Best & Worst: CGI Animated Movies
Technological Wonders and Blunders
By Matt MaytumAug 11th 2010Best: Finding Nemo (2003)
In 1995, Pixar laid down the gauntlet to anyone thinking of working in the animation field with Toy Story, the first ever fully CGI-animated 'toon. Still one of the finest animated films ever made, its highs have rarely been reached, except by the Pixar bods themselves, like with this top notch underwater adventure.
Finding Nemo, Pixar's biggest earner until Toy Story 3 surpassed it this summer, is a textbook example of the genius of the pioneers' work. Startlingly good animation (the deep sea setting gifted the animators a whole new palette of colours and textures to play with) somehow takes a back seat to the touching story and witty script.
If Marlin's journey occasionally threatens to become a little too episodic, there are plenty of emotional jolts to drag you right back into the action. Finding Nemo also showcases Pixar's ability to bring to life a staggering variety of characters in an extremely limited timeframe, without ever overcrowding.
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Comments
matty2392
Aug 11th 2010, 13:51
i dont think cars is that bad obviously compare it to up or wall.e and its not pixars best work but it doesnt deserve to be in the worst section
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Bex1310
Aug 11th 2010, 13:59
I'm sorry but Ice Age 3 does not deserve to be among the 'worst' movies at all. Granted it might not be as good as the first of the franchise, but the helium gas scene deserves a nod of appreciation as it is hilarious! Not to mention the humourously named eggs...
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kardom1
Aug 11th 2010, 15:34
Cars may not be as impressive as the majority of Pixar films but my 5 year old son and most of his classmates absolutely adore it and it usually their favourite film. Don't think it deserves to be on the worst list. Maybe the least impressive of Pixar but still shines above the majority of the others on the list.
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Hadouken76
Aug 11th 2010, 19:30
compared to Valiant or Magic Roundabout, Cars is Avatar. God Valiant, even Ricky Gervais as a pigeon is still Ricky Gervais...
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Ichi1
Aug 11th 2010, 19:54
I can understand not wanting to include every Pixar movie and basically turn this into another Pixar butt kissing list. But there is no way in hell that any of your non-Pixar "bests" are better than The Incredibles. The isn't a movie on this list better than The Incredibles.
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matty2392
Aug 11th 2010, 19:57
wheres kung fu panda in the best section
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juhiroddam
Aug 12th 2010, 5:30
Both Kung Fu Panda and How To Train Your Dragon deserve to be in the 'Best' list. Dreamworks have really started holding their own against Pixar!
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TheTingler
Aug 12th 2010, 8:22
Ice Age 3 sticks out like a sore thumb in that list. You avoid repetition for the entire 28-strong list, but for some reason you went for two Ice Ages? I would've rather you picked the awful Shrek 3, which contains about two funny jokes in it. And if you were hurting for c**p CGI movies, Valiant and The Magic Roundabout as mentioned.
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daskoyne
Aug 12th 2010, 13:22
I agree that the Incredibles should be on the best list (one my my favourite films animated or otherwise) and I'd have found space for Monster House also.
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DeFantom
Aug 12th 2010, 15:09
As mentioned before - no The Incredibles? Inconceivable! It's nearly the best film Brad Bird ever directed (the best is still The Iron Giant).
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Burtie
Aug 12th 2010, 22:49
Interesting piece, although this list has some glaring omissions from it. Others have already said it, but how on earth has The Incredibles failed to make the cut?! Kung Fu Panda and How to Train your Dragon are also fantastic in their own right, and would place higher than Cloudy or Flushed Away IMHO. While I of course agree that Toy Story 2 is worthy of the ‘best’ list, if the reviewer considers that it is the ‘least good’ of the bunch, then why no Toy Story 1 or 3 on here? They work so well as a trilogy (albeit not a pre-conceived trilogy such as Star Wars or Lord of the Rings) it may have been better to group them together than ignore them completely? I feel the need to stick up for The Tale of Despereaux; not 5 stars by any stretch of the imagination, however, it had a heart, good morals, and strong themes running through it. I am sorry, but how on earth does Cars get on the ‘worst’ list when the following have managed to escape… The Magic Roundabout (or Doogle for our American cousins out there) Delgo The Reef (Which the reviewer mentions as worst than Shark Tale, but doesn’t include?) Space Chimps Happily Never After They are all hindered by their budgets so I accept it is slightly unfair to compare them to the big boys, but that is no excuse for weak story, horrid design and character work, p**s poor voice acting and terrible ‘jokes’. They represent everything that is wrong with animation, and why a lot of the public still consider animation to be a children’s medium.
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scuzz80
Aug 15th 2010, 15:35
I would have to argue for inclusion of 'Monster House'. Its a throw back to those great kids films of the eighties that we all love such as the Goonies. Its brave enough to attempt to incorporate a little hint of darkness into modern family cinema. What about '9'? What it lacks in a satisfying resolution it more than makes up in mood. Its visual style was a breath of fresh air. 'How to train your Dragon' was easily Dreamworks best offering so far, the 3D flight sequences were nothing short of spectacular. In reality it seems almost unfair to compare the majority of CGI films to anything produced by Pixar. They are actually far more prolific and consistent than any of the major mainstay studios, so much so that we now expect every Pixar movie to be get a five star rating and earn in the realms of a billion dollars worldwide. That in itself should put everything in perspective. Every other studio is playing catch-up and will be for some time.
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Porkchopexpress
Feb 28th 2011, 14:33
What no Avatar!? For shame....*Runs away*
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Krovvy
Mar 8th 2011, 0:00
Cars should be replaced by Delgo. Dinosaur should be replaced by Happily N'Ever After Ice Age 3 should be replaced by Space Chimps Tale of Desperaux should be replaced by Fly Me To The Moon Monsters vs. Aliens doesn't deserve to be on the list of best. It's one of my least favorite Dreamworks movies. It could have easily been replaced by Kung Fu Panda or How to Train Your Dragon. Replace ANY Pixar movie with The Incredibles. It's much more deserving.
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