It’s time to get algebraic! …or… something! That is, Cartoon Network is about to debut another original animated series called Adventure Time with Finn & Jake. Having just launched Hero: 108, then to have Generator Rex and Sym-Bionic Titan close behind, the CN is really giving us toon fans a glorious treat! The series kicks off on Monday, April 5th, at 8pm, courtesy of Pendleton Ward and Frederator Studios. Be on the lookout for an ecclectic collection of special guest voices all season long, including Henry Rollins, Erik Estrada, George Takei (of Heroes fame), Lou Ferrigno (of Hulk fame), and Mark Hamill (of Star Wars and Batman: The Animated Series fame). You can check out a few clips on itsadventuretime.com, or spot a few right here (more… )

The fourth, and (possibly) final Shrek cinematic adventure, Shrek Forever After, is officially dated for May 21st, though the Tribeca Film Festival in NYC will be debuting the jolly green giant’s film a month earlier, on April 21st. The CG movie, which DreamWorks Animation boasts will be available in vivid 3D, is touted as the final chapter in the Shrek storyline, though no one is sure whether or not to believe that; especially with the guarantee of a Puss in Boots spin-off movie hitting theaters movie next year. Either way, the film will be directed by Mike Mitchell and again stars the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and Antonio Banderas. Check out the latest trailer (more… )

We’ve seen them invade the Clone Wars universe, R2-D2, the world of Bionicle, even Ben: 10! Now, as of last Tuesday, February 23rd, the world of LEGO has spawned an all-new adventure with LEGO: The Adventures of Clutch Powers. This feature length animated tale is now available on both DVD and Digital Download. Clutch Powers, the best builder and explorer in the LEGO universe, heads off on his most dangerous mission yet. Viewers can join Clutch and his team of LEGO experts as their adventure leads them from LEGO City to the Space Police prison planet to the medieval world of Ashlar where they must help the rightful heir to the King’s throne find the courage to regain the kingdom from the evil wizard Mallock the Malign. Their brick-building skills will be put to the ultimate test as they face off against Mallock’s skeleton army. Check out the trailer here (more… )

Here’s some good news; Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey is on its way to DVD March 2nd. You can follow George and the Man with the Yellow Hat as they set out on a madcap cross-country adventure to reunite Kayla, a homesick elephant, with her family. Here’s some better news; you can get a copy of the animated film on DVD for FREE, along with the CD soundtrack and book, just by being a ToonBarn fan! How? Read on! (more… )

The history of beautiful animated films is no perfect fairytale. Sure, now we have Finding Nemo, Coraline, Kung Fu Panda, and The Princess and the Frog. And yeah, it all stems from the rich heritage of golden age classics, like early Mickey Mouse reels, Snow White, Looney Tunes, and Sleeping Beauty. But the late 1970s brought a “dark age,” when animation studios were shut down, artists fired, projects canceled, and the medium itself was thought to be dead. That’s where the documentary Waking Sleeping Beauty steps in, telling the true story of how animation, and the love for the art, was brought back to life by a group including Roy Disney (of Disney family fame), John Lasseter (Pixar, Toy Story, The Incredibles, Up, Wall-E, etc.) Tim Burton (Nightmare Before Christmas, Batman, Alice in Wonderland, etc.), and Don Bluth (An American Tail, The Land Before Time, The Secret of NIMH, etc.) and dozens of others. Together, they brought us the Disney Renaissance, revived the entire industry with new classics like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King. On March 26th, in select theaters, you’ll get to see the story for yourself. But for now, check out the trailer! (more… )

Last week, theaters welcomed Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief to the box office; and warmly, we might add. More importantly to us, however, was that the film included the newtrailer to M. Night Shyamalan’s upcoming film The Last Airbender – longer than the trailer shown during the Super Bowl. The story, based on Nickelodeon’s Avatar The Last Airbender, tells the tale of Aang, a 12-year-old boy (played by Noah Ringer) who provides the last hope for restoring harmony to a land consumed by chaos. Take a look at the trailer right here and see for yourself! (more… )

We’ve been on the ride that started at Shrek, headed towards Kung Fu Panda, around to Madagascar, and through Monsters and Aliens, but now the DreamWorks train is making its way to dragons! How To Train Your Dragon, which will run in full 3D, is the latest in a long line of CG animated films, set to hit theaters March 26th. Like Shrek, the film is also getting the live show treatment, but the concentration now is on the theatrical release in just a few weeks. We’ve been waiting a long time for this one, so we can’t wait. Check out a trailer to see the flick in action (more… )

With Toy Story 3’s fast approaching release date, set to hit theaters June 18th, we’re getting set to ride on the hype train! It’s been about four months since the release of the original trailer for Toy Story 3, and while that was awesome, we’re ecstatic to see a new one! The latest adventure from Disney and Pixar starts with Andy, now all grown up, moving off to college. His old toys have been sent off to a day care center, mingling with newer toys and crazy kids. But, there’s just such a strong bond between the boy and his toys, and vice versa, that they’ll do anything to reunite. Check out the second trailer right here, and let us know what you think. (more… )