I have always had a soft spot when it comes to animated films. While many of my cohorts will simply skip the genre when such movies come funneling into town, I find myself sneaking away by my lonesome to catch a matinee. Animation thrills me in a way that live action just is unable to do. I am not one for overly fantasy based live action films, because I have a hard time relating to the characters and I dislike the fact that they are trying to make the impossible believable. But when it comes to animation, I am able to put those feelings aside. I am able to become a child once again, where I can believe that anything is possible.
This year in animation has been simply brilliant. I always get excited for what Disney/Pixar has to offer, and this year was most definitely not an exception. From the beginning with Toy Story, they have blossomed into their prime by concluding that same adventure with a second sequel of the 1995 film. Nostalgia got the most of me. I feel as though I grew up with the character of Andy, and I embarked on this journey with his toys, Woody, Buzz and the whole crew. In the end, Toy Story 3 concluded just as brilliantly as it had begun, leaving me smiling behind tears. After seeing the final part of the trilogy, I knew that it mattered very little what else came out this year, Toy Story 3 would be taking home the little statuette of a gold man come next March.
But the fact of the matter is that it does matter. I am but three animated films deep into this year’s collection, and I already can’t imagine a better field to fulfill the genres’ representation come award season. It is a shame that only 15 films qualified for an Academy Award this year, meaning that only three films will be allowed a nomination for the award. They were one short of threshold needed to expand the field to five as they did last year.
Disney also released Tangled, which is said to be their final Disney Princess film for quite some time, if not their final one ever. I didn’t have a lot of expectations for the film. I missed out on last year’s The Frog Princess, but for one reason or another felt compelled to see this film. When the film began, I was thinking that it might have been a mistake to commit myself to the occasion. But as it started to take form, I quickly began to enjoy myself, and fall for the characters. By the end, I was more than thrilled that I had decided to go with my instincts and see the film. I can’t say that it is in the same league as Beauty and the Beast or Aladdin, but it held its own. When you are dealing with Disney, the bar has been held high, and not every release is going to exceed that. But it did hold that same feel as some of the other great Disney films, the Alan Menken written score, the loveable characters, and an enchanted land beyond your wildest dreams (I can see my seven year old self getting psyched right now).
How To Your Dragon is Dream Works submission to the wonderful year of animated films. Whereas, I will still take Toy Story 3 as the best animated film of the year, How To Train Your Dragon demonstrates to me that Hollywood can still be creative and come up with innovative ideas in an industry that is set on littering the silver screen with remakes and sequels. I can’t complain about a single aspect of the film, as it is as good as anything that has been released this year across all genres, and deserves recognition in being so.
I still have yet to see the latest from Sylvain Chomet, The Illusionist, but from what I have heard and seen from the trailer, it looks absolutely fantastic. Chomet is the director of the critically acclaimed and Oscar nominated film The Triplets of Belleville. It seems as though everything he touches becomes Oscar bait. Unfortunately, I doubt that I will be able to see this film by the time award season comes to a close. Films such as The Illusionist seem hard to come by until much later after it initially comes out. But I look forward to catching it as soon as I am able, and it is sure to be a great addition to the already crowded field.
I have yet to see Despicable Me, Megamind, and Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’hoole. I am going to make an assumption that none of these films are in the same league as the four previously discussed ones, but nonetheless have something to be said about the genre. Despicable Me and Megamind were both decently received by critics and ultimately did fairly well at the box office, and in almost any other year, at least one of the two would have likely scored a nomination at the Oscars.
The fact is that the animated genre is gaining a larger respect from the industry. I think that people are growing sick of the same old stuff, and the animated field is continually one of the few genres that are keeping things fresh with quality films. The genre is looking to boast a third all time Best Picture nomination, and second straight year to capture a nomination. From the sounds of it, Disney/Pixar is getting serious about their campaign. They are trying to make a run for the ultimate prize. From a logical point of view, more than likely this will not be the year that the Academy goes all the way for the animated underdog. However the genre is gaining ground, and maybe one day it will take home that top prize.
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