Animated Brew

***Animated Brew*** (also known as ***The Adventures of Bob & Doug McKenzie: Animated Brew***) is a 2023 Canadian-American animated comedy film starring the popular SCTV characters Bob and Doug McKenzie, voiced by Jay Baruchel and Seth Rogen respectively. Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas, the creators of the McKenzie brothers, served as the film's executive producers. The film was directed by Seth Rogen and written by Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas, Seth Rogen, and Evan Goldberg.

In the film, Bob and Doug McKenzie, the lovably eccentric Canadian brothers, stumble upon a mysterious treasure map hidden in a crate of beer. Embarking on a cross-country journey, they encounter a quirky cast of characters, including a wise old moose, a friendly beaver engineer, and a group of mischievous raccoons, all while navigating comical challenges and thwarting an evil corporate tycoon's plans to exploit the Canadian wilderness. The film blends classic McKenzie humor with animated escapades and environmental themes.

Produced by Point Grey Pictures, the film was released in theaters on September 22, 2023, by Lionsgate Films. It received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the film's humor, musical score, animation, and environmental message. It also became a box office success, grossing $72 million worldwide on a $30 million budget and becoming Lionsgate's highest-grossing animated feature to date.

## Plot

Bob and Doug McKenzie are two lovably eccentric Canadian brothers who live in Maple Lake, a small town in Ontario just across the Canada–United States border from Buffalo, New York. One day, they try to project "Mutants of 2051 AD", a homemade science fiction film they created, to a theater audience, but the film keeps breaking. This results in some hilarious antics as the disappointed patrons become hostile, and the brothers try to salvage the screening, including releasing a jar of moths in the theater, which disrupts the showing and allows them to escape without issuing refunds, although they did give one refund to a couple of crying kids, which turned out to be the beer money their father gave them.

After a daring escape, Bob and Doug return to their cabin, where their amused parents ask about their movie adventure. Later, the brothers go to the Elsinore Brewery to pick up more beer. In their shipment, they discover an old treasure map. This sparks their quest to find the treasure out in the Canadian wilderness. As they hike through the woods following the map, Bob and Doug meet Clarence, a wise old moose who becomes their mentor. Clarence imparts lessons about enjoying the journey and protecting nature. The brothers also encounter Bev, a resourceful beaver who joins their quest. Her engineering skills come in handy.

Together, Bob, Doug, and Bev go on a treasure hunt in the woods while forming new friendships. After some mishaps with a village of raccoons led by Remy, they eventually find the treasure - a chest filled with Bob and Doug's favorite beer. However, the evil tycoon Gus Geddes shows up, intent on stealing the treasure chest to defeat the McKenzie brothers. Gus has been exploiting the Canadian wilderness for profit. A battle ensues, but Bob, Doug, and Bev manage to escape with the treasure.

Back at their cabin, Bob and Doug have another run-in with Gus's henchmen, the Mischievous Mini-Minions. But the brothers defend against them. It's then revealed that Gus is destroying the wilderness, so Bob and Doug rally the town of Maple Lake to protest against him. Despite Gus trying to undermine them, the brothers motivate the townspeople to stand united. After a climactic battle, Bob, Doug and their allies defeat Gus, protecting the wilderness.

Later, Gus's assistant Vanessa approaches the brothers about Gus changing his ways. Bob and Doug are skeptical but open to giving him a chance. At a town gathering, Bob and Doug announce to the skeptical crowd that Gus wants to work together on projects benefiting the community and environment. Though uncertain, the people ultimately rally behind giving Gus a chance. The story then skips ahead in time, showing Maple Lake flourishing thanks to the unified efforts of the townspeople and Gus's corporation. Bob, Doug, Bev, Clarence, and their other allies reflect on their journey around a campfire.

In a heartwarming montage, the friends celebrate their victory, camaraderie and the connections made. Clarence narrates about the quest, reminding viewers that by working together, they can protect the wonders of nature. Bob, Doug, and Bev then appear and encourage viewers to care for the environment and wildlife. The film ends with humorous over-the-credits commentary from the McKenzie brothers about the movie and select crew members as their names appear in the credits.

