First trailer for Mr. Peabody and Sherman is like a kiddie Bill and Ted

So, there’s a new animated flick from Dreamworks called MR. PEABODY AND SHERMAN, based on the characters from Rocky and Bullwinkle, which stars the voices of Ty Burrell, Max Charles, Ariel Winter, Allison Janney, Stephen Colbert, Leslie Mann, Stanley Tucci, Patrick Warburton, Lake Bell, Zach Callison, Dennis Haysbert. Although the animation looks clean and crisp, the trailer is kind of limp and doesn’t really offer anything beyond the usual beats, but if you’re a fan of the characters then perhaps this will speak to you. Or, if you’re a parent, you’ll likely be dragged to it. Kicking and screaming. Like the kid you’re supposed to be taking.

Here it is:

Here’s the synopsis:

Mr. Peabody, the most accomplished dog in the world, and his mischievous boy Sherman, use their time machine – The Wabac – to go on the most outrageous adventures known to man or dog. But when Sherman takes The Wabac out for a joyride to impress his friend Penny, they accidently rip a hole in the universe, wreaking havoc on the most important events in world history.  Before they forever alter the past, present and future, Mr. Peabody must come to their rescue, ultimately facing the most daunting challenge of any era:  figuring out how to be a parent. Together, the time traveling trio will make their  mark on history.

I get a kiddie version of Bill & Ted from this, minus the laughs and awesome characters. Let’s be honest, it looks painful. Maybe it’s just the content of the trailer, I don’t know. However, I will say that I was surprised by THE CROODS earlier this year. I was ready to hate it, but ended up really liking it, so perhaps this will work out like that. If not, then I’ll just add it to my ongoing list of “You Owe Me” that I keep to show my kid when he’s older.

MR. PEABODY AND SHERMAN hits on March 7, 2014.