Sidekick: The Movie

Sidekick: The Movie is a 2014 Canadian animated action-comedy film produced by Nelvana and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, based on the Canadian animated television series Sidekick created by Todd Kauffman and Joey So.

The film was directed by Todd Kauffman from a screenplay by Tom McGillis, written by Patrick McKenna, and stars the voices of Miklos Perlus as Eric Needles, Christian Potenza as Trevor Troublemeyer, Stephanie Anne Mills as Vana Glama, Denise Oliver as Kitty Ko, Tony Daniels as Maxum Brain, Ron Pardo as Maxum Man, Scott McCord as Mr. Martin Troublemeyer/Master XOX, and Patrick McKenna as Professor Pamplemoose. In the film, after being accidentally responsible for the disappearance of Maxum Man, Eric Needles and his friends must find and save him before it's too late.

The film was released in theatres on August 8, 2014.

The film received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $102 million worldwide on a $10 million budget.

Plot:
The film begins with a brief history of how Eric Needles became Maxum Man's sidekick. One day, while Eric and Trevor are playing around in the city, they accidentally cause a massive blackout that plunges the city into darkness. As the two friends try to escape the scene, they are captured by Master XOX and his henchmen.

Meanwhile, at the Sidekick Academy, Eric's friends Kitty and Vana are trying to help him study for his final exam, but he is too distracted thinking about his date with Vana to pay attention. When Eric finally arrives for his test, he finds out that he has failed. Professor Pamplemoose tells him that he will have to repeat the entire year if he doesn't pass his make-up exam.

As Eric leaves the academy, he is confronted by Master XOX, who reveals that he was responsible for the blackout. He demands that Eric tell him where Maxum Man is, but Eric has no idea. Master XOX then kidnaps Trevor and threatens to kill him unless Eric tells him what he wants to know.

Eric races to the rescue, but when he confronts Master XOX, he discovers that Trevor has been brainwashed and is now working for him. Using Trevor as a hostage, Master XOX forces Eric to take him to Maxum Man's hideout. When they arrive, they find that Maxum Man is nowhere to be found.

It is then revealed that Maxum Man has been kidnapped by aliens and is being held captive on their ship. Master XOX plans to use him as a bargaining chip to take over the world.

Eric and Trevor manage to rescue Maxum Man, but not before Trevor is seriously injured. As they make their escape, the aliens explode their ship, killing themselves and Master XOX in the process.

With the threat of Master XOX gone, Eric and Trevor return to the Sidekick Academy, where they discover that they have both passed their exams. As they prepare to graduate, they receive one last piece of advice from Professor Pamplemoose: "Sidekicks always stand by their heroes, no matter what."

Cast:
Miklos Perlus as Eric Needles

Christian Potenza as Trevor Troublemeyer

Stephanie Anne Mills as Vana Glama

Denise Oliver as Kitty Ko

Tony Daniels as Maxum Brain

Ron Pardo as Maxum Man

Scott McCord as Mr. Martin Troublemeyer/Master XOX

Patrick McKenna as Professor Pamplemoose

Production:
In 2012, it was announced that Nelvana was developing a feature-length film based on the Canadian animated television series Sidekick, created by Todd Kauffman and Joey So. The film was originally set to be released in 2013, but it was later pushed back to 2014.

On March 21, 2013, it was announced that Todd Kauffman would be directing the film from a screenplay by Tom McGillis, with Patrick McKenna writing the story. It was also announced that the film would star the voices of Miklos Perlus, Christian Potenza, Stephanie Anne Mills, Denise Oliver, Tony Daniels, Ron Pardo, Scott McCord, and Patrick McKenna.

On June 17, 2013, it was reported that Warner Bros. Pictures had acquired the distribution rights to the film.

Animation:
The film's animation was provided by Toon Boom Animation and Top Draw Animation.

Release:
Sidekick: The Movie was originally scheduled to be released in 2013, but it was later pushed back to August 8, 2014.

The film was screened at the 2014 Annecy International Animated Film Festival on June 10, 2014.

Home media:
Sidekick: The Movie was released on DVD and Blu-ray on November 4, 2014.

Critical response:
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 100% based on 5 reviews, with an average rating of 7.5/10.

Box office:
Sidekick: The Movie grossed $3 million in North America and $6 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $9 million, against a budget of $30 million.

Accolades:
In 2015, the film won the Golden Screen Award for Best Animated Feature Film at the 31st Golden Screen Awards.

Legacy:
In 2019, Nelvana announced that they were developing a reboot of the Sidekick television series. The series is set to premiere in 2020.

Categories:
2014 films

2010s animated films

Canadian films

English-language films

Animated comedy films

Action comedy films

Superhero comedy films

Superhero films based on television series

Fictional sidekicks

Alien abductions in films

Sequel films

Toon Boom Animation

Top Draw Animation

Warner Bros. films

YTV (TV channel) shows