Ray Gunn : Austin Film Festival

Growing up, whenever a teacher or some other adult asked me what I wanted to be when I got older, I usually had a couple of answers. One was a firefighter, just like my father. The other was a private detective, because after watching all those movies and TV shows, how could that not be the coolest job in the world? Unfortunately, I became neither, and my current job isn’t exactly the most exciting. But hey, I guess it’s never too late to live out your childhood dreams. Maybe Brad Bird wanted to be a private eye when he was a kid, too, because with his new film, Ray Gunn, he gets to live out that fantasy. And somehow, he makes the job look even cooler than I remember.

I don’t know if Ray Gunn (Sam Rockwell) always dreamed of becoming a private investigator, but after getting kicked off the police force, it’s the life he finds himself living. Now, he and his sidekick, Eye-Ra-Kadok (Tom Waits), take whatever jobs come their way, even if those jobs don’t always come with a paycheck. Ray’s luck seems to change when he’s hired by the fourth husband of pop superstar Venus Nova (Scarlett Johansson) to catch her cheating. But, as you might expect, there’s a lot more going on than meets the eye. Ray quickly senses something isn’t right, and soon Nova’s record label, run by Barry Vogel (Alan Tudyk), wants him to keep an eye on her because she has a habit of getting herself into trouble.

Of course, the trouble runs a lot deeper than Ray initially realizes, and before long, he’s caught up in the corruption and chaos surrounding Nova’s celebrity lifestyle. What follows is a wild ride filled with car chases, ray-gun shootouts, and some good old-fashioned detective work as Ray tries to untangle the complicated web that is Venus Nova’s life.

Written by Matthew Robbins and Brad Bird, with Bird also directing, Ray Gunn embraces everything that makes film noir so much fun, especially the sharp, snappy dialogue that practically defines the genre. But what really stands out is the world-building. It’s magnificent, filled with jetpacks, flying cars, and, of course, all the ray guns you could ever want. Every corner of this futuristic city feels alive, giving the movie a personality all its own. And what I especially appreciate is that Bird never talks down to his audience. This is smart, sophisticated animation that trusts viewers to keep up, even when the story gets a little complicated. There may be moments when you’re playing catch-up, but that’s part of the fun.

Ray Gunn is going to make longtime Brad Bird fans smile from ear to ear while introducing a whole new audience to what makes him such a remarkable filmmaker. The movie whisks you away to a world that somehow feels like yesterday and tomorrow at the same time, all wrapped up in gorgeous animation and a genuine love for classic film noir. There are so many little details that bring this world to life, but Michael Giacchino’s score deserves special attention. It has a lively, bouncy rhythm that captures the spirit of old-school noir without ever feeling dated.

Then there’s the voice cast, led by Rockwell and Johansson, who bring exactly the right amount of charm, attitude, and personality to their characters. Their performances help make this strange, colorful world feel completely believable. Bird also knows how to deliver the big moments, including a terrific elevator fight and a dazzling zero-gravity dance sequence, along with all the chases and shootouts you’d expect from a detective story with this much imagination.

You can feel the love that went into Ray Gunn. It practically oozes off the screen, making it impossible not to get caught up in the fun. The film feels refreshing, with some of the most impressive animation I’ve seen in years. And for all its visual spectacle, clever storytelling, and wonderfully detailed world, it never forgets the most important thing: to have a good time.

So when you see Ray Gunn, prepare to be wowed by the visuals, swept up in a good old-fashioned detective yarn, and reminded of just how much fun the movies can be. Brad Bird has delivered something special, and I had an absolute blast.

Brian Taylor

Member of the North Texas Film Critics Association, and lover of all things Cinema