Feature: Vocal performances in animated film that you may not have known about

Here at The Hollywood News we love a good animated feature. We’ve already been treated to some cool little movies this year, from the likes of TANGLED to the Elton John musically led GNOMEO AND JULIET. This weekend saw the release of the first of two Dreamworks Animation movies to hit in 2011, the fantastic KUNG FU PANDA 2 (the second being SHREK spin-off PUSS IN BOOTS), released later this year. KUNG FU PANDA 2 features some superb vocal performances from the likes of Jack Black, Angelina Jolie and even Gary Oldman, so we made the decision here at THN towers to go back and take a look at a few voice overt artists and artistes that have contributed to  movies that you may, or may not have known.

Gerard Butler in HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

Perhaps one of the best animated films from 2010. Here, Glaswegian actor Gerard Butler lent his vocal chords to the character of Stoick, the Viking warrior committed to kicking the backside of his mortal enemies, the dragons.  Butler also reprised his role as the chief for the TV short, Legend of the Boneknapper Dragon, which debuted in the same year. The performance is pretty unique as Butler actor actually uses his broad Scottish accent, and the not the put on American accent that he employs in most of his films.

Here he is in action…

Jennifer Aniston in THE IRON GIANT

Perhaps one of the best traditionally animated films of the nineties was the Brad Bird directed THE IRON GIANT. In the days of Friends, Rachel herself Jennifer Aniston spent one of her summer breaks voiceing the character of Annie Hughes in the film – as did the likes of Vin Diesel and Harry Connick Jr. The film focusses on the story of of a young boy who makes friends with a huge alien robot that a government agent is intent on destroying. Diesel voiced the robot, while Aniston played the part of the yong boys mother.

Take a look at Aniston in action at the tail end of this clip.

John Travolta in BOLT.

The king of the comebacks, John Travolta, waited all of the way until 2008 to lend his voice to a film. That film was BOLT from directors Byron Howard and Chris Williams (and writer Dan Fogelman). Travolta voices the title character, a canine star of a fictional sci-fi/action show that believes his powers are real, and embarks on a cross country trek to save his co-star from a threat he believes is just as real. Miley Cyrus also starred as Penny, as did Malcolm McDowell, Chloe Moretz and the late wrestling legend Macho Man Randy Savage.

Here’s a clip…

Denis Leary in ICE AGE

Appearing in the original ICE AGE and indeed all of its sequels is US funnyman Denis Leary, a fan of whom yours truly has been since his work in the under rated actioner from the early nineties JUDGEMENT NIGHT, and THE REF. In ICE AGE, Leary plays the part of sabretooth hunter Diego, now one of the founding member of the Sub Zero Heroes. Leary has recently been seen in the superb fireman TV show Rescue Me, and is even appearing in the upcoming THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN.

Here’s the man in action in the third movie, ICE AGE: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS.

James Caan in CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS

Another gem from recent times. ‘Cloudy’ revolves around a town where food falls from above. James Caan, he who is most famous for his roles in THE GODFATHER and subsequent comic gangster roles (I give you MICKEY BLUE EYES), here voices technophobe Tim Lockwood, father to our hero flint. We love this movie, such an original film actually based on the book of the same name by Judi and Ron Barrett.

Here’s the trailer…

Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, Liam Neeson in PONYO

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, and starring Yuria Nara, Hiroki Doi, Jôji Tokoro, the English language version actually featured the vocals of Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon and Liam Neeson. Almost like a ‘Little Mermaid’ like story (though frankly – not), the film revolves around a five year old boy and his relationship with a goldfish, who longsto become human. Blanchett voices Gran Mamare, Damon is Koichi and Neeson voices Fujimoto. The film was released by Disney in the English language.

Here’s the trailer.

Jean Claude Van Damme – KUNG FU PANDA 2

Bet you never saw this one coming! Yes, JCVD is in KUNG FU PANDA 2 (out in cinemas now). He plays the character of Master Croc in the film, which I believe is his first animated movie. He has provided his voice for a number of video games before, but this is his first feature.

KUNG FU PANDA 2 is playing in UK cinemas everywhere now.