CircleCity: Civil War

CircleCity: Civil War is a 2016 adult animated action comedy political satire musical film based off of the CircleCity television series. It is a stand-alone sequel to 2004's CircleCity Worldwide, as well as the second film based on the television series. The film stars the regular television cast consisting of Nolan North, Rob Paulsen, Vicki Lewis, Dee Bradley Baker, Wayne Knight, Nicole Sullivan & Curtis Armstrong. They are joined by Bryan Cranston and Seth Rogen, portraying new characters President John F. Freedom and Vice President Seth Rogen, respectively.

The film follows series protagonists Lloyd Donovan and Benny O'Riley and their attempts to restore the country after its separation results in a civil war for political power. The film provides commentary on the political and social issues that are affecting America as of late, particularly lampooning how American society overall functions and behaves - and is thematically a companion piece to the first film and its messages. It also acts as a parody of war films and post-apocalyptic media, particularly the Mad Max franchise.

The film was released on June 3, 2016, and received positive reviews from critics, with critics praising it's voice cast, themes & musical numbers. It grossed $130 million worldwide on a budget of $35 million.

Premise
Newly-elected President John F. Freedom (Bryan Cranston) enacts a system that he believes will solve all of the hardship, conflict and crime currently plaguing America: the separation of the country based upon political alignments. A nation that can "truly be free" to express their beliefs and rights - a country catered specifically to the people's individuality. The system is a surprising success and the newly named Detached States of Freedom is now the world's most model and reformed country. However, this soon changes when Freedom, after closing all borders and airways into the country, announces his sudden plan to thrust the country into a forced civil war - the political alignment that proves to survive will be selected as the de facto ideal that the new country will follow - whilst the remaining, if not already dead, will be eradicated. Facing nuclear threat if the country chooses not to participate, the denizens of the Detached States soon find themselves killing eachother for their own American utopia - Lloyd Donovan (Nolan North), who has all but given up on America and doesn't care about what happens to it, soon finds himself begrudgingly helping Benny (Rob Paulsen) in stopping the war at all costs before a new America rises from the ashes.

Plot
Presidential candidate John F. Freedom, representing his own "Freedom" party, is occupied inside of his private jet, preparing himself for the upcoming debate against his opponent, Shaquille O'Neal. As he exits, he brushes off the news reporters and journalists waiting outside, boldly entering the conference center. The debate soon begins, with Freedom's popularity and charisma clearly having an effect on the attention of the viewers and organizers. After swiftly responding to a number of questions, he soon finds himself stumped by the next one in line: "have you heard about the recent riots in CircleCity?"

Around the same time in CircleCity, Lloyd Donovan awakens and heads straight to work - passing through the violent riots as if it were an everyday occurrence. America had always considered the large metropolis as a melting pot of the worst aspects of their society, but lately it has reached a much more notorious image, which has caused it to be the talk of the nation - with everyone looking to the perspectives of the candidates as the definitive ultimatum to whoever they were going to choose to vote for. Entering his latest dead-end job as security work at city hall, Lloyd, who refuses to "acknowledge" politics and is annoyed about how much he has to endure it, laments at how nothing will change this country for the better as he is flooded with conversations about the election and riot by his friends; all of whom have a completely different perspective about each. Lloyd persists the fact that he doesn't care. ("Mr. Bleak Sky")

