friday wrap-up: the best of the best

For those of you who do not know, our marketing director, (Kelsey) is my sister, and one of the great things about working with her is we get reminisce about our time growing up together.  Lately we have been stuck on great animated movies from our past and that got me thinking about what are the greatest animated movies of all time, well, at least the ones I think are great.  When I started looking into what others were saying I was appalled by the great classics that were overlooked!  Just because their not all Disney doesn’t mean they wen’t excellent movies!  Let’s get started with my list of great animated films.

10.  The Adventures of Mark Twain – Is that a nightmare waiting for me when I go to sleep?

This project was directed by the classic claymation director Will Vinton, best known for his work on the California Rasins.  The movie centers around some of Mark Twain’s classic stories and to be honest with you, I don’t believe this is a good movie for kids.  I put it on the list because it is a classic and great example of the art of claymation but if look at some of the work by Twain it could be a bit much for kids.  The story is based on a quote that Twain gave toward the end of his life about keeping his appointment with Haley’s Commet.  To put it lightly it seems as though Twain started to lose himself toward the end of his life.

One of the scenes from this movie was actually banned from television and if you have ever seen it, you know why. The section of the story is called The Mysterious Stranger and is based on a scene from a short novel by Twain of the same name.  The book is an interesting look at the depravity of man, hypocrisy of religion, and makes the argument that life for man is but a dream and ultimately useless.  The version that was set aside in the movie would give a child nightmares for the better part of their young lives.  What this removed section does however is add to the cult following and mystery of this movie.  I won’t post the link to the banned section.  I am sure if you want to see it you are smart enough to know where to look.  Check out the rest of the list.

9.  Bambi – Hey, where did mom wander off to?

Yep, Bambi was one of those classics that helped start it all. The movie is based on the book, Bambi, A Life in the Woods. by Austrian author Felix Salten.  I think ever kid remembers watching this movie and how it felt when Bambi is hanging out not bothering anyone and a sound rings out.  Ahhh?  What was that?  Oh yeah his mom is killed by a hunter.  (Out come tears for millions of children around the world).  Bambi is left alone to grow up in the shadow of a great leader, his crazy big father who is always hanging out on a ridge in the back ground.  Don’t think it was lost on all of us that the bad guy in Bambi is Man.  A forest fire?  Dang humans.  

8.  Animal Farm – There are a lot of angry pigs hanging around.

So here is another cartoon that will probably be lost on the kids but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a great cartoon.  It is based on the novel of the same name by George Orwell.  The story is an allegory and political satire about the time leading up to and during the Stalin era before WWII.  Yeah this little animated movie can get pretty heavy touching on subjects like ignorance, indifference, hate, greed and the effects of such ways of life, but it is also a great representation of animation during the 1950′s.  Babe probably wouldn’t have the stomach to hang out with these pigs but it would be kind of funny to see him try. 

7.  Beauty and the Beast - If you ever call my wife a beast again I will have your head.

Now here is a tale as old as time.  Beauty and the Beast is a tradition French fairy tale.  The first publication of the story dates back to the mid 17oo’s.  Many film versions have been made and in 1991 Disney got in the game releasing their version.  What was great about this adaptation is that a lot of new technology was coming out at that time and Beauty and the Beast captured it, well, beautifully.  I wish he would have stayed as the beast however, his human form was terrible!  

6.  Aladdin – When Robbin Williams annoyances actually worked in a movie

Disney’s film adaptation of Aladdin is based on an Arab folktale and is considered a shinning example of the Disney Renaissance.  The story follows a young, poor kid from the streets and follows his adventure with a genie, a princess, a carpet, and a monkey while they run from an annoying bird and his master Jafar who is bent on ruling the world.  Robin Williams cuts loose as the ever-faithful Genie while he tries to get into as much trouble as possible.  A great example of Disney’s dominance in release high action, drama, comedy, and musicals.  Aladdin has it all.

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5.  Robin Hood – Maid Marion is a Fox

As far as music goes, this animated classic is number one on the list.  This Disney adaptation of the classic Robin Hood story is often left off the list of great animated movies.  It is a completely underrated movie and when it was released not much was ever said about it, which is a shame.  The video above is just one example of the great music that is filled in this movie.  I remember watching this one over and over as a kid.  Oooodalally!  Follow Robin Hood as he fights evil and vies for the heart of Maid Marion.

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4.  Toy Story – Pull Woody’s string, he has some wise-cracks for the space man

Toy Story was the first Disney/Pixar film and the first full length movie to be done in CGI.  I just have to mention how much I love the fact that Disney could not move into the next generation of animation so they bought the company that was doing the job.  You have to love tons and tons of cash!  Toy Story is the one that started the craze of CGI in animation and today it rare to see a cartoon animated in more tradition ways.  The movie follows a group of toys that come to life when their owners are not around or not paying attention.  Who didn’t love Mr. Potato Head?  This is now one of the most cherished animated movies of all time.

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.3.  The Brave Little Toaster- No one likes a wet blanket

The Brave Little Toaster is another one of those classic movies that is completely underrated.  When I was in 8th grade I got my teacher to show it as a great representation of story telling through inanimate objects along with the fact it is a great “road” story.  This movie has a lot of interesting twists and turns and uses music in much different ways than tradition big animated movies.  The movie does a good job of being kid friendly along with adding a lot of elements that adults can appreciate.  The scene in the junk yard and when the group reaches the misfits?  (Kind of awesomely creepy).  This is one of those classics you can quote for the rest of your life!

.2.  The Lion King- Gotta love a kids flick that brings in elements of Nazi Germany

I can hear Kelsey now, angry that I placed her beloved Lion King second on the list rather than first.  The truth is this is one of my favorite animated movies of all time.  You have so many great elements that harken back to some classic literature and themes.  The movie is good for kids and adults which makes it one of those rare wins in both categories.  The music is of course excellent, as most Disney films are, (who doesn’t remember the Nazi Germany scene with Scar and the hyenas?).  The Lion King explores the classic ideas of loss, ones place in the world, and the decisions that we have to make and the responsibilities that follow.  This is truly one of the greatest animated films of all time, in fact, one of the best movies of our time.  But there is one animated classic that I believe stands ahead of this great film.

.1)  The Land Before Time- Three-Horns don’t play with Long-Necks!

It is fitting that the number one animated movie on the list involves the “king of all predators.”  This movie is sort of the original Lion King and deals with many of the same themes but does it in a way, in my opinion, that has stronger character development.  Littlefoot has to deal with the harsh realities of life when his mother willing gives her life to save that of her only son.  Littlefoot believes it is his fault at first but realizes what the true meaning of sacrifice is.  Much like the Lion King, a gut-wrenching scene unfolds as Littlefoot sit with his mother before she dies.  She tells him that she will always be with him as he continues his journey to the Great Valley.  Littlefoot meets up with an unlikely band as they try to navigate the challenging landscape and dodge the ever present Sharptooth.  This is one of those classic animated movies that gets by without song and dance which is fairly unique in the world of animated movies.  The music that accompanies the movie is fantastic and fits right into the story of these small dinosaurs trying to survive in a harsh world.  Many keep this movie off of the list of great animated movies, but in this office Land Before Time stands as the king.