- Amblimation was Spielberg's animated dream, but the animation studio faced setbacks like financial struggles and creative clashes.
- Despite its closure, Amblimation's legacy lives on in the careers it fostered and the films produced.
- Spielberg's foray into animation didn't end with Amblimation - he continued to influence the industry with DreamWorks Animation.
Steven Spielberg's career in the film industry is nothing short of legendary, except for his short-lived Amblimation animation studio. With a repertoire that spans various genres, Spielberg has established himself as one of the most influential and prolific filmmakers in the history of cinema. His visionary direction has brought to life iconic films that have captivated audiences worldwide, ranging from thrilling adventures like Jurassic Park to poignant dramas such as Schindler's List, both of which were even released in the same year. Spielberg's knack for storytelling is unparalleled.
In the midst of his cinematic triumphs, Spielberg ventured into the realm of animation with the creation of Amblimation, a lesser-known chapter in his illustrious career. This animation studio, although short-lived, embarked on a journey to bring animated tales to the screen with Spielberg's signature touch. Amblimation's story is one of ambition, creativity, and the challenges of leaving a mark in the competitive world of animated cinema. It's a testament to Spielberg's relentless pursuit of storytelling in all its forms, regardless of the medium.
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Animators and writers alike demonstrated their talents in 2023 with movies like Across the Spider-Verse, The Boy and the Heron, TMNT, and Nimona.What Was Amblimation?
It Was The Brainchild Of Steven Spielberg & Universal
Amblimation was born out of a partnership between Steven Spielberg and Universal Pictures, aiming to create a distinctive mark in the world of animated films. The studio's inception was partly influenced by Spielberg's creative differences with animator Don Bluth during the production of The Land Before Time. Spielberg forced Bluth to cut a number of shots from the animated movie deemed too scary for children (via MovieWeb), which led to Bluth forming his own production company and working with Disney.
Spielberg sought to forge a new path in animation, one that would encapsulate his cinematic vision and storytelling prowess. Amblimation was envisioned as a beacon of innovative animated storytelling, set apart by its ambitious projects and Spielberg's involvement. However, the shadow of creative differences with Don Bluth lingered, underscoring the challenges Amblimation would face in carving its niche. These initial hurdles set the stage for what would be a tumultuous journey for the studio, as it navigated the competitive and rapidly evolving landscape of animated cinema.
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Will Smith and Steven Spielberg have tried extremely hard to make a movie together, but for various reasons, not one of their projects has worked out.An American Tail: Fievel Goes West Was A Modest Success
But Still A Disappointment Compared To The First An American Tail
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991)
DirectorPhil Nibbelink, Simon Wells
Release DateNovember 22, 1991
CastCathy Cavadini, Nehemiah Persoff, Erica Yohn, Phillip Glasser, Dom DeLuise, James Stewart, Amy Irving, John Cleese
RatingG
Runtime75 Minutes
GenresFamily, Animation, Adventure
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West was Amblimation's debut feature, and it was met with a modest level of success. Garnering a total of $40 million at the box office against a production budget of $16.5 million (via Box Office Mojo), the film's financial success was tempered by substantial marketing costs. Ultimately, the net profit wouldn't have been much when accounting for marketing costs and the movie theaters' cuts. Being a sequel to the extremely successful An American Tail, on paper, Amblimation making its first movie An American Tail: Fievel Goes West was a safe bet.
Nevertheless, despite this lukewarm financial performance, Fievel Goes West is a great animated western with a cult following, beloved for its adventurous spirit. An American Tail: Fievel Goes West is a movie that, for many, encapsulates the essence of Amblimation and its contribution to the animation landscape. The film's journey from production to release was fraught with the challenges of living up to Spielberg's cinematic reputation, coupled with the inherent risks of launching a new animation studio. Yet, Fievel Goes West showcased Amblimation's potential to weave compelling narratives with captivating animation, setting the groundwork for the studio's future endeavors.
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video.
We’re Back! A Dinosaur's Story Was A Box Office Bomb
The Movie Failed To Capitalize On The Success Of Jurassic Park
We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story (1993)
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Following the modest success of Fievel Goes West, Amblimation released We’re Back! A Dinosaur's Story, hoping to capitalize on the dinosaur craze fueled by Jurassic Park, especially being released in the same year and being connected to Spielberg. Unfortunately, the film was a box office bomb, grossing a mere $9 million against a budget of $20 million (via Box Office Mojo). The attempt to leverage Spielberg's success with Jurassic Park fell flat, as We’re Back! A Dinosaur's Story failed to resonate with audiences and critics alike.
