Our Review

                      Movie: RAY GUNN

Rating: PG, violence, action, language, some suggestive material and thematic elements

                           Length: 1:59

           Release Date: December 4, 2026

JEANNE: Featuring exceptional animation, stylish set designs and an amazing voice cast, Academy Award-winning writer/director Brad Bird’s latest project is with NETFLIX and Skydance Animation. A wildly entertaining sci-fi/classic detective film for adults, RAY GUNN is according to Bird, “THE MALTESE FALCON meets BUCK ROGERS.”

 

Working from a screenplay he wrote with Matthew Robbins, RAY GUNN is set in the retro-futurist city of Metropia, where humans and aliens co-exist. Ray Gunn (voiced by Sam Rockwell) is a private detective who still employs the old-school ways. A cyclopsian alien named Eye-Ra (voiced by Tom Waits) is Ray’s devoted partner.

 

Experiencing a devastating slump in his business, and unable to pay Eye-Ra, Ray takes on a big case involving Venus Nova (voiced by Scarlett Johansson), the biggest singing star in Metropia. Her new album, Welcome to the Future, is about to be released and her manager, who was also her first husband, wants her protected. He hires Ray to watch her every move --- something that is more difficult than it sounds.

 

Murders, double crossings, blackmail, etc. all abound in RAY GUNN. As Ray and Eye-Ra try their best to protect Venus, it’s becoming painfully obvious that there is so much more going on. Can Venus be trusted? And what are the secrets she is hiding? 

RAY GUNN is everything one could want in an adult, animated thriller. It’s gritty, engaging, colorful and filled with amusing one-liners. And when you have extremely talented actors like Rockwell, Johansson, Waits, Bobby Cannavale, Alan Tudyk, Matt Berry and Michael Chernus, who plays former cop Sam Stelfreeze, who really loves his job, the outcome is even more entertaining.

 

But RAY GUNN is way more than great voices and smart dialogue. Bird has assembled an accomplished crew including Erik Smitt as Director of Photography, Paul Felix as Production Designer and Wendell Luebbe as Art Director to bring his movie to life. RAY GUNN is a sumptuous feast for the eyes.

 

And who knew Johansson could sing? Singer-songwriter Kimbra was tasked by Bird to write songs for RAY GUNN, which are sung by Venus Nova and are pretty spectacular. As one would expect, the sensational score is composed by Michael Giacchino, a long-time collaborator --- and friend --- of Bird’s.

 

As a huge fan of animated movies, when one comes along strictly for adults, it’s exciting. Bird has been laboring over RAY GUNN for years --- it’s wonderful to witness his success.

 

    Opening in Select Theaters December 4th

          Streaming on Netflix December 18th

 

OPINION: SEE IT NOW!

DAVID: RAY GUNN is the latest animated feature film from the incredibly talented Brad Bird. He earned Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature Film for RATATOUILLE and THE INCREDIBLES. RAY GUNN certainly ranks with Bird’s earlier efforts. Here he directs and shares screenwriting credits with Matthew Robbins.

 

With voice talents Sam Rockwell (private eye Raymond Gunn) and Scarlett Johansson (singer/mega star Venus Nova) leading the way --- she also has a surprisingly smooth voice --- we are immediately engrossed with the characters. Gunn is struggling to keep his business afloat and Rockwell projects just the right amount of optimism that things will work out. His is an easy portrayal for which to root. Venus, with her lustrous blonde hair and striking blue eyes, could be a sultry movie star from any era. Johansson’s naturally husky voice provides Venus’ sexuality.

 

We’re never sure if Ray and Venus will have a romantic aspect to their relationship, which is part of the fun. RAY GUNN is also Rockwell’s third collaboration with Johansson to go along with Iron Man 2 and Jojo Rabbit. 

Bird had classic detectives in mind from past film noir stories to create Raymond Gunn, such as Philip Marlowe and Sam Spade (both portrayed by Humphrey Bogart, among other actors). Bird even incorporated a trench coat for Ray --- a la characters from the film noir movies --- so he could blend in with any crowd.

 

The look of the movie, billed as retro/futurist, features automobiles that fly, magnificent office buildings and little touches like billboards and neon signs that are easy to miss the first time around. Certainly, repeat viewings of RAY GUNN are highly recommended. Visual Effects supervisor Josh Herrig was asked about Bird’s feedback for his part of the movie. The answer: “Just make it cool, man.”

 

Others lending their voice talents include Tom Waits as Eye-Ra Kadok, cyclopsian alien and Ray’s best friend/business partner, who provides much of the comic relief. And there’s one of Jeanne’s all-time favorites, Bobby Cannavale, who portrays Arnold Dom, Venus’ fourth husband.

 

Add the musical talents of renowned composer and frequent Bird collaborator Michael Giacchino, plus New Zealand singer/songwriter Kimbra, and RAY GUNN is a supremely pleasurable cinematic experience.

 

   Opening in Select Theaters December 4th

 

       Streaming on Netflix December 18th

 

OPINION: SEE IT NOW!