Animated films are at a distinct disadvantage in the world of entertainment, as they cannot rely solely upon acting performances to carry their emotional weight. It is more difficult to sell a joke without a facial expression to back it up. Similarly, it can be hard to understand when a character is feeling the pain of a particularly dour moment with a frown to match their internal strife. Of course, talented animators can make up for a lot of this. However, it’s also essential that an animated film have an incredible voice cast.
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, if nothing else, absolutely brings with it a world-class collection of voice talent.
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Every role, from the main characters to smaller side parts, was filled by an impressive actor. Some characters are voiced by competent, dramatic actors, while others are voiced by hilarious comedians. There is even an appearance from one of the biggest legends in Hollywood. Though the film has been met with mixed reviews, it is doubtful anyone can come up with a bad word to say about its cast.
Here’s why Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank has the perfect voice cast.
A Disparate Pair of Leading Men - Michael Cera and Samuel L. Jackson
The main character of Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank is a beagle named (as one might guess) Hank. The clumsy pupper is voiced by Michael Cera (Arrested Development, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World). When Hank is given the seemingly insurmountable task of becoming a samurai to protect his city, he turns to Jimbo, Samuel L. Jackson’s (Pulp Fiction, the MCU’s Nick Fury) retired samurai tuxedo cat.
It’s difficult to imagine any two actors that are more diametric opposites of one another than Michael Cera, whose characters are famously quiet and socially maladroit, and Samuel L. Jackson, who primarily portrays bold and boisterous individuals. Nevertheless, the two characters make an excellent team, and the chemistry between the two distinct actors is clear from the jump. Their differences are the genesis of a lot of drama in the film. Though Jackson’s Jimbo is initially a reluctant sensei, he is ultimately softened by the titular Hank’s humility.
A Pair of World-Class Comedic Talents, Gabriel Iglesias and Ricky Gervais
It isn’t just the main characters of Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank who is given voice by talented individuals. The film’s primary antagonist is a Somali Cat named Ika Chu. This bad kitty, a nefarious advisor to the city’s all-powerful shogun, is voiced by Ricky Gervais (The Office, Extras), an irreverent comedian with a penchant for producing classic television programming.
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Gervais isn’t the only comedian in the film. Gabriel Iglesias (Magic Mike, Space Jam: A New Legacy) voices a clumsy calico cat named Chuck. Iglesias is no stranger to voice acting. In fact, his standup comedy is heavily reliant upon impressions. Though Ricky Gervais and Gabriel Iglesias have very different comedic styles, they both turn in excellent performances in the film, utilizing the best facets of their comedic voices to create unique and interesting characters.
The Legendary Mel Brooks
20th Century Studios
Of course, in discussing the voice talent behind Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, one would be remiss not to bring up the film’s most legendary cast member, Mel Brooks (The Producers, Spaceballs). Brooks, who recently reached the impressive age of 96, has been a staple of the comedy film genre for over 50 years and has made so many classics that it would be nearly impossible to enumerate them here. In the film, Brooks gives voice to Toshi, a British shorthair cat that serves as the city’s shogun.
It’s easy to understand why the creators of Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank would choose to include Mel Brooks in the film. The movie is meant to be a loose adaptation of Blazing Saddles, an irreverent Western comedy flick that Brooks created in 1974. It’s fascinating to see a child-friendly animated martial arts movie be adapted from a famously politically incorrect Western comedy, especially given that Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank was released almost 50 years after Blazing Saddles. Hopefully, the legendary Mel Brooks was flattered by the homage, and his excellent performance in the film seems to suggest a certain passion for the project.
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank had what might be the greatest voice cast in recent history. The all-star cast comes together to deliver a powerful punch, and every single actor in the film absolutely kicks butt. Each actor in the film has a wildly different skill set, and the creatives behind this action-packed animated flick should be commended for finding the perfect voice for each character.
