EARLY MAN Trailer

Reigning stop-motion animation king Nick Park is bringing us a new cast of characters in Early Man, but the film is up to the same tricks that made Wallace and Gromit household names. Namely, it’s got an off-kilter premise, absurdism, and slapstick galore, and if Park’s previous work is any indication, it will be a meticulously crafted treat.

The film revolves around a stone age man trying to save his tribe from an encroaching bronze age civilization, and like so many of Park’s projects, this plays on a few different levels. Kids will only pick up on the straightforward adventure while adults can read into it a British take on their county’s brutal history of colonialism. Or everyone can just laugh at the main character falling down stadium seating; whatever works for you.

Depending on your age, you may know Park best for the aforementioned Wallace and Gromit shorts and feature, its spin-off Shaun the Sheep, or his standalone (and slightly terrifying) feature Chicken Run. The latter remains the highest grossing stop-motion animation film of all time while all of his projects have racked up awards and critical adoration.

His long run of successes means that Early Man benefits from having the cream of the crop in key positions, with many people having worked on Park’s earlier projects. Everyone involved should be in tune with his vision, and considering how delightful his previous work has been, Early Man should be one of 2018’s standouts.

Early Man is directed by Nick Park and stars Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, and Maisie Williams. It will be released in the U.K. on January 28th, 2018 and in the U.S. on February 16th, 2018. For international release dates, click here.

Are you excited for Early Man? Let us know in the comments!