By Mikael Trench
Last year was easily one of the most eventful years for entertainment, with media of all kinds splitting fans and critics right down the middle, and taking risks in ways we never have experienced. The same can be said for the animated features of 2016. Whether it be in their art style, characters, themes or overall stories, many of the animated films of this year tried their hardest to stand out from one another and, for the most part, many of them succeeded. For animation fans, this will be a year hard to forget, so it is time to celebrate the animated films that made it so memorable with the five best of the year.
Before we start, there are some honorable mentions I would like to award:
“The Little Prince”
A Netflix original movie based off the popular novella by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, this film does a superb job at modernizing the story and its characters while still keeping the spirit of the original tale, all packaged with some well-realized 3D animation and some beautiful stop motion. While the third act is a bit clunky, the end product still leaves you more than satisfied.
“Sausage Party”
Easily one of the most shocking films of the year, “Sausage Party” is a comedic powerhouse delivering some gut busting and outrageously raunchy humor along with some surprising themes. While the animation isn’t the greatest and sometimes it does overuse the vulgar humor here and there, it is still a film that is sure to leave you dying of laughter and possibly hunger by the end.
“Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders”
One of the most underrated superhero films of the year, “Return of the Caped Crusaders” properly pays homage to the 1966 Batman TV show featuring Adam West with its over-the-top story, wacky sense of humor, absurd yet entertaining action scenes and a cast of very fun characters, while still surprising us with a surprisingly edgier side that celebrates all incarnations of Batman. Despite the cheaper animation present throughout, this is a must watch for all Batman fans.
And with that, let’s get to the list!
5. Kung Fu Panda 3
The third installment to the successful DreamWorks franchise, “Kung Fu Panda 3” is another exceptional addition to this already outstanding series. Following Po the Dragon Warrior, yet again, here we are introduced to his father who brings Po home to a hidden Panda Village to try and show him what it is like to be a panda again. However, when a new threat comes to the Valley of Peace in the form of the villainous Kai, Po must master the power of Qi and teach the rest of the Panda Village how to harness their inner dragon warrior in order to help him.
Like the other two “Kung Fu Panda” movies, this installment is full of strong characters, well-executed humor, loads of heart, and some mind-blowing action sequences. What really took me by surprise was how the film handled themes about family, with the exploration of Po’s relationship with his adoptive father, Mr. Ping, and his actual father, Li and the conflict that could arise from it. And it goes without saying, but the animation here is nothing short of breathtaking, featuring some of the most stunning visuals and backgrounds ever present in a DreamWorks film. Despite the film seeming a bit too focused on the comedy at times, some recycled formulaic plot points, and featuring a less compelling villain, this is still a superb animated film nonetheless..
4. “Finding Dory”
The sequel we never thought we needed, “Finding Dory,” came with a healthy dosage of some rather memorable surprises. The story follows Dory as she goes on a quest to find her parents at a marine institution in California, meeting a host of entertaining characters on the way.
Pixar is always a hit or miss when it comes to their sequels, but this is easily one of their finer works in that category after the “Toy Story” sequels. What really helped set this film apart from both its predecessor and many other animated films is the way that the character of Dory is treated. Here, her short term memory loss is used as both a way of delivering some well-executed comedy along with some surprisingly intense dramatic moments that work very well and was a great way of further developing her character. The new characters introduced are also a lot of fun, with Hank the octopus, Destiny the whale shark and Bailey the beluga delivering a lot of the laughs here and making the overall journey a fun one to be a part of. The animation is also top notch with the stunning, nearly photorealistic water, the great attention to detail and the superb character animation, particularly on Hank. The film does suffer from some flaws, most notably in the uselessness of many of the returning characters from “Finding Nemo,” the overly fast pace that sometimes doesn’t let us develop the characters further and the countless plot conveniences, but unlike Dory’s memory, it is the perks of this animated joyride that ultimately make it one to be remembered.
3. “Moana”
Disney perfects yet another brilliant marriage of their classic style with modern day storytelling and technology in this beautiful adventure across the Pacific Islands. Focusing on a young woman named Moana who must save her homeland from an unknown threat, she must team up with the demigod Maui to set things right and save her island home.
If there was any more convincing needed that Disney is in a modern day revival era similar to their renaissance in the 90s, this was the film to do just that. Featuring a fascinating story that is bursting with culture as well as updating the Disney formula very well by giving their main heroine some powerful motives that can teach us all about embracing where we came from, this is a refreshing sight for the eyes. The voice acting is also top notch, with newcomer Auli’i Cravalho bringing a strong personality to Moana and Dwayne Johnson bringing Maui loads of charm, energy and charisma. Add in some unbelievably beautiful and creative animation along with a collection of fantastic songs, and this is sure to become a bonafide Disney classic.
2. “Zootopia”
“Zootopia” took just about everyone by surprise and has crafted one of Disney’s best written animated features by far. Taking place in the anthropomorphic animal city of Zootopia, we follow Zootopia’s first rabbit cop, Judy Hopps, as she tries her best to solve a case concerning some missing animals. Along the way, she must team up with a street-smart fox named Nick Wilde to try and solve the case while outrunning the constant doubt being put on her from everyone about her abilities as an officer.
What most of us thought would just be a silly movie about talking animals turned out to be one of Disney’s finest films. From its snappy pace and dialogue to its engaging detective storyline to its three dimensional characters to its stunningly detailed animation, this was one film sure to keep everyone entertained. However, what really helped set this film apart were the powerful themes concerning discrimination, prejudice and class using predator and prey as its brilliant metaphor. This element helped make the entire film so much more powerful, by making the characters and the world more relatable to audiences and giving younger viewers a lot to think about by the end. This is an energetic and entertaining adventure sure to leave you laughing and intrigued all the way through.
1. “Kubo and the Two Strings”
What may just be the most technically, creatively and stunning stop motion film of the decade so far, “Kubo and the Two Strings” deserves the crowning title of being an animated masterpiece and a groundbreaker for all that comes after. The film takes place in Ancient Japan, where a young boy named Kubo must go on a quest with a monkey and beetle to secure three weapons in order to fight off against his vengeful grandfather.
What is there to say about this overlooked animated gem? The film works on every level. The story is engaging, well-paced and full of atmosphere, taking advantage of its Japanese setting to turn out some outstandingly creative moments as well as some thought-provoking themes about creating your own legacy in life. The characters are all three-dimensional and complex, while still remaining relatable, from the charismatic Kubo to the stern Monkey to the lovably comedic Beetle. And of course, the jaw-dropping stop motion animation provided by Laika is bigger and better than anything the medium has offered before with the stunning array of visuals, environments and invigorating action sequences that are sure to keep all eyes glued to the screen. With an inspired and powerful story, lasting themes, outstanding characters and animation that pushes the possibilities of the medium in just about every way, “Kubo and the Two Strings” is truly a cinematic experience that will surely leave its mark in animation history.
We are going to remember 2016 for a lot of reasons and while we’re going to try to forget some of them, the animated features of this year will surely be worth remembering. The stories, characters and themes presented in these films have proven that the industry is only getting better and we have a lot to look forward to in the future.
