friends Gang will have sequel, confirm Mauricio de Sousa and director]. Felipe Branco Cruz. June 17, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  35. ^ Gabriel Avila (June 17, 2019). "Turma da Mônica: Laços ganhará continuação" [Monica and Friends: Bonds will be continued]. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Monica_and_Friends:_Bonds&oldid=1241084569"