|
|
| Hippy's Favourite Film Festival | |
| Best Animated Films | |
|
|
|
The Dark Crystal
Two youngsters hunt a shard from the Dark Crystal to save the world from the evil creatures that have taken over. A traditional, but well done, Good versus Evil tale where all the characters are puppets. Directed by the creators of The Muppets its lineage is not hard to spot. The Dark Crystal gives Hensen and Oz an alternative creative palette to that used in their adventures with The Muppets. It is therefore pointless to compare the two. As to proof of what can be achieved by the use of puppets; this is a fine example of the genre. Dumbo
A baby elephant with big ears captures our hearts. An astounding piece of Disney animation as popular today as it has ever been. Any film that can move a grown man to tears has got to be worthy of a solid recommendation. Fantastic Planet
A young boy is born in to the world of an advanced race. An interesting exploration of an alternative life in an alternative culture. There's not a lot else to say other than it's interesting and an enjoyable story. The Snowman
A young boy builds a snowman that comes to life who takes him to the North Pole. The animated version of Raymond Briggs' classic cartoon story. A good wholesome story for both the young and old with some excellent pieces of animation. Its almost annual appearance on Channel Four Television has made it hard not to miss. The featured song, "Walking in the air", became a major hit and set Aled Jones on route for stardom. The Snowman shows Briggs at his best when creating for both children and adults alike, however, there is a much darker, moralistic, side as evidenced in his other books and animated films such as When The Wind Blows.
Toy Story
Woody loses his pride of place on the toy shelf when, New Toy on the Block, Buzz Lightyear arrives. A completely computer generated animation which owes its success not to the cleverness of the computer imagery, although that is astounding in its own right, but to a combination of the fantastic realisation of characters, a credible and entertaining storyline and the superb casting for the voice overs. Tron
A computer programmer is sucked deep inside one of his creations. An interesting mix of live action and computer animation that works well in some places but fails in others. With recent leaps in the capabilities of computer generated imagery it would be hard to claim that this film is at the forefront of technology, but, it was in 1982. Unfortunately this was not enough to make the film a success and the computer animated film fell from grace until its reincarnation by way of Toy Story. As an historical glimpse into the early use of computer graphics within the film industry, and this was a ground breaking film at the time, it is well worth a viewing. When The Wind Blows
An elderly man and wife have to cope with nuclear destruction. Based on the book by Raymond Briggs the film is almost a complete visualisation of the cartoon image. Whilst Briggs is more often associated with children's books, in particular The Snowman and Father Christmas, he has a much darker side and this is just one rendition of it. No matter what subject Briggs is writing on; he always has a moral. In this case he attacks the stupidity of nuclear deterant and has no qualms about delivering his views on nuclear extinction. This film is a valid alternative to government 'Protect and Survive' propoganda although some would claim that it is just propoganda itself. Certainly, I feel, it's more honest and realistic in its approach. Wizards
Two wizard brothers fight it out as the world nears destruction. Aledgedly made as a forerunner to the, incomplete, animated film of Tolkein's Lord of the Rings this film stands in its own right. It does, however, look like this was the film they tried the animation effects out in first. Although it appears there is a contrived mish-mash of a plot along the way, the action is interspersed with a good deal of humour and, if you want to see the horniest fairy ever animated - look no further. Snow White was never like this.
Yellow Submarine
Pepperland is attacked by the Blue Meanies. An interesting mix of animation styles created as a vehicle for carrying the nusic of The Beatles. Some scenes work, others don't. Well worth watching for the stuff that does work. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
First published sometime before Tuesday the 16th of November, 1999
Last upload was on Wednesday the 7th of January, 2004 at 06:10:51 |
