Mr. Peabody is a business titan, inventor, scientist, Nobel Laureate, gourmand, two-time Olympic medalist, and genius… who also happens to be a dog. Using his most ingenious invention, the WABAC machine, Mr. Peabody and his adopted boy Sherman hurtle back in time to experience world-changing events first-hand and interact with some of the greatest characters of all time. But when Sherman breaks the rules of time travel, our two heroes find themselves in a race to repair history and save the future, while Mr. Peabody may face his biggest challenge yet — being a parent.
Introduction
Mr. Peabody and Sherman is, at its heart, the story of the relationship between a father and his son. “Mr. Peabody adopted Sherman and raised him the best way he knows how,” explains the film’s director, Rob Minkoff, whose previous hits include the beloved animated film “The Lion King” and the live-action/CG animated “Stuart Little.” “Like with any family, things become complicated, so they both must grow and learn from their experiences and ultimately become an even better family.”
Even a world-class genius like Mr. Peabody will always have a lot to learn when it comes to parenting. “Mr. Peabody has to acknowledge that he doesn’t always completely understand his son,” adds producer Alex Schwartz. “Peabody discovers that giving up control is one of the greatest challenges one faces as a parent.”
Some of Mr. Peabody’s parenting lessons come via decidedly non-traditional child-rearing methods – like taking Sherman in a series of incredible adventures traveling across time. Time travel is a compelling notion that lends an intriguing dimension to an exciting, adventure-filled story. The film’s contemporary characters interact with equally entertaining famous figures from history – a dynamic that provides surprising fish out of water moments and myriad culture clashes. Journeying across the eras also offers a host of rules that must be followed – like never meeting yourself and having as little impact on the past as possible.
Mr. Peabody and Sherman’s entree to the infinite folds of history is a wondrous contraption called the WABAC, which is the singular creation of the world’s greatest inventor, Mr. Peabody. The perspicacious pooch built the device so Sherman could experience history up close and personal. The WABAC is much more than a vehicle; it’s character in its own right, which becomes an integral player in Peabody and Sherman’s adventures through time.
Like Father, Like Son
Rob Minkoff says that Mr. Peabody and Sherman are a classic movie team, “like Laurel and Hardy, Batman and Robin, Holmes and Watson.” That’s heady company, but Mr. Peabody isn’t your typical beagle: he is nothing less than a business titan, inventor, scientist, Nobel Laureate, gourmet, Olympic medalist, and genius – who just happens to be a dog.
Peabody possesses the genius of Einstein, the wit of Oscar Wilde, the daring of Indiana Jones, the deductive skills of Sherlock Holmes, the sartorial style of James Bond, and the culinary skills of Mario Batali. The one thing that challenges Peabody is keeping up with his adopted boy Sherman. Peabody devotes himself to Sherman, from whom he learns the one thing even a genius has to figure out – parenthood.
Ty Burrell, who voices Peabody, brings additional shadings to an already richly conceived character. But initially, says Minkoff, the “Modern Family” star wasn’t an obvious choice. “Ty is famous and beloved for playing put-upon dad Phil Dunphy in ‘Modern Family,’ and Phil isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. But when we put his performance together with the character of Peabody, it really locks into Peabody’s personality.”
“When you think about it, Mr. Peabody and Sherman were the original ‘Modern Family,'” Minkoff jokes. “What could be more modern than a dog as a parent?”
Producer Alex Schwartz (“Journey to the Center of the Earth”) notes that Burrell “brings humanity and warmth to Peabody, as well as tremendous humor and a unique vocal cadence.”
Burrell certainly had his work cut out for him; after all, he’s playing a character that, he describes as “essentially perfect, which is a very interesting kind of character to play because I am so imperfect. Peabody makes almost no mistakes, expect in fatherhood, as all dads do. He can think himself out of any situation or problem, except when it comes to dealing with Sherman.”
Burrell prepped for the role by watching the classic television shorts upon which the film is based. “From that, I would find my way back into my own voice,” he explains. “Peabody speaks with such precision; his consonants are always very clear.”
Burrell’s on-screen son is voiced by young actor Max Charles (ABC-TV’s “The Neighbors,” “The Amazing Spider-Man”), who, says Alex Schwartz, brings an authentic “kid’s voice” to Sherman. “Max is very funny, has fantastic timing and an adorable voice that sounds like he’s chewing on marbles.”
Charles’ Sherman is open, enthusiastic and over-curious. Growing up with his adoptive dad – the time-traveling super-genius Mr. Peabody – gives Sherman many opportunities for adventure. Like most youngsters, Sherman has a penchant for trouble and sometimes finds himself in over his head, but Sherman always makes certain to fix even the most difficult problems he creates.
“Sherman is a genuine kid,” says Minkoff. “He’s quite naive at times, but he’s actually a terrific student of Mr. Peabody’s because one of the special things they do together is travel through history. Peabody has taken the time to introduce Sherman to many of history’s greatest events.”
“Sherman is a kid through and through,” Schwartz elaborates. “He’s intelligent and a quick learner, but at the same time, he doesn’t always think things through and tends to leap before he looks.”
As any parent knows, those kinds of “leaps” can lead to breakage – and for Sherman, breaking the rules of time travel has extraordinary consequences. Says Max Charles: Sherman is “a normal kid who gets to do some unusual stuff, like travel back in time.”
Sherman learns a lot about everything from Mr. Peabody, and as Charles sees it the reverse is also true. “Peabody also learns a lot from Sherman, like how to be a little more laid back, and a little more trusting.”
“Peabody realizes that Sherman’s imperfections are what make him so wonderful,” adds Burrell, “and that it’s really worth trying to make himself more vulnerable.”
Mr. Peabody and Sherman
Directed by: Rob Minkoff
Starring: Ty Burrell, Max Charles, Ellie Kemper, Stephen Colbert, Ariel Winter, Allison Janney, Stephen Tobolowsky, Mel Brooks
Screenplay by: Craig Wright
Film Editing by: Tom Finan
Music by: Danny Elfman
MPAA Rating: PG for some mild action and brief rude humor.
Studio: DreamWorks Pictures
Release Date: March 7, 2014
Visits: 68
