Ray Gunn Review: Brad Bird's Noir Science Fiction Film Is a Win for Netflix

I loved Ray Gunn, the new Netflix animated film from the legendary animation director Brad Bird. It's one of my favorites of the year for sure. It's a win for Netflix animation, a win for Brad Bird and a win for the cast.

After I saw the movie, I had the opportunity to talk to Brad Bird, and the first thing I said about it was that "it is just like the definition of like what a cool movie is."

Ray Gunn mixes film noir with retro science fiction

Bird takes the style of film noir and retro science fiction and combines them into one world. It's like The Maltese Falcon meets Blade Runner, with that old school Humphrey Bogart feel. Ray Gunn, voiced by Sam Rockwell, is a detective who's down on his luck. Scarlett Johansson plays the lead actress with a Lauren Bacall type feel.

The movie plays on something you've seen before. Here it's aliens who aren't allowed in certain bars and aren't accepted in certain ways. Ray Gunn has an alien partner, and the two of them are investigating something that's going down.

A risky animated film aimed at adults

It's funny, and it's aimed at adults, which I really enjoyed. I think it's bold, and it's risky. Brad Bird is always a guy who wants to take the next step, and he's been adamant that animation is literally for everyone. You can tell when you see this film. It's just different.

Sometimes a trailer looks great and then you realize they just edited in the best parts. That isn't the case here. There are so many parts of this movie that aren't in the trailer, and on screen it's beautiful. If you can catch it in the theater, you absolutely should. It's also going to be a lot of fun to watch at home with some popcorn on Netflix.

Tom Waits and Alan Tudyk stand out in the Ray Gunn cast

Alan Tudyk is in it, and he's "animation voiceover magic." He's in the majority of these movies, and you know you're going to wind up getting something magical. You do again with him here.

Tom Waits plays the alien partner, and he's amazing in this. Our buddy Jamie Costa also makes an appearance. There are so many talented people in this movie.

Have you seen Ray Gunn yet, and how does it compare with Brad Bird's other films for you?