I have been inspired to post my Top 10 list of Family CG Animated Features. Lately I have been hearing that Brave (Pixar, 2012) is the best CG Animated Film of all time. Now let me say this, it is a really good movie and has enjoyable characters. And Technically it was a gem. But by no means is it the greatest or even in my Top Ten. So, getting to my top ten, lets start off with a few honorable mentions. Now I am going to concentrate on the ones really marketed towards family and children. Some of you man be asking what is my criteria for selection. Basically 3 things, Story, Art and Tech (the later one being not so important among the children)
HM 2 - Ice Age (Blue Sky, 2002) - For the reason that they were trying to set themselves apart from Dreamworks and Pixar, by producing a highly stylized animation. And they were successful at that.
HM 1 - Despicable Me (Illumnation, 2010) - An all around good movie, but a studio that isn't Dreamworks or Pixar.
10. Over the Hedge (Dreamworks, 2006) - this under-marketed animation has some great characters, a wonderful story and a beautiful look. This was also the year of the CG movies that would feature a rodent like character on speed. Many attempted this type of character, but OTH pulled it off.
9. Tangled (Disney, 2011) - struggling to get back into the animation features, Disney hit it out of the ballpark with this one. It was wonderful stereoscopic camera and animation work, gorgeous art and a really wonderful story line. This made me appreciate Disney animations once again.
8. Rio (Blue Sky, 2011) - It was great to see, the way they created Rio and showed it in the feature was a great look and character of and in its self. Blue Sky Studios stepped it up and really competed with Pixar and Dreamworks in my opinion. So, much so that Disney canceled their Newt project.
7. WALL-E (Pixar, 2008) - Because the shear beauty of this movie, the first half of it has basically no dialogue and is all driven through the life of this little robot, who falls in love.
6. Monster's Inc (Pixar, 2001) - This really pushed the boundaries of an animated kids feature. No more cute toys or animals, this was Monsters being shown in a societal setting. The hair/fur on Sulley was a technical masterpiece.
5. Ratatouille (2007, Pixar) - Just as one of my friends said, this is a great movie but its "Rats in a Kitchen". I see that, but I grew watching Tom and Jerry and Speedy. (There is more to his argument, but this is my blog, so he can continue the discussion on his). The themes of breaking out of your class and achieving more was inspiring.
4. The Incredibles (2004, Pixar) - Brad Bird being my number 4 and 5, created yet another animation that I have come to love (the first one being The Iron Giant, 1999). Showing what happens to superheroes when they are forced to be ordinary people, was a great premise.
3. How To Train Your Dragon (2010, Dreamworks) - This movies has it all, depth, cinematography, great story line and the ability to care about the characters. Epic Awesomeness.
2. Kung Fu Panda (2008, Dreamworks) - Speaking of Awesomeness, Up until this point I hadn't enjoyed a CG Animation all the way through with laughing and in amazement. This is a great movie through and through.
1. Toy Story (1995, Pixar) - What happens to our toys when we stop playing with them. Pixar has a underlying theme of showing things/animals in a societal environment created by themselves. But this is were anyone who appreciates the art and magic that goes into creating a full length CG, this is the one we all fell in love with. I firmly believe that if this movie hadn't been successful, it would have taken studios longer to want to do Fully CG Animated Films.
So, these are my Top Ten Family CG Animated Features to date, now of course this is subject to change and there are a few that could have made this list but didn't. And there are some that I expect to make the list, Wreck-it Ralph (Disney, 2012), Rise of the Guardians (Dreamworks, 2012). Once I see more this year and next and if anything changes I will let you know. Also, I don't do sequels, so don't ask. Some day I will post my Top Ten Movies of all time.
