Best Animated Short - 1984

Whew. It feels as though we got through some harrowing times, what with the special countdown post. It would be easy to say that it would also be because of my second COMLEX board exam, which happened the day before, but in reality I'm writing these posts far before they actually go up. For example, right now I am writing this on June 24, three weeks before my board exam. So I can't really use that as a reason why I'm so mentally drained, but I did finish that countdown post earlier today, and I just power-washed my parent's driveway, so I guess I do have a reason to be exhausted. Nevertheless, we must press on!

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DreamWorks and Classic Media

DreamWorks Animation is in talks of acquiring Classic Media, a New York-based production company that holds the rights to several classic cartoons, characters and several other things. Since DreamWorks tends to make films based off of pre-existing source material (How to Train Your Dragon and upcoming projects like Rise of the Guardians, Pig Scrolls and Happy Smekday!), this would seem like a perfect move for them to expand their roster.

Among the things Classic Media owns is the rights to all of Jay Wards cartoons: The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, George of the Jungle and Dudley Do-Right. DreamWorks is already working on a feature film based on the Mr. Peabody and Sherman segments of The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, which is slated to open on November 8, 2013.

What else? The Where's Wally?/Where's Waldo? books. A live-action film is currently in development at MGM. Maybe the rights may revert to DreamWorks and they may pick up the Waldo project. Who knows. They'll also get Felix the Cat, whose recent spin-offs last appeared nearly over a decade ago. Interesting thing is that there was a feature-length film (Felix the Cat: The Movie), so it's possible that DreamWorks could try to make a Felix the Cat film and give the classic cat a film he deserves, unlike the one that first appeared in 1989. Most of Rankin-Bass' pre-1974 films are also owned by Classic Media, including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Classic Media also owns the rights to Filmation's cartoons, such as He-Man and the Master of the Universe. They also have the rights to the Little Golden Books, the UPA's animated library (Mr. Magoo), Big Idea (VeggieTales), Harvey Comics (Casper, Richie Rich) and catalogues that own the rights to Dick Tracy, Voltron, Lassie and several others.

So if DreamWorks were to acquire them, they would have a lot of potential projects for their upcoming slate, which is usually massive compared to other animation studios. The only problem is though, they'll probably follow the route that other studios are taking by updating classic characters. Sony Pictures Animation already did it with The Smurfs and they're doing the same for Popeye, Illumination's got Clifford the Big Red Dog and Woody Woodpecker in the works. Fox has the awful Alvin and the Chipmunks films, and Warner Bros. did Yogi Bear. Knowing DreamWorks' recent string of critical successes, they may actually do the classic characters some justice. We may never know.

Do you think DreamWorks will acquire Classic Media? Do you it's a good move? Or would you rather see DreamWorks sticking to their own upcoming projects and not add more to the roster?

Finding Nemo 2? (FALSE ALARM)

Apparently Andrew Stanton has a good idea for a Finding Nemo sequel.

A Finding Nemo sequel? Why??

First of all, I'm not going to jump the gun and say Pixar is selling out. No, I'm not going to do that. The studio supposedly loves the idea Stanton has. Again, it isn't officially confirmed.

According to the article, Andrew Stanton might be doing this to get a pass for John Carter failing at the box office so he can move on and do another live action project. If that's true, then that's just disgusting. John Carter failed because of bad marketing and an awful title! It isn't rocket science! Also, Disney recouped from it. Shouldn't they be happy that The Avengers and Brave more than made up for that? If he has to do this to satisfy Disney and gain their trust again, then something is truly wrong with Disney management. Why should he have to prove himself? Andrew Stanton was involved in several Pixar films from the very start that did boffo business at the box office, directed two films that did great business and got stellar reception, and his Finding Nemo is one of the most successful franchises for Disney.

Then again, Stanton might have a good idea, but a second Finding Nemo does not need to be made. Stanton talked about sequels at the LA Hero Complex Film festival, and mentioned that they would be like "comfort food". But why a sequel to Finding Nemo? Can't Andrew Stanton do an original film for Pixar? One that will be a huge success and make Disney proud?

"I’m sure you’ll see some other sequels of things as they grow because now we are not so blinded. It’s the originals that keep us really going and it’s the sequels that are like comfort food, and I think it’s the same way for the audience."

