Archive for the ‘Animation’ Category
Despicable Me
Saturday, June 19th, 2010Toy Story 3
Thursday, June 17th, 2010Review
Pixar animation studios has been on a non stop train ride through the magical kingdom of box office success since the original Toy Story, and Toy Story 3 is taking the train deeper into that land than ever before.
Andy has grown up and is getting ready for college. The toys have been slowly forgotten and are dieing for Andy just to touch them. After a terrible mistake the toys find themselves in a day care centre, wondering if it’s time to move on and forget Andy.
Pixar has stayed true to the original look and feel of the first two films but the detail and rich locations give away the technical growth the studio has gone through. The locations are simply stunning and alive with swarms of characters in certain scenes, not to mention the leap forward in human animation thanks to Pixar’s last few films. The 3D aspect, however, is hardly noticeable and not worth the extra fee.
But at the heart of everything, as with all Pixar films are the characters. The masterful way in which you are forced to fall in love with Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang all over again is astounding.
Tear jerking guarantees aside the movie still has the most ridiculously funny scenes, with Buzz and a new addition, Ken, taking the comedy leads. Ken, a toy desperately denying that he was made for girls, throws in the romance that was lost with Woody and Bo Peep and adds his own brilliantly timed laughs in between. Buzz on the other hand has one of the most hilarious technical glitches that’ll make you ache with laughter,
The toys are more mature, they’re making big decisions, and we see more of great other characters like Ham, Rex, and Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head.
The final scene brings out the real raw emotions, exploring the certainty of growing up and leaving your childhood behind. Congratulations to Lee Unkrich and his huge team for creating a masterpiece.
9/10
The Princess and the Frog
Monday, January 25th, 2010Shrek Forever After
Monday, December 21st, 2009
Disney’s A Christmas Carol
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009Review
Animation has come a long way since Pixar took the world by storm with Toy Story. Motion capture has been hailed as the next logical step in animation, as the lines between computer created worlds and reality continue to blur. Disney’s A Christmas Carol takes full advantage of the growing technology. In fact Zemeckis may have gone over the top this time.
The movie follows the famous story by Charles Dickens. An old man who hordes money and believes Christmas is a waste of time and cash, is visited by three ghosts. The ghosts of Christmas past, present and future show him his life and how it affects others.
Zemeckis’ take on the film isn’t anything new. The movie simply feels like a glorified retelling of a story we’ve heard countless times, with nothing new to offer. The beauty of the film, however, is in the stunning animation. At times, you could be forgiven for thinking the movie was live action. Unfortunately great animation is not enough.
Jim Carrey shines, as we’ve come to love him in his villain turned Christmas saviour roles. The motion capture animation allows the animators to recreated Carrey’s trademark expressions and dramatic style, lifting the film but not saving it.
Unfortunately, because of the films dark nature I don’t believe this is suitable for kids to watch, and most adults will find themselves easily bored by the dragging plot. Add this movie to the Christmas list for a lonely cold evening when there’s nothing better to do.
4/10
