Pinocchio is certainly great, but was an easy one to leave off for me because there are quite simply so many better films to choose from. It is, however, one of those childhood classics that I haven't seen in years and is due for a rewatch as a result.
I liked, but never especially loved, The Iron Giant, and I can't say exactly why. It was probably a shade too coming of age for me to especially like it when it was released and just always seemed pretty run-of-the-mill after that. It's good, but I never once considered it for my list.
Shrek is a fantastic blend of intelligent writing, fantastic animation and a memorable vocal cast perfectly suited for the roles that they were given. It also comes with a direct and scathing critique of Disney's celebrated climaxes, insisting that your physical appearance actually dowsn't matter and it's the implaccable, unshakable you on the inside that mattered all along. And even if it touches on more adult humor than mids should be exposed to, the fact that the more sexual jokes are subtle enough to go right over kids' heads gives it a free pass for me.
Fantasia is an absolute dream for me: high-end animation paired with classical music in meaningful, inventive and incredibly memorable ways. Its an animation landmark that actually holds up incredibly well decades after its release.
How to Train Your Dragon is the absolute best Dreamworks animated feature, which is saying something, given how much I love Megamind. The dragons are feature incredible designs and distinct personalities. The animation, writing and voice acting are all superb and features a real punch in the gut denouement that reinforces Dreamworks' "your appearance doesn't matter" message from throughout its film catalog.
I have never especially cared for My Neighbor Totoro although I can't deny its greatness. Even what I consider a lesser Miyazaki is superior to most other animated films. It treats its subject openly and doesn't pull any punches, treating the kids and adults watching it with equal respect. I probably would enjoy it a lot more if I had seen it when I was younger, instead of just a few years ago, but it's nothing that I'm either aurprised or upset about seeing on this list, let alone so high up on it.
I liked, but never especially loved, The Iron Giant, and I can't say exactly why. It was probably a shade too coming of age for me to especially like it when it was released and just always seemed pretty run-of-the-mill after that. It's good, but I never once considered it for my list.
Shrek is a fantastic blend of intelligent writing, fantastic animation and a memorable vocal cast perfectly suited for the roles that they were given. It also comes with a direct and scathing critique of Disney's celebrated climaxes, insisting that your physical appearance actually dowsn't matter and it's the implaccable, unshakable you on the inside that mattered all along. And even if it touches on more adult humor than mids should be exposed to, the fact that the more sexual jokes are subtle enough to go right over kids' heads gives it a free pass for me.
Fantasia is an absolute dream for me: high-end animation paired with classical music in meaningful, inventive and incredibly memorable ways. Its an animation landmark that actually holds up incredibly well decades after its release.
How to Train Your Dragon is the absolute best Dreamworks animated feature, which is saying something, given how much I love Megamind. The dragons are feature incredible designs and distinct personalities. The animation, writing and voice acting are all superb and features a real punch in the gut denouement that reinforces Dreamworks' "your appearance doesn't matter" message from throughout its film catalog.
I have never especially cared for My Neighbor Totoro although I can't deny its greatness. Even what I consider a lesser Miyazaki is superior to most other animated films. It treats its subject openly and doesn't pull any punches, treating the kids and adults watching it with equal respect. I probably would enjoy it a lot more if I had seen it when I was younger, instead of just a few years ago, but it's nothing that I'm either aurprised or upset about seeing on this list, let alone so high up on it.
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Filmquisition: Raking Modern Entertainment Over the Coals Daily
Unrealitymag.com: New Articles Contributed Every Friday
Arcanis' 100 Favorite Films: 2015 Edition
Filmquisition: Raking Modern Entertainment Over the Coals Daily
Unrealitymag.com: New Articles Contributed Every Friday
Arcanis' 100 Favorite Films: 2015 Edition