Cool Spot (film)

Cool Spot is a 2018 British-American 3D computer-animated adventure comedy film produced by CreativeStep Animation Studios as its first feature film and project and based on the 1993 video game of the same name. Written and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the film features a ensemble cast with Pharrell Williams as the title character, alongside Mila Kunis, Alec Baldwin, Bobby Cannavale, Tom Holland, Luke Wilson, Snoop Dogg, Bill Murray, Bobby Moynihan, James Corden, Michael B. Jordan, Adrien Brody, Steve Coogan, Ron Funches, Alison Brie, Andy Samberg, Debra Messing, Finn Wolfhard, and Frank Welker. In Cool Spot, the titular character goes out on a journey of twists and turns to get back Pop City's coolness after it gets stolen.

The film was released in the United States and the United States June 29, 2018 by 20th Century Fox in Dolby Cinema, RealD 3D and IMAX formats. It has grossed over $437 million worldwide and received positive reviews, with praise for its musical score, faithfulness to its source, voice performances of the cast (particularly Williams, Holland, Baldwin, Murray, and Kunis), humor, soundtrack, and animation, though criticism was on some of the characters' use of alcohol. It is also the highest ranked video game movie of all time on Rotten Tomatoes. An extended PG-13-rated director's cut was released on November 20, 2018. A sequel to the film is currently in development and is scheduled to be released on July 30, 2021.

Plot
5-year old Cool Spot has different dreams unlike most of his classmates in his kindergarten class which is to become the coolest boy in town. However, he is made fun of by Fresh-up Freddie for this which makes him run off crying. During recess, Spot befriends a girl named Eve, who tells him that you can do anything in the world even if it sounds dumb or unrealistic. She makes a promise with Cool Spot to support and be with him all the way to his adulthood while attempting to go for his dream.

Spot and Eve grow up, with Spot eventually turning into a hype party goer eventually giving him popularity. During these times, he eventually tries bad things such as underage drinking but also is a star athlete being known for basketball. However, after getting arrested for disturbing the peace, he temporarily stops his dream to focus in school which he ends up graduating.

Years later in the present day, Spot is introduced to his DJ/Best friend DJ O-Ro which causes an uproar of cheering as he dances and parties. Once the party is over, he reads a news article talking about his success on becoming the coolest person in the city which makes him satisfied. Spot later goes to his home where he lives with his boring dad, Womp Daddy, his hyper and cool mother, Swag Mom, and his younger brother who is inspired by Spot himself, Lil' Cooky. Spot also thanks Eve, who is now his girlfriend since 6th grade for his success on following his dream.

Somewhere else on a dark mysterious island, an evil bird who goes by his nickname Metal-Bird vows a plan to get rid of the coolness of the city after being neglected and rejected in his past years. Bump Cola, who used to be the former mascot of 7-Up is held hostage being threatened to help Metal-Bird's plan be successful by explaining that a prophesy of the coolest man in the city being the only one to stop him. Afterwards, Bump is tased and beat up while also ordered to find the coolest man in the city.

2 weeks later, Spot is at the dinner table telling his parents about his crazy day which consisted of exploding buildings and being chased. He later calls his friends, Splish, 7-Up, Bebe, and his cousin Fido Dido telling him that he'll be on TV later on in the day for the Grand Opening to the new edition to Pop City, Party Island, a building where there is nothing but parties. Spot meets Princess Gulpman, who is the princess of Pop City that aids Cool Spot and knights him as well. Dave Cola, Bump's older brother, asks Spot about his brother who has been missing for 2 weeks which Spot doesn't know about. After delivering his speech and opening up the building, Spot walks to his car only to find a person laid out on the ground who is later revealed to be Bump Cola who is frightened by something. Spot just ignores this and walks to his car where he is knocked out cold. He later wakes up to be in the mayor's office in custody with Lil' Ade and Dave Cola who tells him that he is important for the city and should go on a quest to get the city's coolness back after it is stolen by Metal-Bird. Spot doesn't take it seriously until Dave mentions Eve's life being in danger if he doesn't go which makes him more confident in going.

Spot informs his robot assistant Cokebot about the quest and commands him to tell his parents and family. However, Cokebot remembers he wants him to play rock, paper, scissors since Cool Spot lost a previous bet with him. The game lasts 24 hours and results in an impatient Spot punching Cokebot. Cool Spot attempts to sneak out the house successfully however, Drinky, Spot's cousin scares him and questions him about where he's going. While they're both arguing, Spot is confronted by Quez, Dez, and Lez, three bumbling cops that constantly harrasses Spot. Spot ends up making Dez cry and prompts Spot and Drinky to run which Drinky runs back inside quickly.