## Cast

* Jay Baruchel as Bob McKenzie, the fun-loving and easy going half of the McKenzie duo. He's known for his plaid shirt, toque (beanie), and his endearing "eh" catchphrase. Bob has a deep love for the Canadian wilderness and Maple Lake, and he's determined to protect them from any harm. He often comes up with creative and offbeat solutions to problems, using his humor and wit to bring people together.
* Seth Rogen as Doug McKenzie, the laid-back and good-natured half of the McKenzie duo. Doug is Bob's younger brother and partner-in-crime. He shares Bob's love for the outdoors and their hometown. With his friendly and laid-back personality, Doug brings a sense of camaraderie and lightheartedness to their adventures. He's always up for a laugh and a cold beer, and his antics often provide comic relief throughout the film.
* Raoul Max Trujillo as Clarence the Moose Mentor, a wise and gentle moose who serves as a mentor and guide to the McKenzie brothers. He imparts valuable lessons about nature, community, and the importance of standing up for what's right. Clarence's calm demeanor and insightful advice play a crucial role in the brothers' journey.
* Katie Crown as Bev the Beaver, a clever and resourceful beaver who becomes a close friend and ally to Bob and Doug. She's deeply connected to the environment and is dedicated to preserving it. Bev uses her engineering skills to help the group, often crafting contraptions to outsmart their foes. Her no-nonsense attitude and determination make her an invaluable member of the team.
* Don Cheadle as Remy the Raccoon, a mischievous and charismatic raccoon who is the leader of his raccoon village, Remville. Remy frequently joins Bob and Doug on their escapades. He's known for his quick thinking and knack for getting into tight spots. Remy's street smarts and cunning nature provide both comedic relief and clever solutions to the challenges they face.
* Michael Stuhlbarg as Gus Geddes, a ruthless and greedy businessman who seeks to exploit the Canadian wilderness for profit. Gus is the main antagonist of the film. He's determined to build a resort that threatens the delicate ecosystem of the area. Gus is driven by his desire for wealth and power, and he stops at nothing to achieve his goals. Despite his villainous nature, his comedic moments add a layer of humor to his character.
* Danny McBride as Frank McKenzie, a down-to-earth and hardworking man who is Jennifer's husband and Bob and Doug's father.
* Lauren Miller Rogen as Jennifer McKenzie, a caring and spirited woman who is Frank's wife and Bob and Doug's mother.
* Rachel McAdams as Vanessa Chambers, a businesswoman who works for Gus Geddes but becomes sympathetic to the cause of protecting the wilderness and the town. Her journey from a corporate ally to a supporter of environmental preservation showcases her character development and her eventual alliance with Bob and Doug.

## Production

### Development

In 2019, it was announced that Point Grey Pictures was developing an animated film based on the McKenzie brothers. The film was to be directed by Seth Rogen and written by Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas, Seth Rogen, and Evan Goldberg.

### Casting

In 2021, it was announced that Jay Baruchel and Seth Rogen would voice Bob and Doug McKenzie, respectively. Additional actors like Raoul Trujillo, Katie Crown, Don Cheadle, Michael Stuhlbarg, Danny McBride, Lauren Miller Rogen, and Rachel McAdams were announced later that year.

### Animation

The film was animated at Bardel Entertainment in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Yowza! Animation in Toronto, Ontario. The animation team used a combination of traditional 2D animation and computer-generated imagery (CGI) to create the film's unique visual style. The film's color palette was inspired by the Canadian wilderness, and the character designs were based on the original SCTV sketches. The animation team worked closely with the filmmakers to ensure that the film captured the essence of the McKenzie brothers and their world.

### Music

The film's score was composed by Christophe Beck. The score was inspired by the Canadian wilderness and the film's environmental themes. Beck incorporated traditional Canadian folk music into the score, as well as elements of rock and pop music. The score was praised by critics for its beauty and emotional impact.

## Release

In early 2023, Lionsgate acquired the distribution rights for *Animated Brew*, recognizing the film's potential to resonate with audiences both familiar with and new to the McKenzie brothers. The film's release date was set for September 22, 2023, providing an ideal opportunity for families and fans to enjoy the comedic journey of the McKenzie brothers as they navigated their unique adventure. The film's release aligned with the start of the fall season, when the picturesque Canadian landscapes featured in the film added an extra layer of charm.

### Marketing

Lionsgate launched a marketing campaign for *Animated Brew* in the summer of 2023. The campaign included trailers, TV spots, print ads, and social media posts. The campaign focused on the film's humor, heartwarming story, and environmental message. The campaign also highlighted the film's all-star cast and the talented creative team behind it. The campaign was a success, generating significant awareness and excitement for the film.

### Home media

*Animated Brew* is scheduled to be released on DVD and Blu-ray on December 13, 2023. The home media release will include a number of bonus features, including deleted scenes, a featurette on the making of the film, and a sing-along version of the film's theme song, "Northbound Quest" by Alessia Cara.

## Reception

### Box office

*Animated Brew* was released in theaters on September 22, 2023. It grossed $35 million in its opening weekend, ranking second at the box office behind *Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny*. The film went on to gross $72 million worldwide, making it a box office success.

### Critical response

*Animated Brew* received generally positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 75% approval rating based on 160 reviews, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "*Animated Brew* is a fun and heartwarming adventure that captures the spirit of the McKenzie brothers while also offering a timely environmental message." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 66 out of 100 based on 35 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.