Our Top Ten . . . Animated Films of All Time
By Bob and Aaron 6/21/08
Many things have defined the start of summer, and in recent years film fans have been annually treated to a new list courtesy of the American Film Institute. This year, the institute went crazy and gave us ten top ten lists in ten different genres. As Aaron pointed out earlier in the week, these lists are almost as suspect as all the previous lists they have released. Because of this, Aaron and I will be unveiling our genre lists throughout the summer.
We will, however, be using a different set of criteria. First, we won’t limit ourselves to the genres that the institute used, but we will make some of our own genres. Second, we won’t be limiting ourselves to American films. Third, we will not be biased in favor of old films, but will try to treat all eras equally (as much as two twenty-somethings can).
In honor of next week’s release of WALL-E, we decided to start with animation, and while Pixar’s next film does not make an appearance on the list (although it might in the future), we hope you enjoy some of our Top Ten Animated Films of All Time.
10)
Peter Pan (1953)
This Classic Walt Disney film came in the midst of the company’s first animation renaissance, and it was one of my favorite childhood films. While the animation did not push the boundaries much, the characters are some of the most timeless in the Disney canon and children will be watching them forever.—RCK
9)
The Incredibles (2004)
While all films have themes and messages they want to convey, few of Pixar’s – or any film capture the weight of family and the importance of your own unique identity as well as this movie. The movie’s voice casting was perfectly done and showed a more selective trend that would be fully realized in Ratatouille. To me, both of these movies are crowning achievements of Pixar’s successful ten years.—AWV
8)
Ratatouille (2007)
Already too many Pixar films on this list? Is that possible? Pixar’s run of films over the past ten years has been unparalleled by any production company in history. They continuously redefine what great animation is and do it with awesome characters and stories alike. Last year’s Ratatouille is no different, and will go down as one of their best.—RCK
7)
South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut (1999)
This movie was the first I saw of the gang from South Park (South Park wasn’t aloud in my house) and I never laughed as much. Unlike previous television adaptations before it, the movie strengthened the show and marked the beginning of the show’s golden age instead of the end. It did this by capturing the two best aspects of South Park: topical humor and ridiculously no holds barred satire that makes you think. Oh yeah, I should probably say – it was animated. –AWV
6)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)
Despite the fact that half the film is live action, this film remains as one of the first and best mixtures of animation and live action. The film is also notable for being the only time when characters from different studios appeared in the same film. This allowed for awesome scenes with Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny as well as Donald and Daffy Ducks appearing together. For these scenes alone, Roger Rabbit deserves note.—RCK
5)
Spirited Away (2001)
When Spirited Away came along anime was already making serious headway in America but Hayao Miyazaki’s film showed the beautiful fantastical world that anime could weave – both in the animation sense and in the narrative sense. This movie showed Miyazaki’s growth from the great Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away’s 2002 Best Animated Oscar opened the door to new anime stalwarts like Howl’s Moving Castle. –AWV
4)
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Beauty and the Beast is the only animated feature to ever be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar (it lost to the other family flick, Silence of the Lambs). Beyond just this crowning achievement the movie also caps the end of a great era – Disney voice actors who would begin to move over with Robin Williams’ famous casting in Aladdin the next year. For good measure the film was also one of the best fairy tale adaptations/executions of Disney formula – ie talking animals/objects that were not in the original. –AWV
3)
Toy Story (1995)
The era I gushed about in my Incredibles post began with this film chock full of Hollywood stars but taking advantage of that nice new tool we call the computer. Woody and Buzz (and Pixar) revitalized Disney and began an era (ongoing) where Disney 2D animation would never reach the heights of Pixar’s computer animation. Oh, and the movie was really good too. –AWV
2)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (1937)
While it might not be either of our favorite animated films, Snow White has to be included in this type of list simply because it was Disney’s first animated feature. It is a classic film, with an undeniable impact on the film industry, and will always be seen as one of the most important films of all time.—RCK
1)
The Lion King (1994)
At the pinnacle of Disney’s early 1990s renaissance was this film which brought together every element to become the greatest animated film of all time. It was the first in Disney’s animated canon to feature an original story, one that takes its cues from Moses, Hamlet, and West African tales. It also continued the lucrative trend of making animated musicals with the unforgettable songs by Tim Rice and Elton John. Finally, it brought live action film and television stars such as Matthew Broderick (old Simba), Jeremy Irons (Scar), James Earl Jones (Mufasa), Jonathan Taylor Thomas (young Simba), Nathan Lane (Timon), and Rowan Atkinson (Zazu) on as voice actors, creating a trend that endures today.-RCK