At noon, Spot calls his friends and asks them if he can come with them on the quest which everyone agrees. Spot first picks up Bebe, who is at the UpMart arguing with the clerk Splurge, then he picks up Fido Dido and Splish, lastly he picks up 7-Up his bestest friend. They are taken home to Spot showing them a plan on this quest which Lil' Cooky walks into and later walks out the room. Splish who is questionable about the plan later agrees and they go to Eve's house who doesn't want Spot to go out of town. Eve intially states she'll never let Spot go out on a dangerous quest until a talking cookie tells her to let him go.

Spot and his friends go out on the road until the car ends up crashing after a dark ninja slashes the car's tires making them crash off the highway into Flimsy Fishtown. They all wake up to be robbed at the entrance of the old town. While walking Spot runs into a wild dog which he tames and makes his pet naming him Orie. Later at night, Spot is at a camp fire with his friends telling confessions about him which makes him argue with 7-Up. Spot who is mad, runs off with Orie crying.

Being hopeless and disappointed in himself, Spot takes Orie to go unrinate until he is confronted by Deeney Hopps, Bump Cola's arch-rival who fights him until he figures out that it's Spot. They later walk back to the campfire only to find everyone except Splish who is asleep in the car. Hopps informs them about Pop City being a warzone since Metal-Bird has taken over and also makes a plan on rescuing Bebe, 7-Up, and Fido Dido. However, this plan fails as everyone was caught and imprisoned in the B.O.Z.O, which is short for the Boring Zone by Metal-Bird's henchman, Berry Merry. Hopps attempts to attack Metal-Bird but ends up being shot in the chest with a ray gun and puts the B.O.Z.O. on self-destruct mode.

Before dying, Deeney Hopps told him he never initially wanted to have problems with Bump Cola. Spot who is knocked out is shown with various memories telling him that he is not just the coolest person but a hero. Tied up to a bomb, Cool Spot goes through the dark portal which most are known not to come back through. Splish, who agrees with Spot for the first time, tells everyone to avenge Spot.

Spot goes through the Legend Realm where various legends tell Cool Spot to go back and fight as his friends are in danger. Spot talks to his younger self who is proud of himself being successful and tells him to go back and help even if they bullied him. Spot who is now courageous goes back to Pop City.

Back at the city, everyone are mindless zombies who lack coolness including Splish. Spot who now has super ablities flies back to the city beating Metal-Bird's various henchmen and sees Eve being under Metal-Bird's zombie spell which makes Spot angry. Spot who is now angered searches for Metal-Bird and later finds him. They have a brief fist fight until Spot is frozen and Metal-Bird reveals himself to be Fresh-up Freddie. Spot melts himself and has a huge final fight with Freddie who is now mutated and a huge giant, through the city where Spot is later pushed into a electric shield for the zombie spell. Spot who is upset starts dabbing which causes one citizen to return back to normal. Spot eventually goes with his plan and starts rapping and partying like his normal self until everyone is back to normal. Freddie also shrinks to his normal size and is pushed to a ledge where Spot stomps on his hand making him fall to his death.

Spot and everyone else in the city goes to City Hall cheering for Cool Spot who saves the day giving him a metal. The body of Deeney Hopps is also brought in memorial where Spot uses his powers to revive him with Hopps hugging him hard. Orie finally speaks calling Cool Spot crazy but he is a lovable owner then The Twizzla Twins later start a huge city wide party with Cool Spot, Eve Coke, and everyone else in the city with Cool Spot and Eve sharing a huge kiss.

In a mid-credits scene, Spot is confronted by an unknown man who is later revealed to be the Kool-Aid Man who is finally released from Sparkling Prison.

In a post-credits scene, Drinky sneaks out of Cool Spot's room to wear his trademark glasses and thanks the audience for waiting for no apparent reason.