While he does make a point about the sequels, they don't have to be made, especially for just pleasing audiences. I understand that Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3 were both fantastic, but that was a rare moment where two sequels were excellent. Cars 2 didn't equal its predecessor, and left a lot of people very unsatisfied. We can only imagine how Monsters University will turn out next summer, but they should stop there. I personally believe that Finding Nemo "2" does not need to be made. If it turns out to be amazing, I'll gladly admit I was wrong, but at the moment, I just don't want a sequel to it.

Do you agree or disagree? What are your thoughts? Mere speculation? Or do you think it's actually going to happen? If they go ahead and start working on it, how would you feel?

UPDATE: Here's what Andrew Stanton himself had to say...

Didn't you all learn from Chicken Little? Everyone calm down. Don't believe everything you read. Nothing to see here now. #skyisnotfalling
— andrew stanton (@andrewstanton) July 18, 2012

There you have it...

DreamWorks To Team Up with Sony?

We all know that DreamWorks Animation's distribution deal with Paramount ends with the release of Rise of the Guardians in November, and we've all been wondering, who would DreamWorks turn to for distribution? Would they self-distribute? Or would they turn to someone like Warner Bros.? According to a newspaper article found by The Animation Guild, they might join forces with Sony.

For a while, I thought DreamWorks would team up with Warner Bros. since that studio always had a hard time with animated films, only scoring a few commercial successes (Space Jam, Pokemon: The First Movie, The Polar Express and Happy Feet) over the course of twenty years. The whole idea of DreamWorks going with Sony just doesn't seem right.

For starters, Sony has two animation studios: Their own (Sony Pictures Animation) and Aardman Animations. They haven't handled Aardman's films that well in the United States, as they aren't easy sells to begin with. Also, Sony Pictures Animation has a big upcoming slate with films like The Familiars, two more Smurfs films, Popeye and a slew of other original projects. DreamWorks has a ton of films in the works too, as they usually try to release two or three films in one year. That'll be quite a lot for Sony to distribute, that's for sure. I just can't see it happening though.

The studio that DreamWorks will ultimately go to will be revealed sometime before Labor Day, but if they're eying down Sony, then it's possible that Sony will be that studio. Certainly an interesting move coming from DreamWorks, and I can only imagine how the two studios will work together. If they don't go with Sony, then who else can they go with? Out of the big guns, only Warner Bros. is available. They obviously won't go to someone like Summit or Lionsgate (who have an awful track record with animation, need I say more?), so who knows. Self-distribution would be an interesting move, as DreamWorks' Animation's CEO and co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg was reportedly looking into it. Remember how Disney set up Buena Vista in 1953 to distribute their films after things fell through with the longtime distributor RKO Radio Pictures? Self-distribution is very possible.

Well, we'll find out soon. Who do you think they will team up with? Who would you like them to team up with and why? Do you think they should just distribute their own films? Sound off!

2012 Animation Report Card: First Half

With Blue Sky's Ice Age: Continental Drift kicking off the second half of the year (grossing an estimated $46 million on its opening weekend), now is the time to grade what we got in the first half. We only got four animated features of course (not counting The Secret World of Arrietty, being a 2010 film), while the second half will give us six.

These are just short reviews, as you can read the individual quickie reviews I did when I saw these films. The only one I did not do a quickie review for was Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, which I just saw. The full review of that film will be saved for Part 8 of "Moving Forward". Some of the grades may also be different from the original Quick Flick Reviews.

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax
Directed by Chris Renaud and Kyle Balda
Written by Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul
Produced by Chris Meledandri and Janet Healey
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Studio: Illumination Entertainment

Dr. Seuss’ classic has been updated into something that panders more to children than anything. The Lorax boasts some great colorful visuals and cute designs that are true to Dr. Seuss’ original illustrations, but the film is cut from the same cloth as Illumination’s debut feature, Despicable Me. It’s a sweet, saccharine romp with a message that’s not too heavy, it’s just rote and ironically almost out of place. It also has musical numbers which feel forced, and humor that is hit-or-miss. The Lorax himself and the Once-ler make the film worth it, while everyone else is just there to pad out the story and provide comic relief. For a film about the dangers of corporate greed and artificial things, it kind of felt artificial.
C-

