Animation: Not just for kiddies
by Marissa Richardson | August 1, 2008 at 6:00 am
Posted in movies
Willing to give it a try, I watched “Enchanted” the other night, Disney’s live action and partly animated film of what happens to a typical Disney heroine when transported into the “real world.” While I love the world that Disney creates in their movies, a place where anything can happen and everyone lives happily ever after, it was refreshing to see them poke fun at things, like how as soon as the two main characters meet, they’re automatically in love and plan to get married as well as singing just too damn much. “Enchanted” was clever, raised the bar on fairy tale movies (the princess actually saves the man for once!) and even though everyone does live happily ever after, I didn’t want to puke. Which, I suppose, isn’t a big surprise.
My first favorite movie ever (and still in the top 10 list) was “The Little Mermaid”. I still tear up hearing “Part of your World”. No wonder I’m a romantic. Thanks a lot, Disney.
Magical, right? I love animated films and they’re not all this cheesey. Get ready for the top 5:
Wallace and Gromit - Curse of the Were Rabbit: Pretty much anything this pair does is hilarious in my book. They’ve released several short films but this is Nick Park’s first and only film featuring the dynamic duo. Wallace loves cheese and is a little absent-minded, Gromit doesn’t say anything, but is loyal throughout. Know if only my dog was like that.
The Nightmare Before Christmas: This movie combines my two favorite holidays so there’s really nothing not to love. The music is fantastic and the claymation is incredible. I was fortunate to see this last year when it was released in 3-D and it made it even better. It’s perfect for children that are just a little off…like I was.
Triplets of Belleville: French, weird and was nominated for two Oscars. The first time I watched this, I didn’t know what the hell was going on with the weird Tour de France cyclist and the weird mobster people and then the weird old ladies who ate frogs (don’t remind me of the French stereotype!). The second time around, I loved it. Most of the story is told without words and the music is ridiculously good.
South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut: The pioneer of adult animation. Even my mom loves this movie. If this movie was live action, it probably would’ve gotten an NC-17 rating or never have gotten in theaters. You learned about drugs, censorship and an Olympic figure-skater. All in all, very educational….right? Whatever, I f—ing love South Park.
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August 1st, 2008 at 7:17 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
ummm... unless you were counting The Little Mermaid (which said it's a "top ten") I only count 4 flicks.
Okay, you have South Park, which absolutely belongs there... but where the hell is Monsters Inc? or Toy Story? Pixar definitely is a list maker!
:-)
August 3rd, 2008 at 11:23 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
i was counting little mermaid and i meant top 10 fav movies of all time, not animated
August 1st, 2008 at 8:49 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
"Titan A.E." and "Lilo & Stitch" are my favorites.
August 1st, 2008 at 9:42 am | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
All props to Disney for coming up with the storybook songs that appeal to the kids (and some adults), but I submit that one might change one’s mind if you had to hear “A Whole New World” or “Under The Sea” or the like every day for weeks. What starts out as cute and sweet turns into evil and DIABOLICAL AND OMG PLEASE MAKE IT STOP, STOP, STOP…(what’s that, darlin’? Why is Daddy sobbing with his head under the pillow? Nothing, dear. Nothing. Hey, There’s Ariel! Look!)
On the other hand, I love my wee one so she gets to watch a lot of what she wants.
Most of the Pixar line, definitely, in terms of great animation plus good stories. I like the combinations of things that appeal to kids and adults in their films. Although sometimes I have to explain to my daughter why I am laughing.
Other animation I would put on the list:
‘Fantasia’ – love the visuals and the Ave Maria segment I still find beautiful.
‘Yellow Submarine’ – Don’t know if it was really that good a story, but the animation is kaleidoscopic! The Blue Meanies always make me nervous, though.
As to pioneers of adult animation, I respectfully disagree with the esteemed (but ever observant) Marissa; the following two may be better examples:
‘Wizards’ – This Ralph Bakshi film from 1977 may have been a little sloppy, but it was beautiful and scary and that the same time. I am still trying to absorb it.
‘Heavy Metal’ – I had been reading the magazine for a while when this came out, and was thrilled to see it on the screen. My friends and I thought it was awesome. And the plethora of exposed female chestal regions had nothing to do with it. No, really! Okay, maybe it did. A bit. But I liked the stories, too.
Isn’t it funny that ‘adult’ usually means a lot of the stuff our parents were telling us we weren’t to be seeing, saying or listening?
August 3rd, 2008 at 10:59 pm | Please log in to reply. | Log in to rate this comment | report this comment
Fantasia never ceases to get a tear out of my stupid face.