Main Cast

 * Pharrell Williams as Cool Spot, an eccentric anthropomorphic red dot that sports sunglasses and often proclaims himself as the coolest person in Pop City.
 * Eminem voices a Cool Spot impersonator.
 * Mila Kunis as Eve Coke, the girlfriend to Cool Spot who works with her brother Berry to help the city maintain its coolness. Singer Rihanna provided Eve Coke's singing voice during the end of the movie.
 * Ava Acres voiced young Eve Coke
 * Alec Baldwin as Fresh-up Freddie, a red feathered bird who falls behind the shadow of Cool Spot's fame.
 * Bobby Cannavale as Dave Cola, the brother of Bump Cola who gained success after finding out the secret formula in Coolness.
 * Tom Holland as Splish, a sarcastic, wise cracking blue dot with big eyes that is neutral towards Cool Spot.
 * Luke Wilson as Fido Dido, a black and white man with messy hair who is Cool Spot's cousin.
 * Snoop Dogg as Bebe, a laid-back green dot who is shown to have swagger that's different from others.
 * Bill Murray as 7-Up, a talking soda drink that is best friends with Cool Spot.
 * Bobby Moynihan as Berry Coke, the brother of Eve Coke and an old friend of Spot who he known ever since he was 4.
 * James Corden as Bump Cola, the former mascot of 7-Up that is now retired.
 * Michael B. Jordan as Deeney Hopps, the arch rival of Bump Cola, who took the spot light from him and is good friends with Cool Spot.
 * Adrien Brody as Drinky, a childish yellow dot who is the cousin of Cool Spot.
 * Steve Coogan as Cokebot, the butler assistant to Cool Spot that follows every order of his master no matter what. Marcella Lentz-Pope provided Cokebot's singing voice when he was accidentially switched to pop singer mode.
 * Ron Funches as BAM!, the new nice and spicy mascot of Sprite.
 * Alison Brie as Princess Gulpman, the princess of Pop City.
 * Andy Samberg as Womp Daddy, Cool Spot’s sarcastic and monotone father who is shown to be slow and boring unlike his son.
 * Debra Messing as Swag Mom, Cool Spot's mother who has a similar personality to him unlike his father.
 * Finn Wolfhard as Lil' Cooky, Cool Spot's younger brother who has the same swag as Cool Spot.
 * Frank Welker as Orie, a wild dog who is similar to an Oreo that Cool Spot ends up keeping as a pet.
 * Jay Leno as Orie's speaking voice
 * Lil' Yachty as Lil' Ade, a rapping Powerade bottle that is the vice president of Pop City.
 * Jason Statham as Jason Spotham, a 7up version of the British actor Jason Statham.
 * Diedrich Bader as Splurge, the reasonable clerk at UpMart.
 * André 3000 as DJ O-Ro, a anamorphic Oreo who DJ’s all of the parties that are in the city.
 * Seth MacFarlane as Berry Merry, a blueberry with a Italian mob-esque voice and a gloomy attitude who is Fresh-up Freddie's henchman.
 * Tracy Morgan as Granddaddy Spot, Cool Spot's grandfather who is old-fashioned and loves using older technology.
 * Maya Rudolph as Grandmomma Spot, Cool Spot's grandmother who is more hip and is slightly deaf.
 * Jay Pharoah as Ludacris, a well known rapper who Cool Spot is friends with.
 * James Earl Jones as King Sweets, the king of Pop City and Princess Gulpman's father.
 * Whoopi Goldberg as Queen Tasty, the queen of Pop City and Princess Gulpman's mother.
 * Jason Drucker as Lil' Squirt, a little boy who is Lil' Cooky's best friend as well as classmate.
 * Mark Hamill as Rooty, a 700 pound brown bear who hungers for soda and eats Cool Spot.
 * Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson (uncredited) as Kool-Aid Man, a unknown man who was released from Sparkle Prison.
 * Mac Miller as Paul, the A.I. in Cool Spot's car.
 * Corey Burton and Dee Bradley Baker as the Twizzla Twins, two hip and youthful older men who are often seen at Cool Spot's party which they end up ruining due to often breaking and jumping onto the snack tables.
 * Tom McGrath, Conrad Vernon, and Alexander Bates as Quez, Dez, and Lez, three bumbling police officers who often try to arrest Cool Spot due to his loudness and mostly for no reason. The inspiration of these characters are based on the The Three Stooges.
 * Tom Kenny as Marlon and Wayne, two M&M's that are at every party.
 * Phil LaMarr, Grey Griffin, Kevin Michael Richardson, Jeff Bennett, John DiMaggio, and Jennifer Hale as the legends in the Legend Realm.
 * Jim Cummings as the News Reporter in Pop City

Directors Cut Cast

 * Rickey Smiley as Bubba Bubba, one of Cool Spot's fellow college students who always pulled pranks on his college professors.
 * Regina King as Watermelon Spot, Cool Spot's aunt who basically acts young for her age.

Additional voices

 * Steve Alterman - Pizzadog
 * Stephen Apostolina - Partygoer #1
 * Rajia Baroudi - Partygoer #2
 * Holly J. Barrett - Parent
 * Susan Boyajian - Angry Outsider
 * Steven Jay Blum - Alien #1, Buzzed Partygoer, Candinator
 * June Christopher - Kid #2, Zombiefied Mom
 * Robert Clotworthy - Zombiefied Dad
 * David Cowgill - Zombiefied Grandad
 * Niall Cunningham - Moaning Legend Spirit #1, Old Hippie Mom
 * Wendy E. Cutler - Wine drinking teen, Elderly Oreo
 * Debi Derryberry - Female Teacher, Kid #1
 * Terri Douglas
 * Robin Atkin Downes
 * Giselle Eisenberg
 * Jennifer Crystal Foley
 * Eddie Frierson
 * Jean Gilpin
 * Maurice LaMarche
 * Jackie Gonneau
 * Nicholas Guest - Nicky Snicker
 * Jess Harnell - Cop, Donut Guard, Hypotized Teenager
 * Jason Harris - Kid #3, Loud partygoer #2
 * Danielle Judovits -
 * Yuri Lowenthal - the mailman, alarm clock
 * Caitlin McKenna -
 * Scott Menville - Alien #2, Loud partygoer #1
 * Piotr Michael
 * Max Mittelman
 * Jonathan Nichols
 * Paul Pape
 * Jacqueline Piñol
 * Lynwood Robinson
 * Peter Pamela Rose
 * Dennis Singletary
 * Pepper Sweeney
 * Fred Tatasciore - Talking cookie
 * Matthew Wood
 * Ruth Zalduondo

Production
Coming soon!