Now sitting aboard his private jet, Freedom continuously replays footage of his stumbles regarding the riot. He is encouraged by his running mate, Canadian comedian and politician Seth Rogen,to dig deeper into the situation and conjure a solution that will ensure his victory. Noting that the participants of the riot are of several different ideologies and all on several opposing sides of the conflict, Freedom laments on how this extravagant conflict is no different from any other, and expresses his opinion that America cannot work without everyone being on the same perspective. He harks back to a conflict between his own parents, who were both on opposite ends of the political spectrum and later killed eachother over their viewpoints. This leads to an ambitious epiphany that Freedom believes will win him the hearts of all Americans: catering to their need for validation about their many viewpoints by separating the entire country into small micro-nations; each of their own ideology, an act of "true freedom" to be your individual American. Freedom alerts the plane pilot to take a detour to CircleCity, where he plans to make a surprise speech that will gain him national attention. Freedom and Rogen perform a song and dance number about their plan after gaining the attention of news outlets and CircleCity's citizens (still rioting), all of whom praise his plot, as does all of America soon enough ("God Bless Freedom"). Even Lloyd appears to have high hopes for this equal segregation, however, most of his friends (specifically Benny) are not in agreement; lamenting how everyone will separated from each other, which Lloyd pretends not to care about "for the sake of his country". After a landslide election, Freedom is now President and immediately begins the process. Before they are separated, Lloyd and Benny have a heated argument over whether or not this is the right thing for the country, which ultimately ends with both of them holding sour opinions over one another. Lloyd, now remembering how he has remained distinctly apolitical, is ironically sent to the "lesser" of the micronations; a small island off the coast of Florida dubbed "The Isle of Idlers"; where support concerning everything is of the bare minimum.

Six months has passed and most of America is happy and comfortable in their new micronations to the point where they break out into song every single day about their new meaningful lives now that their beliefs have been fulfilled ("Fulfillment!"). Inside the White House, Freedom gazes upon his glorious new nation and feels accomplished with himself; having been able to eliminate the very idea of conflict that killed both of his parents. After a celebratory bachelor party with Rogen, Freedom is surprised to find protesters challenging their new way of life; and even internal conflict within the safely confined micronations. He begins having flashbacks to himself attempting to stop his parent's constant fighting to no avail, which in turn causes something inside Freedom to snap. The idea of conflict has not been eliminated; and there is no possible way it can be done. But this sparks an idea within Freedom; a plan much more sinister. After America's citizens begin noticing that the borders and airways into the country have been closed, Freedom makes a surprise announcement on live television. After cursing all of America for still finding ways to create conflict, Freedom acknowledges that even separating everyone into groups that think and feel the exact same way will not stop it from happening, and in turn, is not "true freedom". To compensate, he retracts the separation and announces his intention to enforce "the ultimate freedom" - purging the country into a war against each other for their way of thinking; their ideology. Those who win will change the fate of the nation: transforming the country into one again, under that ideology. Under a time limit of a year or they will face nuclear consequences, America breaks out their worst and begin the enforced war. ("U Or Dystopia")

Another six months later, the country has devolved into post-apocalyptic savagery under the war; basic necessities have become scarce, everyone has donned punk leather outfits and are focused on destroying all who oppose them. Lloyd, alongside the other Idlers, have not participated in the war for obvious reasons; and so far none have been able to deduct their location. All except Benny, sporting an eyepatch and missing several of his organs, who shows up to reconcile with Lloyd. Benny has devised a plan to stop Freedom and save the country from his enforced war; gathering the micronations together and convincing them to band together. However, Loyd continues to persist the idea that he doesn't care, and argues that he now has more of a right to not care than ever before; everyone has become hellbent on getting their own piece of utopia back that unity doesn't matter anymore ("Convincing Duet"). Lloyd is ultimately forced to tag along, however, when Freedom's henchmen army - the League of Pretentious Gentlemen (lead by Fat Bob) - find them and begin wiping out those living on the island. Lloyd and Benny escape and set a course for New York; where the Communists are located. Lloyd and Benny severely underestimate how much everyone had changed since the war, however, as Madison, once their trusted friend, is hostile at their arrival and refuses to participate in their plan, having machinations of their own. Benny's attempts to contact others fail as all they do is sing about winning the war, and the duo decide to hide out in what was formerly CircleCity, taking refuge in their (somehow still operating) apartment complex. Benny laments that his plan was a failure, while Lloyd scolds him for having faith in it, and argues that this whole war is happening because people take their beliefs too seriously. Benny snaps back by retorting that it's better to take a stand and believe in something rather than stingily standing by and having nothing to stand on and acting like you're better than everyone else because of it. Agreeing to disagree, the two are interrupted by a special message being sent out by Freedom. Having dealt with most of the smaller, lesser ideologies, Freedom announces that the remaining "big boys" will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to win the war for themselves and change America as they know it. In a week's time, everyone is urged to gather to the Freedome, where Freedom is setting preparations for a final showdown between all the remaining ideologies/a royal wedding between him and the Statue of Liberty. ("Royal Freedom")

