Hail all,

Category: Movies

So - been watching a lot of animated films lately. Some I'd seen before, others - not so much. Surprisingly, all the movies I inform are my top 100 below are films I've seen within the past year. Some are old - some older than myself, though most come from within the past 25 years as well. There is a rule to this list though. All films must have had a theatre release, must contain at least 50% animation, and must be a singular story - no collections of short stories here. Without further ado...

PART 1 here.

PART 2 here.

PART 3 here.

31. The Rescuers Down Under

Ok - so I'm a little biased here. The original Rescuers film is regarded as the better of the two, but being Australian myself, I had to put this one higher. What's most unusual about the film is that its a sequel (the first for Disney ever) featured Australia (another first) and used the CAPS process (first time) which was later used in some of their best Disney Renaissance films. It also is one of the rare Disney films that doesn't break out in song. But on top of that is the wonderful Rescuers drama, some beautiful animation and backdrops, and a good story told with gorgeous visuals. Under-rated.

32. Yellow Submarine

You don't have to be a fan of The Beatles to enjoy this film (although it certainly helps). This is the best animated film starring musicians that I know of - and it is certainly over the top and psychadelic in it's presentation! It's definitely something of a tribute to the fans, and the band members themselves have stated they enjoyed the film. As with many other musical films, the plot is throwaway and only serves to show the next musical number. This film, more than any other I think started the rise of the Music video and MTV. Which is big in and of itself. Yet the film is also more than a tribute to The Beatles - while it brings their music to the world, it's also just an enjoyable fluff film that can be tuned into and switched out.

33. Sleeping Beauty

Probably the best example for me growing up of a fairytale. Sleeping Beauty is the epitome of the best in Disney animated fairy tales. It's a wonderfully told tale, wonderfully animated and is quite different from other Disney animated features. I can still remember the three good fairies, the ultimate fight against Malificent and Aurora singing in the forest. Such a beautiful picture.

34. Watership Down

As beautifully animated as any Disney ****c, Watership Down would never come from the House of Mouse. While not unrelenting in it's depiction of violence - it doesn't shy away from it either. That's a refreshing change. The movies main theme is of survival. I can't ever forget the scene with Bigwig in a snare. Watership Down isn't something I'd put in front of a young child, but there is hope and daring and love in this film, and it's something that really needs to be seen.

35. Charlotte's Web

It isn't the best treatment of the beloved story ever - but as a child, this was a great film. I saw it recently and noticed a lot of things my child mind didn't realise at the time. The film quite intelligently deals with death - though it isn't a sombre film. It's quite a happy film, to the film's own detriment. The animation is patchy on ocassion, and the voice cast isn't all there, but the story is quite strong and I have put this quite high purely because as a child, it was magical.

36. A Bug's Life

Many people call it the dark horse of the Pixar animated features. It's not as memorable, sure. Still, coming off the massive success of the original Toy Story and fighting against the Dreamworks picture Antz, A Bugs Life can stand tall. I guess the main theme of the film is slavery, and fighting back against authority. Still, the film presents this humourously and doesn't take itself to seriously. A fun film with some gorgeous visuals, great gags and good voice acting. Well worth a look.

37. The Prince of Egypt

Basing a traditionally animated film on the bible story of Exodus is a stretch to say the least. And while the story of Moses is indeed uplifting, the action of the film is definitely not for the young. You see deaths - many hundreds of deaths, of children. You see the slaughter of wildstock, the ceremonial use of lamb's blood and unforgiving slavery practices. Yet God's word shines through in this story which takes very little liberty with the Book of God. Even as a non-christian I can appreciate a good story well told, and The Prince of Egypt is a great debut from the newly formed Dreamworks Animation.

38. Kiki's Delivery Service

If ever there was a coming of age story - this is it. It feels a little like the japenese version of australian novel "The Journey" which happened to be released right around the same time and I happened to read as well. There is some central difficulty to the young girl who just wishes to be accepted. Her flying skills are impressive, and the vivid animation is to match. Yet again, Hayao Miyazaki delivered.

39. Treasure Planet

Some absolutely gorgeous visuals mask the great ****c story Treasure Island. Reimagined as a space-faring action adventure, Treasure Planet has some of the most amazing animation ever seen by Disney. And yet, it failed miserably at the Box Office. I can't see why, it has all the hallmarks of other Disney films - but I think in the translation of ****c storytelling they lost the soul of the original story. Still, I've loved space since I was a kid and it has never looked as beautiful as it does in this film.

40. Chicken Run

What is most amazing about the film is the painstaking process required to actually make it. How plasticine can work so well in tune with animation is incredible. I'd been a fan of the earlier Wallace and Gromit shorts, but Aardman really outdone themselves with Chicken Run. The story is a little crude, and certainly takes a few ideas from The Great Escape, but in the end, this is entertaining viewing that can be watched again and again.

There's so much more to add to this series - so keep checking back.

Cheers,

Saga.