Category: animation
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The Lego Batman Movie [2017] ★★★
To say that Lego Batman was the funniest character in 2014’s “The Lego Movie” would be an understatement (at least for me). Naturally, they had to give him his own “Lego” movie, and it’s everything I hoped it would be: fast-paced, action-packed and a lot fun to watch. But all this wouldn’t mean a damn…
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Sing [2016] ★★½
From the trailer and the poster you’d expect an animated picture filled with music and colorful characters. And “Sing” is exactly that, with music ranging from Frank Sinatra to modern, popular songs that kids and their parents will most certainly recognize. While the finished product is likable and enjoyable, it’s also hectic at times and doesn’t…
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Moana [2016] ★★★
I’ve been a sucker for Disney animated features ever since my mom took me to see Aladdin back in 1992, and I still approach every new film with a combination of excitement and cautiousness. Will it be as good as the previous one? Disney hit a bullseye earlier this year with the amazing “Zootopia”, and…
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Trolls [2016] ★★★
They were everywhere when I was growing up: in movies, on TV, in toy stores. I’m talking about Trolls, the miniature creatures with colorful hair who spend most of their time singing and dancing. While mainly aimed at kids, this 2016 version of “Trolls” has enough classic songs to satisfy older audiences as well. Needless…
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Storks [2016] ★★★
As someone who had no idea what to expect from this animated feature, I actually left the theater with a smile on my face. This movie is a treat for kids (the screening I attended was packed with kids and they all cheered and applauded at the end) and, I daresay, for adults as well.…
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Fantastic Planet [1973] ★★★½
A psychedelic experience from start to finish, Rene Laloux’s richly rewarding “Fantastic Planet” (or “La planète Sauvage” in french) is unlike any animated movie you have ever seen. Set on a distant planet called Ygam where humans (called “Oms” here) are enslaved by giant blue creatures called Draags, a young boy called Terr dares to…
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Kubo And The Two Strings [2016] ★★★★
Part lyricism, part entertainment, “Kubo and the Two Strings” is living proof that animated movies cannot only equal live-action storytelling, but they can surpass it in every way possible. Leave it to Travis Knight, who was the lead animator on the amazing “Coraline”, to make his directing debut with a ground breaker. Part of Kubo’s…
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The Secret Life Of Pets [2016] ★★★
Ever wondered what your pets do when you leave the house? The people behind “The Secrets Life of Pets” have got it all figured out. Some listen to loud music while others invite their friends over for a fun-filled day. For Max the dog (voiced by Louis C.K), his quiet life is disrupted when his…
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Kung Fu Panda 3 [2016] ★★★
I watch every movie with a “3” in its title expecting the worst. But it seems that the people behind “Kung Fu Panda 3” have managed to break the curse. This sequel is as colorful and as entertaining as the previous installments and I couldn’t be happier to report that. Jack Black scores yet another…
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Zootropolis [2016] ★★★½
I’m a sucker for Disney movies. But while I enjoyed most of their recent features (“Frozen”, “Big Hero 6”), I can’t remember the last time I loved a Disney animated movie as much as I loved “Zootropolis” (or “Zootopia” in the States). It evokes the best qualities of classic Disney, while adding fresh elements that seem damn…
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The Peanuts Movie [2015] ★★★
After years of waiting, it’s a pleasure to finally sink into “The peanuts Movie”, the latest animated movie from Blue Sky Studios that radiates charm like no other film of its genre. The classic characters that Charles M. Shulz created for his series of “Charlie Brown” stories have an irresitible appeal that carries over beautifully to the movie.…
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The Little Prince [2015] ★★★
A book that many people considered unfilmable has inspired one of the year’s most riveting and rewarding movies. I don’t like using hype words, but I found “The Little Prince” truly magical and completely immersive. Rather than observing the story from a distance we’re made to feel part of its leading character’s remarkable journey. As the movie…
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Hotel Transylvania 2 [2015] ★★★
This sequel to the 2012 surprise hit put a smile on my face from start to finish. So what if it comes up short in originality and surprise? It’s still hard to resist. Adam Sandler reprises his role as Count Dracula, who is worried that his half-human, half-vampire grandson, Dennis, isn’t showing signs of being a…
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Inside Out [2015] ★★★½
Far too many contemporary animated movies are like fast food, easily digested and just easily forgotten. Then there’s the folks at Pixar, who never fail to impress me. Their latest feature, “Inside Out”, is an amazing achievement, for a variety of reasons. It’s a breathtaking ride into the realm of pure imagination. Its story isn’t easily encapsulated, and…
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Minions [2015] ★★★
It’s difficult to talk about “Despicable Me” without mentioning the Minions. Family audiences have turned these unusual characters into a certified smash. I’m not surprised. Five years have turned the first two “Despicable Me” movies into a DVD babysitter for kids. Eventually, the Minions had to get their own vehicle. So what if it comes…
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Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet [2015] ★★½
Khalil Gibran’s timeless masterpiece is among the most popular poetry books ever written, selling over 100 million copies in forty languages since its publication in 1923. And when people talk about it with affection and even passion, one could always hope that a screen adaptation can find some way to replicate those feelings. But let’s face it: even good…
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Big Hero 6 [2014] ★★★
Talk all you want about technique, but a good animated film depends on story and character, and it’s those vital ingredients that make “Big Hero 6” so fresh and entertaining. It’s also a pleasure to see a movie meant for kids that’s clever but not too reliant on visuals. The hero here is a boy…
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Planes : Fire & Rescue [2014] ★★
The first “Planes” was one of the weakest Disney animated features. So my question is: Who ordered a sequel? Rating: 2/4
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How To Train Your Dragon 2 [2014] ★★★
I expect family audiences to turn this sequel to 2010’s surprise animated hit into a certified smash. And I’d be pleased. Four years have turned “How To Train Your Dragon” into a DVD babysitter with kids enjoying multiple viewings of Hiccup and his pet dragon Toothless. But I have to admit: I approached this sequel…
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Rio 2 [2014] ★★
The first “Rio” was a huge hit and one of my favorite animated movies of 2011. But even animation isn’t immune to the greed that drives Hollywood studios nowadays. That’s how an imaginative feature has managed to spawn a pointless sequel. The first film had everything going for it: an ingenious storyline, an unusual setting,…
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