Lloyd, completely willing to let this happen, relaxes on the couch and awaits to see whatever "beliefs" he'll be forced to follow, snarkily alluding back to what Benny said. Benny, finally putting his foot tells, tells Lloyd that he needs to take responsibility for his nation, and that when the sun rises, they're going out to put a stop to the war. Meanwhile, the several other ideologies continue to sing about their merriment over killing for power, though begin to wonder the weight of their condition. ("Triumphant, Slightly Remorseful Reprise of Fulfillment! Within A New Context of The Story At Hand")

At the Freedome, Rogen confronts Freedom about his actions; and his general concern for his well-being. Freedom insists he's fine and that there's nothing to worry about, before stabbing himself in the leg for fun. He explains that this is a necessity for America, and perhaps even the world; our differences will kill our potential for unity, so with everyone under ideology, all of the world's hardships will fade away. Rogen, exasperated, explains that the whole point of separating everybody under their ideology was that it would do the exact same thing that he's doing now, without all the bloodshed and death. Freedom simply states "being jailed for who you are is no way to live". Rogen once again attempts to argue with his statement, as nobody was jailed and everyone was catered to, but he stops himself.

On the road, Lloyd and Benny make their approximately 725 mile drive to the Freedome. Just as quickly as they depart, they catch the attention of several of their once friends as they begin attacking their upgraded Hummer. Now stranded, they take refuge when Nancy and her hedonistic people take them under their wing and heal them at their Pleasure Paradise. Nancy expresses interest in their plan, and Benny finds common ground with their obsession with pleasure and consumption. Lloyd finds the place suspicious, and urges Benny not to fall for their peaceful, horny ways and to do it on their own. When they are urged to participate in an orgy that has lasted 6 months, Lloyd and Benny make a break for it and steal a weaponized vehicle powerful enough to get inside the Freedome and directly confront Freedom. Lloyd is especially hurt by Nancy's actions; willing to entrap him with pleasure to get what she wanted, whilst Benny argues that their actions against them (stealing their weapon) is no different, which is all the more reason to stop the war and restore their flawed unity. Nancy and the hedonists give chase, however, and stop them in their tracks.

[buncha second act nonsense that i have writers block for]

Cast

 * as Lloyd, the protagonist of the television series. During the initial separation, because of his refusal to pick a political side, he is booted to an isolated piece of land in Florida where nothing is kept in check and everyone has "given up" on everything. He is later forced to help Benny with his own plan after the League of Pretentious Gentlemen target his home.
 * as Benny, Lloyd's optimistic roommate. During the war, he attempts to kick start a rebellion to end Freedom's enforced war after the League of Pretentious Gentlemen attacked his nation of Consumerists.
 * as President John F. Freedom. He wins the heart of America with an act that will separate the nation and ensure that everyone's own beliefs will be represented in their countries, but later enforces a war upon them as his sanity slowly deteriorates.
 * as Vice President Seth Rogen
 * as Madison, Lloyd and Benny's immigrant neighbor. During the war, she reverts to her Russian roots and leads a nation of communists in New York, attempting to stay out of the war and distance themselves from America as much as possible.
 * as Moe, Lloyd's frequent rival. During the war, he has turned to his Catholic beliefs to seek out a solution to the war. Naturally, he becomes convinced that he is a vessel for God to finally "correct" America, determined to shove his belief's down everyone's throat - by killing them. He steals the organs of those he kills and replaces his own body parts with alternatives in an attempt to make himself as god-like as possible.
 * as Fat Bob, CircleCity's notorious crime boss. During the war, he leads President Freedom's personal army; The League of Pretentious Gentlemen, whom annihilate weaker nations in order to end the war quicker.
 * as Nancy. During the war, she gives into the pursuit of hedonism and hippie culture.
 * as Dustin. During the war, his supremacist nature reaches its breaking point as he becomes even more deranged and loony. He is a part of the Anarchists, who believe that any sort of government control is an "outdated" way of thinking and that the war is what the new America should forever be.
 * as Mayor Royam
 * as Mr. Tang
 * Dab-mcgee as Clyde and Leonard
 * as Annabelle Swanson-O'Riley & Terry Swanson-O'Riley
 * as Dr. Hurt
 * as Senator Shaquille O'Neal
 * as himself
 * as himself
 * Richard Cheese as himself

