Executive Summary
SZA has released "Save the Day," the lead track for the upcoming Pixar film Hoppers. The movie features a voice cast including Meryl Streep and Jon Hamm. It arrives in theaters on March 6. Directors Daniel Chong and Nicole Grindle recruited SZA after her previous hits served as the temporary score during production. I think the collaboration represents a win for the studio and the artist."SZA dominates the airwaves this Friday morning. I saw the stream counts on Spotify surge at dawn. Radio stations broadcast "Save the Day" in every major city. The lyrics explore the connection between biology and circuitry. The melody mirrors the hum of a processor. But the words focus on the soul.
Daniel Chong finished the edit last month. He integrated the song into a sequence with a robot beaver. I think the choice of a robot protagonist invites a fresh perspective on nature. SZA wrote the chorus after a tour of the animation department. She viewed sketches of the forest. And she captured the essence of the machine. The song replaced the temporary tracks from her previous albums.
Meryl Streep provides a voice for a scientist. Jon Hamm plays a leader. Dave Franco joined the production as a technician. Kathy Najimy has a role. Sam Richardson provides the humor through a lemur. The plot involves a girl who moves her mind into a beaver. She solves a mystery in the woods. I noticed the detail in the fur during the trailer. This cast brings a range of experience to the recording booth.
Red carpet events begin in Los Angeles next week. Disney+ will debut a documentary about the score on March 1. I predict the merchandise for the animals will sell out. Collectors already monitor the internet for vinyl pressings of the soundtrack. The film arrives in theaters on March 6. The data suggests a high box office return for the spring season.
Pixar often employs pop stars to bridge the gap between cinema and radio. Billie Eilish wrote for Turning Red. SZA brings a new audience to the theater. Her work on Black Panther proved her skill in the industry. Engineers from MIT consulted on the character designs for the robots. The movement of the animals displays grace. I think the collaboration represents a win for the studio and the artist.
Share your thoughts with us
How does the music of SZA influence your interest in this film?
If you could transfer your mind into any animal, which species would you choose?
Does the presence of Meryl Streep change your expectations for an animated movie?
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