Animation not reserved to Children

Reader Comments

1. husky 03/09/2007 @ 2:40am

   “Look at Pixar’s Cars. It makes cars look cute when they’re destroying the planet. It’s awful.”

   And all those damn kids playing with toy cars don´t they know that, by extension, they are destroying the planet! By playing with their toy cars they are propagating the idea that cars are, somehow, “cool”. Damn them!

2. swarez 03/09/2007 @ 3:43am

   Well it all comes down to money and film companies are in the business of making money first and foremost. I don’t think an adult animated film made in the US has made money since the 70’s or the 80’s when Raplph Bakshi was considered a genious. People in the US, and over here in Iceland mind you, largely view animation as kiddie fodder and don’t take the artform seriously. Wasn’t Titan I.E. the last semi adult oriented film they tried to make and it bombed? Animation costs too much to risk making films for adults only, unless some hot director gets behind it but even then I doupt it would make enough to warrant to make more. Simply not good business. I wish it wasn’t so but it’s the sad truth.

3. Tuan Jim 03/09/2007 @ 5:14am

   I’m a little curious about this “brilliant new animation” coming out of France as well.  Is Last putting up all the 10 mill. or is any of it coming from gov’t arts funding grants or anything like that?

   Judging from the reviews here if not elsewhere, the excellent animation in Renaissance didn’t make much of a good film either - though I’ll certainly admit that I haven’t seen it yet and I’d like to check it out when it eventually hits DVD.

   The exclusivity in the article regarding “Hollywood” vs. Europe with no mention of Japan, etc.  was a little disturbing considering the regular adult-focused animated features being released there.

4. Wolf 03/09/2007 @ 10:54am

   Honestly, I thought Cars was entertaining but I wasn’t gushing over it as so many other critics were.  I did enjoyed Monster House however….As for Happy Feet, I didn’t see it so I can’t comment. 

   Getting back to topic at hand, the discussion of “Animation not reserved to Children” is something I had with friends so many times in the past and we whole heartly agree with all the points in this piece.  The sad truth as already mention is that money talks and as long as people fork out money to see these kiddy animation, Hollywood studios will continue to make them.  There is so much potantial in this meduim to explore other genre.  I often turn to animation from Japan to get my non-children fix.  In my opinion, they are way ahead in the traditional animation, technically and artisically.

    

   The animated film this year that I’m really looking forward to see is TMNT.  Sure, its a PG rated animation and features talking animals with slapstick humor but from what I read in interviews from director Kevin Munroe, there are parts that will appeal to the 20-30 age group which is the intended target audience.  It win me over just by the fact it features martial art action and monster.  Also, I grown up with the cartoon so I’ll watch it for the nostagic factor.  Kevin’s next project is Gatchaman, a sci-fi adventure based on an old anime, and he wants to do a edgy take on the story.  Orginally, he and Imagi Animation studios were working on Cat Tale but shelf it because of the over saturation of “cheerful talking animals” animated films we see too often.  Good for them!  TMNT will be release in about two weeks from now and a week after, Disney’s Meet the Robinson will followed.  It would make for an interesting case study to see which film will preveiled on top.  I’m pulling for TMNT to succeed so it may somehow convince other studios to tackle on mature content in animated films.  I always picture Sin City would be perfect for animation or perhaps Halo.  Just check out the Halo 3 teaser trailer to see what I mean. 

    

   Another upcoming animated film that may appeal to adults is Beowulf.  Its from the same director of Polar Express and its coming out in November.  All hope for animation in Hollywood is not loss perhaps.

5. Felix 03/09/2007 @ 1:45pm

   “And all those damn kids playing with toy cars don´t they know that, by extension, they are destroying the planet! By playing with their toy cars they are propagating the idea that cars are, somehow, “cool”.”

