Film Fest: Animated

September 1, 2017 Chopped Onion Comments 0 Comment

My wife and I are big fans of animated movies, we liked them as kids and now we can fully appreciate all they have to offer. There can be brief jokes that only adults get, including in G rated family films, but there is also the wonder, the fantasy, and the ever increasing ability to produce them. I watched two of her favourites, Tinker Bell (2008) and Finding Dory (2016), we saw The Emoji Movie (2017) at a drive-in in British Columbia, and we saw Cars 2 (2011) just before seeing part 3 in an IMAX theatre (that article is coming soon). All four were my first viewings.

Tinker Bell

2008, G, 1h 18m

Distributor – Walt Disney Studios

Budget / Worldwide Box Office (in millions) – $50 / $9

IMDB – 6.9

Tinker Bell is an adventure film set in the world of Pixie Hollow where Tinker Bell and her fairy friends live. The character herself was created by J.M. Barrie in his play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up (1904), and was seen in previous Disney films in hand drawn animation before this computer animated version in 2008. This movie deals with how she came to be, how she found her calling, and introduced audiences to the larger world that was hinted at in Peter Pan. Its conflicts deal with learning about who you are and how to fit into society, and is a positive influence for girls as Tinker Bell tries multiple jobs to find out what she is best at. Lots of nature seen from a tiny perspective is on display, and the jokes are pleasant/kid friendly. Produced by the animation firm Prana Studios in India, the film had difficulty being finished, (mainly the budget had inflated) and only had a limited theatrical release. Featuring music and narration by Loreena McKennitt, voice work by Mae Whitman (April O’Neil in TMNT 2012-2017, Batgirl in DC Super Hero Girls 2015-2017), Lucy Liu and Anjelica Huston, the film became a success in home video and has since spawned 5 sequels, books, and video games.

Cars 2

2011, G, 1h 46m

Distributor – Buena Vista

Budget / Worldwide Box Office (in millions) – $200 / $562

IMDB – 6.2

Cars 2 is an action adventure that takes the world of Cars into Europe for a big race and includes international espionage. Where the first part tackled who Lightning is, this movie puts his pal Mater in centre stage and adds some more action including a Michael Caine voiced car that echoes a James Bond car with gadgets (the character was designed for a scene in the first Cars that was not used). The spectacle of having thousands of cars in a single scene, with plenty of them racing, with appropriate lighting and physics, is incredible to see, especially in vibrant colors. Mater, again voiced by Larry the Cable Guy, continues to steal scenes voicing the lovable tow truck that finds fun in all he does and gets the most laughs. Animated in California, Cars 2 was the first Pixar film not nominated for a Best Animated Film Oscar since the award was created in 2001, and sadly had lost 3 voice actors from the first who passed away, Paul Newman (Doc Hudson), George Carlin (Fillmore), and Joe Ranft (Red). Director John Lasseter previously directed Cars (2006) and developed stories/produced Toy Story 3 (2010) and Planes (2013). Ben Queen wrote the screenplay as well as creating/writing for Drive (2011 action series with Nathan Fillion) and A to Z (2014-2015 rom-com series with Ben Feldman). Owen Wilson previously voiced Marmaduke (2010 comedy with Judy Greer) and would next voice in Free Birds (2013 comedy with Woody Harrelson). Also voicing are Emily Mortimer, Eddie Izzard, John Turturro, and Bonnie Hunt.

Finding Dory

2016, G, 1h 37m

Distributor – Buena Vista

Budget / Worldwide Box Office (in millions) – $200 / $1,028

IMDB – 7.4

Finding Dory is an adventure film following the character of Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres, who announced the sequel on her talk show) who was introduced in Finding Nemo (2003). She is loveable, but really forgetful, and easily makes friends along the way who help try to get her in touch with her family again. The animation of the water, the aquatic life, and plants, have come a long way, and is amazing as even just a screen saver. Pixar has always been developing ways to animate, to give life, and to have the audience fall in love with their fantastic and developed characters. Ellen shines again, getting laughs and warming hearts, and breathes life into a simple blue fish that has become a fixture of Pixar animation. There are just enough references to the first part, but it also created many new characters in this adventure, such as those voiced by Ed O-Neil (Hank) and Idris Elba (Fluke, in his 3rd voice acting role in 2016 after Zootopia and The Jungle Book). Director and co-writer Andrew Stanton previously made John Carter (2012 adventure with Taylor Kitsch) and is now working on Toy Story 4, and co-writer Victoria Strouse is now writing Tinker Bell (fantasy with Reese Witherspoon). Also voicing in the film are Albert Brooks, Ty Burrell, Diane Keaton, Eugene Levy, Bill Hader, and Kate McKinnon. Animated in California, the film has become the highest grossing animated film of all time, besting Shrek 2 (2004).

The Emoji Movie

2017, G, 1h 26m

Distributor – Sony/Columbia

Budget / Worldwide Box Office (in millions) – $50 / $145

IMDB – 2.0

The Emoji Movie is an adventure film set in the world of text messaging images given life by Sony Pictures Animation. It is about an emoticon that does not feel like they are being the person they want to be and goes on a journey to discover and possibly change themselves, making friends and avoiding danger in the process. This studio has also made The Smurfs (3 films 2011-2017), Hotel Transylvania (2012 & 2015), Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009 & 2013), and was animated in Iowa. Some criticism of the film is aimed at how it almost advertises for cell phones and apps (it does use actual names of apps in the film) and the journey of the female lead (not the most inspiring). It does have enough cute moments, James Corden gets the most laughs, and the visuals set inside a digital device are certainly interesting to check out. The Emoji Movie has 3 writers Tony Leondis (who also directed this and Igor in 2008), Eric Siegel (first feature credit), and Mike White (Beatriz at Dinner, 2017 drama starring Salma Hayek). T.J. Miller voices after having similar duties in How to Train Your Dragon franchise (2010-2017, a sequel is in the works), F is for Family (2017 comedy), Gravity Falls (2012-2016 comedy), High School USA! (2013-2015 comedy), and Big Hero 6 (2014 action). James Corden previously voiced in Trolls (2016 comedy with Anna Kendrick), and will next voice in Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2. Anna Faris voiced in Alvin and the Chipmuncks: The Road Chip (2015) and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013). Also voicing in the film is Maya Rudolph, Patrick Stewart, Christina Aguilera, Sofia Vergara, and Sean Hayes.