Horse Julius and Big Horse Racing

In November 2018, there was an announcement that The Three Heroes series will have a new installment titled Horse Julius and Big Horse Racing.[1][2] The creators of the series intended the film to present a feature film on one of the public's most beloved characters, horse Julius.[3] The horse has been depicted as a sarcastic but faithful bay horse with a red mane. The horse's Homeric funny lines are famous throughout the series. Julius' catchphrase "Don't make me laugh..." was part of a contest at the radio station Humor FM (Юмор FM).[4] In 2018, Smotrim collected the top ten jokes of Horse Julius.[5] Horse Julius formerly known as Gaius Julius Caesar, is developed as a paradox character who is a bibliophile at the library but at the same time acts in a confused or ineffectual way.[6]

The script written by the Sveshnikovs as well Alexander Boyarsky developed the characteristic of Julius and in general the comedy of the series into a spin-off type film.[7][8] The theme of developing one's innate abilities and talents is described in the film through the bumbling character Julius who despite flaws can manage to find friends and allies while at the same time execute ambitious plans as seen in the finale international horse race competition.[6][9]

The film is the tenth cartoon in the cycle of The Three Heroes.[10] Darina Schmidt, who was previously worked for such films as Luntik and Smeshariki became the director of the film.[11] Konstantin Feoktistov who has previously worked for the film Three Heroes and the Princess of Egypt also was director, with the film becoming his fifth work on the franchise.[4]

In March 2018, Sergey Selyanov presented the film to the Cinema Foundation.[12][13] Leading up to the holiday season of 2020, cinema chains KARO and Kinomax allied in a strategic joint advertising merger that will bolster the Russian film industry. As the most dynamic and number one cinema market in Europe in terms of attendance in 2020, despite the difficulties, the Russian film industry will see a host of films as it enters the fourth quarter including Horse Julius and Big Horse Racing.[14] The film as part of the New Year releases heralded a new record in Russian film industry. The share of Russian cinema reached 50% compared to last year.[15] The film was designated as a national film approved for distribution in the fourth quarter of 2020.[16] Sony Pictures signed a production pact with Sergey Selyanov's STV Film Company. The partnership is intended to benefit both companies as Sony Pictures will be able to branch out its portfolio while STV Film Company will be able to increase its presence in the national film market. The association's first set of films to be released by the end of the year are animated films Barkers: Mind the Cats! and Horse Julius and Big Horse Racing.[17]

Film producer Alexander Boyarsky, states the film is "A fun, good New Year's picture, a funny character, we love him, we hope that the audience also loves him. And the story of his matchmaking formed the basis of the film, around it, in general, everything revolves around the idea."[18] The film is catered to the family audience with emphasis on a festive mood.[6] The film was one of the anticipated releases of the New Year.[19] Voice actor Sergey Burunov states, "This is the first sultan in my life. He's kind, he's cunning, he's rich, he's smart. It wasn't me. In the story, our horse Julius fell in love. This time it is serious. He asks for the hooves of the royal mare Star of the East from Sultan Rashid, that is, from me. The love of the horse is strong, but whether the sultan will give up his main treasure is a big question."[6]

Intermedia noted "Horse Julius and Big Horse Racing is a spin-off of the mega-popular animated series about Three Heroes, which has not lost ground for 16 years." The film was "shot with a fair amount of humor, ingenuity and excitement."[20] Kino Mail states, the style of the film is still the same: "The film will be of interest primarily to loyal fans of the franchise — as before, it is a comedy adventure film for young children and family viewing with them. Stylistically, it has not changed in any way, and fans of the series will be pleased with all the same bright colors, cartoon images of heroes, dynamic editing and cheerful music."[21]

KinoAfisha states the eponymous horse Julius, "first appeared on screens in 2004, the character waited 16 years to get a solo album." The review stated, the film can be watched separately from the series because it is a spin-off movie and is the "story is more for big fans of the franchise about the Three Heroes."[22] Tlum review thought the film unearthed the qualities of comedy from horse Julius to the fullest, "It is about him for this cartoon, so that fans can enjoy their favorite character to the fullest, because the freaks that he loves to arrange, and his recognizable jokes here are ten times more." The Russian folk song soundtrack is also "filled with really bright and clingy songs."[9]