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BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: OUR ANALYSIS

The epic Beowulf is one of the top contenders for the Best Animated Feature Oscar

FEATURES

By Myles Hughes

As of this writing, it’s almost December. This means, for those of us who live and breathe around movies and Oscar buzz, that there’s just over a month left in the year for film releases. Prediction shortlists are narrowing everywhere, and in some instances are already finalizing (not the smartest idea, since a movie’s chances can still surprise even after the year is over). While most categories require a hefty amount of guess-work, more specific categories, like Best Foreign Language Film, Best Documentary, and of course Best Animated Feature, have had official AMPAS submissions revealed. In examining the latter, 12 films have been singled out this year to vie for a nomination, though only 3 will make an appearance at the ceremony. Here is a look at each of the listed contenders, followed by my predictions. It is important to note that in predicting animated films, the regular factors for major films (critical or commercial success) do not necessarily apply in scoring a nomination, though they certainly help. Movies that have made breakthroughs in the field of the animation itself, or in its application towards telling a story, are the most likely to be recognized.

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS
Based on the classic cartoon series about a group of 4-foot, talking chipmunks who live with some guy and get into a variety of shenanigans (I think they had a rock band at some point, but my memory fails me), Alvin and co. are getting the Garfield treatment later this winter. Considering that the film isn’t so much animated as live action with three CG animals, I highly doubt it will be seriously considered.
VERDICT: Not happening.

AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE COLON MOVIE FILM FOR THEATERS
Based on the cult TV show about a group of slackers living together (who just happen to be a variety of fast food items), this film opened this spring to an almost unanimous critical thrashing, followed by a weak box office run. On the point of its animation, this film breaks no new ground (in fact it looks rather cheap), and is incredibly unlikely to make any impression on voters.
VERDICT: It won’t make the cut.

BEE MOVIE
After a lengthy hiatus from notable screen work following the end of his TV show, Jerry Seinfeld steps back into the spotlight with this animated insect comedy. Despite a less-than-favorable critical reception, it does have strong box office at the moment and though the animation isn’t especially groundbreaking, it’s decent enough to earn a nomination in a weaker year. However, I’m inclined to think that DreamWorks is going to be pushing harder for Shrek The Third to get the nod instead.
VERDICT: It could happen, but don’t hold your breath.

BEOWULF
Now if you’re looking for groundbreaking animation, look no further. Though director Robert Zemeckis utilized the same technology in The Polar Express (which failed to receive a Best Animated Feature nomination), it has made notable leaps and bounds here; and a combination of strong reviews and growing commercial profits could put this adaptation of the old Danish poem a strong candidate. The major pitfall for the film will be whether a film which uses motion capture technology on actual actors will be considered equal to the other contenders. For now, I will consider it a legitimate contender.
VERDICT: If it passes the Animation standards, the film has at least a sizable chance of scoring a nomination.

MEET THE ROBINSONS
The 2nd film on this list to utilize 3-D effects and glasses (Beowulf being the first), this original future fantasy film made a decent impression on critics and the public earlier in the year. The lack of buzz since then, however, has weakened its prospects, and Disney will be pushing its support entirely in the direction of frontrunner Ratatouille. At this point, the film is little more than a runner-up.
VERDICT: Its prospects are about on level with those of Bee Movie: it’s still possible, but don’t count on it.

PERSEPOLIS
Here we have the major dark horse of this category. Though Persepolis was entered as France’s official bid for Best Foreign Language Film, there has been a touch of category confusion as to whether it will run in that race or this one. Foreign films have been nominated in the Animated category before (The Triplets of Belleville, Howl’s Moving Castle) and even won it before (Spirited Away). Few have heard of Persepolis outside of the festival circuit, but those who know it are singing its praise. If its distributors can give it a smart campaign, then I imagine that its story (about a girl growing up in Iran during the Iraqi conflict) and evocative style will overcome the relatively simple animation and grant it a nod.
VERDICT: As long as it runs in the Animated race, I can see it as a frontrunner, if early word is to be believed. If it runs Foreign instead, it will almost definitely be nominated.

RATATOUILLE
All right, now if there were one safe foregone conclusion in the entire Oscar season this year, it would be that Ratatouille would be nominated for Best Animated Feature. I would personally be shocked and appalled if Pixar’s latest (about a rat aspiring to be a chef in Paris, which opened to rave reviews and strong commercial success) did not receive the nod. Indisputably, it is the category’s frontrunner.
VERDICT: The most likely nominee, and a very safe early bet to win.

SHREK THE THIRD
The latest film in the fairy tale franchise was released to mild reception, if still decent box office returns. Both previous entries were nominated in the category, which may or may not be to this film’s advantage: it’s possible the Academy may be tired of the jolly green ogre and his exploits. Not to mention that this edition is largely considered the worst of the series, and with no real improvement in the technology, I find the odds to be rather slim.
VERDICT: It has an outside shot… at being a runner-up. Prospects are definitely uncertain and shaky.

THE SIMPSONS MOVIE
The adaptation of the beloved animated sitcom has been over a decade in the making and some critics would argue that the end product wasn’t exactly worth the wait. For the most part, however, the film had a strong critical and commercial release. Its nomination prospects rest on sympathy: voters who are nostalgic not just for the show, but for the classic 2-D animation style that is nearing death in an increasingly computer-generated industry.
VERDICT: Its prospects are strong, but it’s also the top contender that has the biggest prospect of falling through the cracks.

SURF’S UP
I guess it started with March of the Penguins but at some point over the last few years, between Madagascar and Happy Feet, penguins have reached a new high in terms of popularity. Their entry this year is the surfing mockumentary Surf’s Up, which has been praised for attempting something new with the genre in addition to being a decent commercial success. In a weaker year, these factors would probably be enough to ensure a nod, but considering the competition, not to mention that a penguin movie won the award last year, it might not be enough to make the cut.
VERDICT: It’s a runner-up, for sure, but that may be all.

TEKKONKINKREET
I must have missed this one when it was released earlier this year but suffice to say it’s this year’s big Anime entry. It had a good critical reception (actually, those who liked it loved it), but the fact that very few will recognize it when opposed to all of the higher-profile competition makes it a rather remote prospect.
VERDICT: It’s very unlikely to hold a candle up to any of its opposition.

TMNT
Yet another big screen adaptation of a classic TV series, the saga of mutant turtles with ninja skills, teenage mentalities, and Renaissance names failed to click with the vast majority of critics. The undistinguished animation and lack of appeal to older audiences make its nomination prospects distinctly remote.
VERDICT: Don’t expect it to happen.

PREDICTED NOMINEES

1. Ratatouille
2. Beowulf
3. Persepolis or The Simpsons Movie (depending on which category Persepolis runs in)

PREDICTED RUNNER-UPS

4. The Simpsons Movie (if Persepolis runs in the Animated category)
5. Surf’s Up
6. Shrek The Third

What are your current Best Animated Feature predictions?

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