Animation Source Forums

Its not that Bacon was the first that I prefer him.

Not a problem Chief. Er... Captain. Warrant Officer? I'd address you as "Sir" regardless, salute rendered.

I try to avoid posting things without rationale. It's simply irrational to do so otherwise.

Again, a lot of this conjecture is based on what one defines as "better". So, I don't necessarily think anyone is WRONG in their opinions, but I would love see a well thought out explanation to accompany it instead of "Knevi Bacon is better cuz he was the OG, and Bacon tastes better than LeMarche lolololol)

Don't forget, nostalgia can also be a very powerful motivator. I don't know that anyone follows it, but the video games Silent Hill 2 and 3 are being reworked in HD later this year, including updated voice work.

The voice work in the original (speaking for 2, never played 3) was pretty terrible honestly, but there a ton of fans up in arms about the notion that anyone DARE touch "the originals." Haven't even heard the new ones yet, and already crying foul. Same thing with the upcoming stealth actioner "Hitman Absolution". The protagonist barely said anything anyways, but everyone is already going crazy saying the game is going to fail because of the casting swap.

A bit of an unfair jab at the newcomers, and I don't think that LeMarche was given proper credit for his performance.

Of course, some might think that Kevin Bacon did a better job. You know what? They are right too. It's all a matter of opinion.

"To say the least, if not less." (Thank you Curly Howard. )


You mean like most of the scatterbrained posts on the first two-and-a-half or so pages of this topic?


That, my dear HMXTaylorLee, is a foregone conclusion, and very, very painfully true. And how foolish the notion that just because someone comes along and voices a character in a sequel, that he or she cannot possibly do better than the original (my personal opinions about Charles Fleischer's portrayal of Boris notwithstanding XD).

The sarcasm is positively dripping, I'm in my element here. I thought Boris' voice in the sequels was pretty awful too. It was like... a parody of a parody.

Semi-related, but somewhat related. There's a similar thread on the "All Dogs" source asking whose voice we preferred as rascally rogue Charlie B Barkin. I think that I was the ONLY person who preferred Steven Weber's enthusiastic delivery over Sheen's or Reynolds.

If it is deserved...lol. I mean, it's not sarcasm for sarcasm's sake. But most of the posts in the first few pages of this topic fall exactly into that same situation you mentioned earlier. There's no analysis of the vocal differences or similarities, and few (if any) intelligent explanations for whom these members prefer. It mostly comes down to "hey, you can't replace the guy who did him first! He was da best!" And you know what I say to that? " "


Well let's not underestimate the talent of Charles Fleischer. He's an excellent voice actor, and his work in Who Framed Roger Rabbit was absolutely amazing. And perfect for that character. But he botched Boris big time. Especially in Balto 2. Not so much in Balto 3, even if it was still very different from Bob Hoskins' portrayal of the character in the first movie. Hoskins is one of those great character actors who simply is an expert at various kinds of accents...being British, he's still able to pull off a perfect Russian accent (as evidenced by his portrayal of Boris), and a perfect American Bronx accent (as evidenced by his flawless portrayal of Eddie Valiant in Who Framed Roger Rabbit). And that's amazing! And some actors are just that versatile. Bacon? While a great actor, is hardly comparable with Hoskins...and neither with Maurice LaMarche.

I wonder what the movies would be like if Hoskins reprised his role.

Balto 3 would be about 40 percent better, considering Boris had about 40 percent of the screentime in the film.

I noticed that link between "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" as well. Pretty funny how two different actors from the same film ended up playing the same character in a different series of films almost 15 years later!

Taking Stella out would help immensely even though Jean Smart matched her character well.

I've noted that in the past. Interesting bit of trivia, isn't it?

Off-topic here, but you want to know another interesting connection? The guy who voiced the telegraph operator in the first Balto movie, Garrick Hagon, also played "Biggs Darklighter", Luke Skywalker's friend and fellow X-wing pilot, in the first Star Wars movie (Episode 4). In Balto 2, Mark Hamill voiced Niju. And we all know whom he played in the first three Star Wars movies (episodes 4-6), right?


That's a matter of opinion, and rather off-topic overall. It goes beyond the scope of the discussion about the Boris character and the voice artist.

EDIT:


Why, oh why, am I getting the strangest, sneakiest feeling of déjà vu? Something tells me you and I have been around this particular arena before.

Ouch. Could we be a little less harsh please, JC? I know it's kinda silly to like Bacon better because some may prefer
the original movie, but truth is, I still like Kevin Bacon best. I don't know why, and I can't explain or help that. A'right?


And I thought that I couldn't be any more surprised to hear what other voice acting gigs he has had more than when I heard he voiced the Joker, until this moment. Lol are you serious? (puuuuun)

I kneeeeew this was going to happen. I did say "most of", Roi. Not "every single one of". Sheeeeeeesh.

However, most of them are rather "scatterbrained". And you'd be crazy to argue that point. XD


Serious? Like, totally. ROFL

Kevin Bacon, hands down. Its a shame they could not get him to return for the sequels.

Still not very nice, JC. Just asking you to be considerate please.


I could go on with this, but it'd be off topic.

I'm sorry, but the way I see it, that wasn't rude. It was just an observation. I didn't say anything disparaging about any single person. And I am not going to apologize for my characterization of the general nature of the large majority of the posts on that page. And I am going to leave it at that. It was an opinion. Not an attack.


You asked, I replied. If you want to leave it go, so be it.

I feel partially responsible.

I kinda sorta poured fuel on the fire with my exaggerations and hyperbole.

I apologize to anyone I might have offended with that poorly worded and deliberately satirical comment about Kevni Bacon, Baconaters, and the like.

No one is wrong in their opinion of who they like better, because it's an opinion. I already said my piece, even if it was a bit ambiguous.