Production
Following the release of CircleCity Worldwide, any plans that could have been developed about a potential sequel film were quickly brushed aside when the show itself was abruptly canceled, despite the film's box office success. When the show was eventually revived on Vision in 2012, Dab-mcgee commented on what the crew had planned for the future, and gave light to the possibility of a sequel film if the show is proven to be very successful for the channel. More and more details about the potential film were dropped throughout the next year, including plot details and general ideas - as well as a full script ready - but they still insisted that the film being made would have to rely on the success of the show and the willingness of a distributor.

Thanks to strong ratings and fan interest, Vision announced their plans for a theatrically-released CircleCity film in June 2014, to be distributed by Warner Bros Pictures. That July, Warner Bros announced the film's full title - CircleCity: Civil War - and a release date of June 3, 2016.

Animation
In a deviation from its regular animation style, Civil War features highly-detailed and realistic backgrounds to intentionally contrast with the simplistic designs of the actual characters and the flatness of traditional animation the film and show utilize. Backgrounds and scenery were created and developed by Australian-based Animal Logic, whilst character animation and initial storyboards were handled by Typewriter Productions West.

Writing
Regular show writers Dab-mcgee, Aidan McCabe and Ralf Hat turned to Worldwide's exploration of America's political climate as the basis for Civil War. As they felt Worldwide explored a very specific political issue of its time, they wanted to explore issues that have been a part of American society for several years and chose to have the film's core themes center around the divided nature of American society, as well as Americans and their relationship with their political beliefs.

Marketing
The first trailer for the film was released on November 17, 2015, followed by a second trailer released on March 4, 2016.

From November 2015 to April 2016, many viral clips were uploaded to the film's official website. These clips, which parody many presidential ad campaigns, feature celebrities and characters from the show voicing their support for John F. Freedom and his plan to separate the country.

Soundtrack
A soundtrack containing the film's score (composed by Lorne Balfe) was released on May 27, 2016.

Release & reception
The film had it's world premiere showing at the Oriental Theatre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on May 27, 2016.

Box Office
CircleCity: Civil War grossed $90.3 million in the United States and Canada and $40.3 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $130.6 million. Pre-release tracking suggested that the film would open in the $15-18 million range on it's opening weekend. However, the film grossed $12.8 million on it's opening day, beating studio expectations and opening at #1 at the box office. It dropped to second place for the overall weekend with an overall gross of $31.9 million The film dropped to the #4 spot on it's second weekend and grossed $15 million, a 53% decline. The film's surprising success has been attributed to the then-oncoming 2016 election of the time further heightening political interest in America, as well as the lack of theatrically released R-rated animation in the years before the film's release.

Critical Reception
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 80%, based on 119 reviews, and an average rating of 6.7/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "CircleCity: Civil War mostly lives up to its own brand of satirical, musical and unsubtle ambitions, even if those elements are at war with themselves" On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 65 out of 100, based on 35 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale, lower than the B+ of its predecessor.

Home media
CircleCity: Civil War was released on Digital HD on October 11, 2016, and on DVD, Bluray and Ultraviolet on October 25, 2016. Vision aired the film during it's Sundown block on February 3, 2018 at 8pm, with a rating of TV-MA LSV.