Music
Ludwig Göransson was hired to compose the film's score by July 2017. Pharrell Williams produced the film's curated soundtrack, titled ''Cool Spot: The Album. ''Lord and Miller chose Williams for the project because his "artistic themes align with those we explore in the film." Cool Spot: The Album was released on June 22, 2018 and included the singles ”Paradise”, ”Feels”, “We Get Turnt Up”, and “Surfin”. The soundtrack also contains more mature language than the movie itself.

Release
Cool Spot was released on June 29, 2018 in 2D, 3D, Dolby Cinema, and IMAX by 20th Century Fox. The film is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for ”animated action violence, rude humor, language, drunkness, innuendo, and brief suggestive comments.”

The extended director's cut of the film is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for ”intense sequences of animated violence and action, rude humor, language, brief drug use, drunkness, innuendo, and some suggestive comments.”

Marketing
Coming soon!

Merchandise
A Cool Spot graphic novel and comic miniseries was published by Dark Horse Comics in 2018. The graphic novel, titled Cool Spot: Part Rap Star, was written by Liz Marsham and illustrated by Nicoletta Baldari. A comic miniseries, titled Cool Spot: Dancing, Dabbing & Other Stories, was written by Christos Gage and Landry Walker, and illustrated by Gurihiru, J. Bone, Andrea Greppi and Roberta Zanotta.

A video game of the same name was released on June 22, 2018. Other than Tom Holland, Luke Wilson, Snoop Dogg, Frank Welker, Finn Wolfhard, and Bill Murray, none of the main cast members reprise their roles in the video game.

Home media
The film was released on digital and Movies Anywhere on November 6, 2018, while the DVD, Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray was released later on November 20, 2018, by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. It included special behind the scenes featurettes, as well as an exclusive extended director's cut that includes scenes not shown theatrically which is rated PG-13 by the MPAA since it has stronger language and more intense violence than the original PG-rated theatrical cut. Additionally, it features an new animated short titled Orie's Big Night Out.

Box office
Coming soon!

Critical reception
Cool Spot received positive reviews from critics. Film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a rating of 78%, based on 253 reviews, with an average score of 8.4/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Fast, funny, interesting, and mouth-watering fun, Cool Spot subverts the video game adaption formula to a more family-friendly fare with jokes and pranks included." Metacritic, another review aggregator, assigned a score of 69 out of 100 based on 25 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale, while PostTrak reported filmgoers gave it a 93% overall positive score and an 83% "definite recommend".

Epilepsy issues
Many disability advocates, including the Epilepsy Foundation, have raised concerns that scenes with flashing lights, mostly in a party sequence as well as Cool Spot's fight with Fresh-Up Freddie, can trigger seizures in viewers affected by photosensitive epilepsy. As a result, several theaters have started posting warnings for audiences. Fox issued a statement to USA Today stating that they appreciated the efforts the theaters had already made in making signs warning people seeing the movie. They then asked theaters to warn audiences about the scene in a memo that read, "Cool Spot contains a sequence of flashing lights, which may affect customers who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy or other photosensitivities."

In response to this, the UK released a re-edited version of the film with all affected sequences altered so that any flashing lights and strobe effects now pass the Harding test.

Cinematic impact
Coming soon!

Accolades
Coming soon!

Sequel
Before the film's release, Fox greenlit a sequel, with all the writers slated to return, for a possible 2021 release date. Additionally, Williams, Kunis, Cannavale, Holland, Wilson, Snoop Dogg, Murray, Moynihan, Corden, Jordan, Brody, Jackson, Coogan, Brie, Messing, and Samberg are all expected to reprise their roles. Producer John Cohen also stated that he wants other notable mascots to be featured in the sequel as well. On September 17, 2018, it was confirmed that production on the sequel had commenced. On December 20, 2018, it was announced that the sequel would be released on July 30, 2021, with Lord and Miller returning to direct with Chernin, Williams and Jason Felts producing.

Television series
On April 17, 2019, it was confirmed that a television series based on the film is being produced and will premiere on Fox in Fall 2019.

Main
To see the main transcript of the film, click here.

Trailers
To see the transcript for the trailers of the film, click here.