The movie's underperformance was a significant blow to Amblimation, highlighting the studio's struggle to find its footing in the competitive animation industry. We’re Back! A Dinosaur Story's failure was a harsh lesson in the unpredictable nature of film reception, demonstrating that even the involvement of a filmmaker as renowned as Spielberg couldn't guarantee success. Despite the beloved animated dinosaur Rex, the studio's ambition to ride the wave of dinosaur enthusiasm proved to be misguided, leading to one of its most notable setbacks.
Balto Had A Higher Budget Despite A Dinosaur's Story’s Failure (& It Still Bombed)
The Movie Couldn't Compete With Toy Story
Balto (1995)
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Undeterred by the failure of We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story, Amblimation proceeded with the production of the non-Disney animated movie Balto, investing $10 million more than the previous film's budget. Despite this increased investment, Balto struggled to make an impact at the box office, particularly against the groundbreaking Toy Story, which introduced audiences to the novel world of computer-animated films. Balto's traditional animation and story failed to capture the public's imagination in the same way, ultimately deeming it a financial disappointment with its $11 million gross (via Box Office Mojo) against its $31 million budget.
However, Balto managed to carve out a niche for itself, leading to two direct-to-video sequels despite its initial box office bomb status (albeit not from Amblimation). The film's resilience in finding an audience post-theatrical release speaks to the quality of its storytelling and the charm of its characters, even if it didn't achieve financial success in theaters. The decision to invest more heavily in Balto despite the recent failure highlights Amblimation's commitment to its projects and belief in the power of traditional animation, even as the industry began shifting towards computer-generated imagery.
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Disney's style has made it the biggest name in children's movies for decadesso much so that work from other studios often get a false Disney label.James Horner Was The Musical Heartbeat Of Amblimation
He Composed Every Amblimation Movie Score
James Horner's collaborations with Amblimation were instrumental in defining the studio's auditory aesthetic and emotional resonance. A renowned composer known for his ability to convey deep emotional narratives through music, Horner's work with Amblimation added a layer of depth and warmth to the studio's animated features. His scores for films like An American Tail: Fievel Goes West and We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story not only enriched the cinematic experience but also became integral to the identity of Amblimation's projects.
Horner's music for An American Tail: Fievel Goes West is particularly noteworthy for its ability to capture the essence of adventure, hope, and the pursuit of dreams, themes that are central to the film's narrative. His compositions provided a musical landscape that enhanced the emotional journey of the characters, making the film's story more compelling and memorable for audiences. In We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story, despite the film's box office struggles, Horner's score stood out for its imaginative and playful quality, perfectly complementing the film's adventurous spirit.
Amblimation Closed Down In 1997
But None Of The Employees Lost Their Jobs
The closure of Amblimation in 1997 marked the end of Spielberg's experiment. The studio's shutdown was the culmination of several box office disappointments, which made it unsustainable to continue operations. Despite the creative potential and the high-quality animation that Amblimation produced, the financial realities of the movie business proved to be an insurmountable challenge. However, the story of Amblimation didn't end in defeat; all 250 staff members found a new beginning at DreamWorks Animation (via NY Times), a testament to the talent and dedication of the team Spielberg had assembled.
| Movie | Budget | Box Office Gross |
|---|---|---|
| An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991) | $16.5 Million | $40.7 Million |
| We're Back: A Dinosaur Story (1993) | $20 Million | $9.3 Million |
| Balto (1995) | $31 Million | $11.3 Million |
The physical studio space of Amblimation, once buzzing with artists and animators, was transformed into a self-storage facility, symbolizing the transient nature of the film industry. Yet, the legacy of Amblimation lives on through the films it produced and the careers it helped to foster, serving as a reminder of Steven Spielberg's foray into the world of animation.
Steven Spielberg Still Produces Animated Movies In Some Capacity
He’s The Co-Founder Of Dreamworks Animation
Despite the closure of Amblimation, Steven Spielberg's involvement with animated movies did not end. As a co-founder of DreamWorks Animation, Spielberg continued to influence the animation industry, albeit in a more executive capacity. His role as an executive producer and board member allowed him to contribute to the strategic direction of the company, ensuring that storytelling remained at the heart of DreamWorks Animations' best projects.
Spielberg's legacy in animation is marked by a broad "executive producer" role, where his influence is felt more in the overarching vision and less in the day-to-day creative processes. Through DreamWorks Animation, Spielberg has continued to impact the animation industry, contributing to a new era of animated storytelling that blends innovative technology with captivating narratives.
Amblimation may have been a brief chapter in Steven Spielberg's storied career, but it represented his enduring passion for storytelling, regardless of the medium. Through both triumphs and challenges, Spielberg's venture into animation underscores his willingness to explore new territories in filmmaking, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
Sources: MovieWeb, Box Office Mojo, Box Office Mojo, Box Office Mojo, NY Times
