Thru the Moebius Strip

Infobox Film
name = Thru the Moebius Strip


caption =
director = Glenn Chaika
Kelvin Lee
producer = Raymond Neoh
David Kirschner
Jun Aida
writer =Jim Cox
starring =
music =
editing = Bob Bender
Lois Freeman-Cox
distributor =
released = 2006
runtime = 87 minutes
rating =
country = China, US
awards =
language = Mandarin, English
budget = estimated $156 million RMB (about US $20 million)
gross =
followed_by =
amg_id =
imdb_id =

Thru the Moebius Strip (zh-sp|s=魔比斯环|p=móbǐsī huán) is the first 3D-CGI Chinese animated feature film, made in mainland China. The original story is based on a sci-fi adventure from comic book artist Jean Giraud.

Plot

The story is about the coming of age of a 14 year old boy who grew up refusing to accept the loss of his father. He reaches the planet Raphicca 27.2 million light years away to find that his father is prisoner in a kingdom of giant aliens who believe in magic and a medieval code of chivalry. In the midst of a raging battle between good and evil, Jac rescues his father, his new found family of aliens, the planet of Raphicca, and ultimately, the universe.

Background

The film was financially backed by "GDC Entertainment" in Hong Kong and rendered in Shenzhen, China by the Institute of Digital Media Technology (IDMT). The project began with 200 animators in 2000 and grew to employ more than 400 by the end of production. Unlike traditional Chinese films, the movie was dubbed into English first. Previewed at the Second International Animation and Cartoon Festival at Hangzhou, China on April 27 and May 3rd, 2006 [China Economic Net. " [http://en.ce.cn/Life/entertainment/news/200606/04/t20060604_7211097.shtml China Economic Net] ." "Thru the Moebius Strip: A 3D animated coup for China." Retrieved on 2006-12-27.] , it is considered a critical first for Chinese animation products in the international market.

Reaction

The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2005 and received good reviews for the animation work [Animation Insider Net. " [http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=785 Animation Insider] ." "China's Moebius Strip." Retrieved on 2006-12-27.] . However film critics have emphasized that the story was mostly catered to the west with eastern elements added in, making it difficult to satisfy any group of audience in any one particular region. Most reviews also claim that it is more of a graphical showcase.

Characters

{|class="wikitable"! width=25%|Name! width=30%|Voiced by
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Narrator || Andrea Miller
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Young Jac || Michelle Ruff
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Simon Weir || Mark Hamill
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Caroline Weir || Peri Gilpin
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Young Ragis || Daisy Torme
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Shepway || Jean Simmons
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Jac Weir || Chris Marquette
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Allana || Kellie Martin
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Prince Ragis || Jonathan Taylor Thomas
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King Tor || Michael Dorn
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Crew

*Directed by Glenn Chaika
*Animation director Kelvin Lee
*Written by James Cox and Paul Gertz
*Based on the Story by Jean Giraud
*Produced by Anthony Neoh, David Kirschner and Frank Foster
*Executive producers Raymond D. Neoh, Jun Aida, Christopher Tuffin, Fred DeWysocki, Gordon Steel, Roxane Barbat and C. Scott Votaw
*Co-producers Jean Giraud and Arnie Wong
*Art director Fred Cline
*Production designer Jean Giraud
*Editors Bob Bender and Lois Freeman-Cox
*Music by Nathan Lanier, Peter Breiner, Patrick Copeland and Oliver Lliboutry
*Visual effects supervisor Manny Wong
*Special effects department Wayne A. Kennedy
*Sound designer Stephen P. Robinson
*Casting and voice director Jack Flecther

References

ee also

*History of Chinese animation
*List of computer-animated films
*List of animated feature films

External links

* [http://www.moebiusstrip.net Official Thru the Moebius Website]
*
* [http://www.idmt.com.cn/ IDMT Website]
* [http://www.gdc-world.com/content/view/12/26/lang,en/ GDC entertainment]