Marco: The Most Popular Animated Film Of All Time

## The movie that started it all... is also Anaya Animation's most popular one.

What two cousins are both Hispanics, somewhat gibberish, and love chewing any type of candy? Joaquin & Emiliano, of course! These funny little guys appear in Anaya Animation's most beloved franchise and have won the hearts of many people across the globe with their signature wry gags. But of course there's something more about this film than these two mischievous kiddos and their friends. And besides, have you ever wondered if your kids could do anything you cannot usually do?

Having its roots traced back in the late 90s, Sony's CG animated espionage comedy *Marco* is about the most brilliant and talented genius mastermind of espionage who goes by Marco (aka Little James Bond or Polo, voiced by SNL's Bill Hader) with big dreams - and even bigger ambitions - as he stops at nothing to become the world's greatest spy, despite him being treated like ridicule and having eczema on his left arm. As the most ambitious of egomaniacs, he summons his countless army of had been innocent children to present them his latest devious scheme: stealing the whole entire world, literally. However, family time gets very demanding for him, so then he decides to throw off some huge party for his homies while this Jimmy Neutron blasts off to carry some heist involving the world's most powerful and coolest arm: the ultimate Mega Gun. But - oh no - his snobby nemesis Joe (Jason Segel) steals it from his hands and decides to do the same thing with his bossy girlfriend Alondra (Sandra Bullock), and besides, they had also ruined Marco's huge party too. With the help of his trusty bro Pepe and sister Isabella (Will Smith & Emma Stone respectively) and his other friends from the same neighborhood, "The Dumpling King" seeks truth behind the party crash, attempts to get back the secret weapon, and together they try to save the world from these two bullies before their worried parents return home, all while putting aside his own problems.

Perfectly blending high quality photorealism with cartoony resemblance to Hanna Barbera and plenty of Nickelodeon vibes, *Marco* is for sure the best thing to ever come out of some semi-competent studio named Sony Pictures. It is also the most successful and highly profitable animated film from the same studio who would later bring you *Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs* - cooked up from the same Lord & Miller duo - and *Hotel Transylvania* in the next few years, courtesy of Sony Pictures Animation. As *The New York Times* describes this film...

### "Besides being known as a crazy animated gem with plenty of heart, *Marco* is very successful because it's about a somewhat deplorable kid (Marco) and his plan of actually stealing the whole entire world for the sake of popularity, something that we as humans must take consideration nowadays."

***-The New York Times***

But what Marco really does is actually stealing our precious broken hearts for good instead of this cruel hostile world we've always lived in, but hey, nobody's perfect and not even Marco himself. Essentially made as innocent religious satire that revolves around church life and American consumerist culture, *Marco* proves to be something more than just another espionage comedy. You see, the whole point is that *Marco* serves as Anaya Animation's magnum opus thanks to its lovable yet recognizable characters such as Marco himself - who is by far the most expressive CG character ever born - Lord & Miller's most imaginative script being made with action scenes inspired by *James Bond* and crazy *Looney Tunes* resembled gags, and surprisingly moving emotional depth that extends beyond the infinite realm of Pixar movies in general. Not only that, but this computer animated *Spy Kids* wannabe flick also serves as homage to the world of cinema as a whole, chock full of pop culture references to the most iconic films of the last century and even the most beloved animated movies like *Toy Story* and *Shrek.* And even pop culture itself, as we have several references to iconic arcade video games, anime and manga culture, and famous pop stars like Michael Jackson & Brittney Spears. As numerous as the film's pop culture gags and sheer product placement, Marco's kids are described like this:

### "Joaquin & Emiliano (and their *Minion* like buds) are silly yet highly competent diverse human beings who show kindness to the people around them, despite their short statures and cravings for nonstop mischief mayhem."

**-*BuzzFeed***

The other characters in this film each have their own unique personalities, such as the genial yet funny Kevin (Robin Williams, of course) and the artsy independent and resourceful Aileene (Anna Faris). Marco is someone with a huge heart whose pure awkwardness and infectious charm make him the most valued oddball among his friends, and of course he likes being different no matter what other people think of him, even if he considered himself as the world's greatest spy. At first, Marco gently pushes his friends and family aside and uses them as devices who could help him carry out his career goals as a megalomaniacal spy, but soon he realizes that they are a true blessing for him as he solely dedicates them to an entertaining Field Day that's as fun as watching Pepe eating his last donut - followed by a silent Nativity night afterwards - camping near the Texas Hill Country, and later attending the pastor's wedding ceremony. Just like *The Emperor's New Groove,* most of the film's random jokes are worth several big laughs: among them Kevin's slow electric shopping cart driving skills, Marco's failed attempts at getting back the Mega Gun, Joe's sheer narcissism along with his outrageously creative arsenal, and Joaquin & Emiliano's slapstick gags of course. However, the most delicate aspect of this whole entire film would be its emotional core, since here we see animation's most depressing and happiest moments that include Marco's heretofore unknown grandparents getting buried on a VHS tape and Marco being constantly rejected by the same girl who took away her own anime book from his hands, to the melancholy tune of Randy Newman's "I Will Go Flying No More". Besides that depressive song mentioned,the film has a brighter side to its soundtrack with hits like "Crazy Maniac" from Heitor Periera and "Don't Believe Me, Just Watch" from Bruno Mars, two pop songs that would lift up your cheers before watching *Wheel Of Fortune* with your desired choice of Coke after this film; or if you want something more like Christian rock, here you're more than welcome to take the "Highway To Heaven" with your ensemble buds. This film has even achieved something more special that no other animated film but *The Prince Of Egypt* could ever achieve: that is representing Christian cinema in the most superb way and making it seem more proficient compared to other endless film genres, while also providing the audience an engaging story about little espionage agents who learn the importance of family and friendship in their lives, and reminding us about the goodness and perils of childhood with pure nostalgia. Marco ended up being very successful as both a spy and a kid because of his childlike optimism along with his sympathy and kindness towards others, much in part for the sake of God and his parents. Everything about this once underrated gem and its countless memes are pure amazing gold despite its tumultuous production issues - yes, this film got very troubled in production, as you can see in *The Sandbox,* and still managed to get its "Certified Fresh" rating on the Tomatometer - and crazy marketing campaign involving Marco's endlessly merchandisable cousins, and all this is what makes *Marco* so darn popular and special nowadays.