Pixar has been the main game in the animation town ever since Toy Story came alive in a deserted metaphorical toy room in 1995 and won our hearts with vividly-realised characters, clever, smart, emotionally insightful scripts and visuals so sharply drawn that you swore Woody, Buzz and the others were Continue Reading
Animation
The gloriously funny and loving dysfunction of family: The Great North (S2, E1-10)
There is so much great modern animation on television and streaming platforms. Shows like Family Guy, Bob’s Burgers, Bojack Horseman, and South Park, not to mention Centaurworld which was a highlight of 2021 for this reviewer, sparkle with incisive writing, sharp humour, pitch-perfect, fully-rounded characters and a sense of time Continue Reading
So animated! Ice Age Scrat Tales, The Seabeast and Minions: The Rise of Gru
Thank goodness for animation! In a world beset an apocalyptic level set of events from the COVID pandemic to war to climate change to, likely somewhere on the planet, zombie uprisings and aliens (over the top, true, but their existence would certainly fit the dark and dismal spirit of the Continue Reading
Movie review: Turning Red
You would think that, given the chaotic, messy make-up of human nature in general, that as a species, we’d been reasonably au fait by now with the idea that who we are, what we do, and the society we create, won’t always fit into neat and tidy boxes. But … Continue Reading
Traumatic puppyhood and possibly licensed Batman toys abound in the hilarious new clip for Dc League of Super-Pets
SNAPSHOTIt sure isn’t easy being Superman’s dog! Krypto hails from Krypton and has super-powers like his owner; but his social skills are decidedly alien at the dog park and he has no idea how to be ordinary. But when Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and the rest of the Justice Continue Reading
Good is no fun at all. Or is it? Let’s see if The Bad Guys can figure it out
SNAPSHOTIn this action comedy from DreamWorks Animation, based on the best-selling book series, a crackerjack criminal crew of animal outlaws are about to attempt their most challenging con yet—becoming model citizens. Never have there been 5 friends as infamous as The Bad Guys: dashing pickpocket Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell), seen-it-all Continue Reading
Every hero has a beginning … Lightyear debuts an all-new trailer
SNAPSHOTTo infinity and… The sci-fi action-adventure presents the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear—the hero who inspired the toy—introducing the legendary Space Ranger who would win generations of fans. Lightyear is directed by American animation filmmaker Angus MacLane, co-director on Finding Dory, and director of the shorts Toy Story of Continue Reading
The short and the short of it: The haunting exile of Migrants
SNAPSHOT“Two polar bears are driven into exile due to global warming. They will encounter brown bears along their journey, with whom they will try to cohabitate.” Migrants is a project made by students studying at PÔLE – a 2D & 3D animation cinema school based in Roubaix, France. It’s directed Continue Reading
The short and the short of it: The rule defying joy and sober awareness-raising of THE SOLOISTS
SNAPSHOTIn a small village ruled by ridiculous laws, three singing sisters and their dog rehearse for the Annual Autumn Festival. But an unexpected event will disrupt their plans. Dans un petit village régi par des lois ridicules, trois sœurs chanteuses et leur chien répètent pour le festival annuel d’automne. Mais Continue Reading
‘An idealised Australian ethos’: why Bluey is an audience favourite, even for adults without kids
Liam Burke, Swinburne University of Technology; Djoymi Baker, RMIT University; Jessica Balanzategui, Swinburne University of Technology, and Joanna McIntyre, Swinburne University of Technology Bluey, the Emmy award-winning animated series about a family of anthropomorphized cattle dogs, has become a ratings phenomenon since it was first broadcast on the ABC in Continue Reading