Original review

The Pirates! Band of Misfits
Directed by Peter Lord and Jeff Newitt
Written by Gideon Defoe
Produced by Julie Lockhart, Peter Lord and David Sproxton
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Studio: Aardman Animations / Sony Pictures Animation

The Pirates! Band of Misfits is a clever, sometimes wacky ride with a lot of work and effort put into it. Sometimes the blending of computer animation and stop-motion didn’t work, but overall, it’s loaded with eye candy and even some traditional animation for the great map montage scenes. The characters are fun, although they aren’t as memorable as the characters from the past Aardman films, but there’s enough charm to elevate it. The American version of this film tones down some of the more adult-oriented humor in the British original (The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!) and re-dubs a few voices for some characters, but that’s never too distracting. Minimal the plot may be, it’s really just a base for the crazy antics that follow when the pirate characters get entangled with Charles Darwin in London. Mayhem and wit ensues, making for an unexpected and fast-paced romp.

B+

Original review

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted
Directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath
Written by Eric Darnell and Noah Baumbach
Produced by Mireille Soria
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Studio: DreamWorks Animation SKG / Pacific Data Images

Coming off of two entertaining but otherwise problematic films, Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted actually ends the trilogy (well I sure hope it’s the end) on a high note. While the first two films had a hard time figuring out what they wanted to be, Madagascar 3 knows exactly what it wants to be: An over-the-top cartoon that’s loaded with ridiculous action, slapstick and zany characters. While some pop culture jokes and the use of pop songs from the past and present rear their ugly head a few times, most of the comedy is hilarious. The new characters are great, and the zoo gang is actually a much more interesting band of characters than they were in the first two films. Noah Baumbach spices up what could’ve been a by-the-numbers screenplay with a lot of wit, clever writing and even some heart. The animation is exciting, colorful and eye-popping, with a great circus finale that’s like a psychedelic explosion. It’s pure fun at its best.
B

Brave
Directed by Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman and Steve Purcell
Written by Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Irene Mecchi and Steve Purcell
Produced by Katherine Sarafian
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Studio: Pixar Animation Studios

Pixar goes for a more traditional route with Brave, a fairy tale-like story rooted in Grimm Brothers traditions while also drawing from the classic Disney book and putting some new spins on them. Like Pixar’s other films, it has a story that resonates with a beautifully written mother-daughter relationship that echoes the great father-son relationship in Finding Nemo. Also, the animation, character designs, art direction and lighting are peerless, as per usual with Pixar. The Scottish highlands look beautiful and epic. Patrick Doyle’s score is breathtaking and captivating, and the cast gives it their all. The film does have some issues, such as the pacing (it could’ve been longer) and a strange imbalance, where the comic relief sometimes overshadows the more serious side of the narrative. Fortunately, it never pulls punches and again, it plays to adults like every other Pixar film. It’s beautiful, moving and engaging.

A

Original review

~

There you have it. How would you grade these four animated features? Would you say 2012 is a great year for animation so far?

Pluto's sneak.

Here's a great sneak from 'Donald's Dog Laundry', a Disney short from 1940, animated by the talented team that included the famous Preston Blair and Ken Muse (who was Preston's assistant on 'Fantasia', doing the 'Sorcerer's Apprentice' scenes). It was directed by Jack King.

The sequence is 32 frames and is then repeated on a smaller cycle to pick up the pace. Remember, in this short, Donald had bought himself a brand new dog washing machine, and in this spot, it had just appeared to Pluto that he's the one getting washed, so he's trying to slip away at first, and in the continuing sequence (not shown here), it loses the momentum (which is pretty obvious aound the 17th frame, pushing off his right leg). This stuff is part of a few scenes done by Disney animators Paul Allen and Norman Tate.

The final result of this beautiful sequence looks something like this (well, it's optimized):

The List: Top 5 Animated Nuclear Explosions (NSFW)

One thing that I like to do is making lists, especially ranked lists. Countdowns are one of the joys in my life. Well, one thing I can do on this blog is make countdowns based on topics in animation. I've already been doing some of this through my rankings of my favorite Oscar nominated films every ten years, and I'll do things on other animation-related topics from time to time. And this first one is something that had been bouncing around in my head since I saw The Big Snit for the first time back in 2007: the top five animated atomic explosions.

And yes, in case you hadn't seen it before, NSFW means Not Safe For Work. Even though these next scenes are animated, there are still images that are quite graphic. You have been warned.

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