Jack and the Cuckoo-clock Heart (Jack et la mécanique du cœur) (2013)

Everything old is new again as modern animation finds ways to tell a story differently

Lupin III (2014)

Madcap, frenetic, and cheekily good-humoured, Lupin III is a great introduction to a manga classic

Epic (2013)

If you ever wondered why Epic didn’t feel engaging, this is my answer

The Wind Rises (風立ちぬ) (2013)

In the interwar years, a boy obsessed with airplanes grows up into an aviation designer wunderkind. His talent and his passion will be his triumph and his tragedy.

Rise of the Guardians (2012)

Taking a different tack from its source material, holiday mascots in Rise of the Guardians are reworked into comic book style superheroes. You're really watching an Avengers of Holiday Mascots rather than a Holiday Mascot Movie.

Watch for: an interesting way to solve the Adult Audience Problem in a children's movie. As a plus, you'll have fun identifying, appreciating, and second-guessing the superhero trope and narratives that power this kiddie flick.

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 21 November 2012.

Wolf Children (おおかみこどもの雨と雪) (2012)

Like Mamoru Hosoda's previous work in The girl who leapt through time and Summer Wars, this is another socially conservative animation...

celebrating the bonds of family and community, the selflessness that a healthy community showers on individuals, the selflessness that parents shower on their children, and how individuals grow up and find maturity when they find their place in the larger community.

Watch for: the Miyazaki-esque ecological message, which makes the preachy moralising easier to swallow.

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 5 September 2012.

Brave (2012)

Disney's most untraditional princess isn't interested in boys, doesn't want to get married, and doesn't want to be a proper lady.

This untraditional Disney animation doesn't have her change any of what she stands for in her Hero's Journey either.

Watch for: How far storytelling and gender norms have changed since Walt Disney made cartoons.

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 24 April 2012.

Ice Age 4: Continental drift (2012)

In a few years, the concept of the Ice Age series might be untouchable in Hollywood. That's why despite its very well-meaning harping on issues like Evolution, Climate Change, Non Traditional Families, we'll still watch this. Hell, we'll still watch this in spite of the recycling of Skrat jokes.

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 11 July 2012.

Madagascar 3: Europe's most wanted (2012)

The cast of escaped zoo animals land themselves into more madcap adventures in Madagascar 3.

The gimmick this time:  Following the example of Kungfu Panda, a lean script that doesn't allow for much flabby ad-libbing from the comedians.

Watch for: the most sophisticated comedy in the series, very accurately spoofing Hong Kong action films and Hollywood romcoms. Also, a brilliant showcase of 3D animation 1 hour in.

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 6 June 2012.

Arthur Christmas (2011)

Santa misses a delivery to a very important child one Christmas and it's up to Arthur, his other, undistinguished son, to save the day.

Highly predictable, Arthur Christmas is also highly entertaining thanks to Aardman Studio's detailed creation of a high tech South Pole.

And since it's Aardman we're talking about, the highlight of the film are its visual comedy, madcap capers, and English wit.

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 30 November 2011.

Happy Feet Two (2011)

The son of Mumbles the dancing penguin saves the day once more when the colony is threatened by another climate change disaster.

While being a sequel, it's not entirely predictable and manages to subvert the formula. Better yet, it's less shrill and hectoring about ecology than the first film.

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 16 November 2011.

Animals United (Konferenz der Tiere) (2010)

This low budget Madagascar with a strong ecological message about global warming, human responsibilities, and environmental activism has going for it Teutonic earnestness.

Meaning it lacks humour. And is relentlessly preachy.

On the plus side, it has a far more realistic treatment of 3D than other 3D movies and animations. And a glorious photorealistic Savannah backdrop.

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 8 June 2011.

Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

Whoever thought of the first Kung Fu Panda must have been a video store clerk who watched too many 1950s—60s Shaw Shaolin kungfu movies.

In a similar vein, the second Kung Fu Panda is a homage to 1980s Hong Kong chopsocky actioners, especially the Once Upon a Time in China series.

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 28 May 2011.

Mars needs moms (2011)

If you've been to Disneyland, you'll know how Waltz's House of Mouse has become an inclusive, affirming company over the years.

It's probably paying off karmic debts for Uncle Waltz's role in Hollywood's communist blacklist.

Forget about the awkward motion-capture animation of Mars Needs Moms. Relish in the sheer delight of watching a Disney pro-family film that says it’s okay if boys were more of mommy’s boys, if girls are allowed to play soldiers and guns, and if dads give more free hugs and took an active interest in changing baby diapers...


Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 10 March 2011.

Gnomeo and Juliet (2010)

Not to be confused with Tromeo and Juliet (in case you were searching for it).

This kiddie version of Romeo and Juliet has just the right amount of silly (the warring clans are garden gnomes!) and just the right amount of bizarre (the soundtrack is full of Elton John hits).

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 3 March 2011.

Yogi Bear (2010)

Unless you were born in the 60s, you're too young to remember watching The Yogi Bear Show on TV.

This mixed CGI and live action feature film is a nostalgic throwback to 1980s children’s comedy films, replete with 1980s children comedy conventions and tropes.

It was far more entertaining than I expected.

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 22 December 2010.

Megamind (2010)

As Pixar retreats into making sequels, rival studios are learning how to write original stories.

Megamind subverts the superhero genre, with its anti-hero being forced to make a face turn when the Superman clone announces his retirement.

Will Ferrell is at the top of his comedy game here, making this a wacky film that stands up on repeated viewing.


Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 4 November 2010.

How to train your dragon (2010)

The perfect picture for a Dragon for Dummies guide?

Viking boy meets dragon.

Viking boy falls in love with dragon.

The rest is history.

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 24 March 2010.

Yona Yona Penguin (よなよなペンギン) (2009)

And then she saw the zombie clown...

The Japanese normally don't bother with 3D animation. That's not a mistake since they've proved that they have the better imaginations, artists, and writers - so much so that Pixar is a wannabe Ghibli (see "Up").

But what happens when a veteran animator takes on 3D animation?

Read my full review at Fridae, first published on 10 March 2010.

Summer Wars (サマーウォーズ) (2009)

He was hoping the reflection from his cellphone would turn the Medusa into stone

What keeps society together?

Is it the family, with its building blocks of kinship networks?

Or is it civil society, with the voluntary associations of relationship networks?

Read my full review at Fridae.com, first published on 25 February 2010.