   Well, one of the reasons I disliked “Cars” was because it was such a soulless blatant corporate byproduct that really failed to entertain me. “Cars” had nothing new to add, and Pixar seemed to be under the pressure of many influences, and the entire film felt almost like a purposeful demystifying of the environmental harm cars can inflict.

   Make cars look pleasant, and kids are raised to think that cars really can do no harm. Like cigarette companies, you have to get them at a very young age. It’s how companies market products.

6. Byron Dunn 03/09/2007 @ 5:08pm

   So you’re asking for more animation for adults and you mention nothing from Japan?

   That omission aside, you make some very valid points but you make them with the usual brands of snobbery and venom that have been so destructive to the push for higher art.  It’s just my own personal belief but I feel that the public is hungry for more than the usual fare they’re being given and they’re willing to take a chance on something new but so often they hear comments like yours that vicariously dismiss them and they decide its not worth their time.

   In other words, I don’t think you’re helping animation grow.  You’re shrinking it again.

7. Felix 03/09/2007 @ 5:21pm

   If you’re not addressing me, by all means forgive my candor, but here’s my response if you are, because I’m not entirely sure who you’re addressing here:

   “So you’re asking for more animation for adults and you mention nothing from Japan?”

   If you read the article, it was more Europe’s relationship with animation and it being contrasted with America.

   “That omission aside, you make some very valid points but you make them with the usual brands of snobbery and venom that have been so destructive to the push for higher art.”

   How is pushing for standards in an art form that’s been relegated to talking animals snobbery? When you can compare the people in the US like Richard Linklater who have taken animation into a new plateau, as well as the European animators who see animation as a different way to tell a stories, looking down on a film that features penguins tap dancing, whatever the environmental malarkey it supposedly includes, it’s not too much to ask for animation that appeals to an older audience.

   You make the comparison of japanese animation, yet you’ve failed to note how japanese animation has been one of the major contributors to the lack of true quality in America. Animated shows are now thirty minute commercials with commercials in-between, while random stories, with awful writing are helped with awful animation of folks with big eyes, and slim bodies.

   Japanese Animation has appealed to adults, that’s true, but they’ve also been the downfall of quality animation. Series like “Talespin,” and “Johnny Quest” had massive arcs that never talked down to children.

   “It’s just my own personal belief but I feel that the public is hungry for more than the usual fare they’re being given and they’re willing to take a chance on something new but so often they hear comments like yours that vicariously dismiss them and they decide its not worth their time.”

   Well, then we’ll have the truly open minded learning about new animation. Because I agree with the article and I stand by what I say. The Oscar category is laughable, the Disney films while breaking ground technically are mostly mediocre, and I’m sure America could stand for deeper animated films beyond zoo animals.

   “In other words, I don’t think you’re helping animation grow. You’re shrinking it again.”

   Hardly. I’m influencing an open mind beyond what Disney and Dreamworks has to offer. I’m insisting people should seek out new forms of the genre, instead of taking what we’re fed. While we’re watchiing movies about penguins and fractured fairy tales with pop culture references, there’s a whole other world of animation waiting for lovers of the medium like me, and it’s not a coincidence this work is hard to acquire with Disney and Dreamworks currently dominating the film world.

   They have the power to open people up, but if its not worth merchandising, they keep it out of the public eye, and that’s a fact.

8. Husky 03/12/2007 @ 9:30am

   “Well, one of the reasons I disliked “Cars” was because it was such a soulless blatant corporate byproduct that really failed to entertain me. “Cars” had nothing new to add, and Pixar seemed to be under the pressure of many influences, and the entire film felt almost like a purposeful demystifying of the environmental harm cars can inflict.”

   I got that this was what you were saying and I´m with you man, everyone on this website is with you. There is far to much crap animation out there. For every Mind Game or FLCL there are a million CGI cutey-wutey animal crapfests. I just wanted to poke a little fun at you for that environmental comment, just thought it was a bit over the top.

9. vivien leech 05/18/2007 @ 12:38pm

   http://www.youtube.com/vivienpeach

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