Key Takeaways
- Hollywood Animation: 2013 was a significant year for animated films, showcasing creativity and storytelling.
- Top Films: The list features five outstanding animated films that left a lasting impact on audiences.
- Cultural Milestones: The year also marked important cultural events, enhancing the cinematic landscape.
- Nostalgic Reflection: These films evoke nostalgia and appreciation for the evolution of animation.
Every year without fail, Hollywood and other foreign markets bring unforgettable cinematic experiences to the masses, feeding our senses with creativity, imagination, and in rare instances, the impossible. In many cases, we’re spoiled when it comes to live-action offerings, but what about animation? Today, we’re looking back on 2013, the year Flappy Bird became so addictive that its creator pulled it from app stores a year later, the Scottish synth-pop band CHVRCHES made their stunning debut with the album “The Bones of What You Believe,” and Brooklyn Nine-Nine introduced audiences to the funniest bullpen since the Police Academy movies went off patrol.
Looking back, there are several wild pop culture milestones to mark the year of “The Red Wedding.” Still, today, we’re setting our sights on the greatest animated films of 2013, with a Top 5 list that’s sure to make you feel nostalgic and appreciative of the leaps we’ve made in the cinematic art form since then.
5) The Wind Rises
Those who know about Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki’s passion for aviation were not surprised when the Godfather of Anime released The Wind Rises, an animated historical drama serving as a fictionalized biographical portrait of Jiro Horikoshi, the aeronautical engineer who designed the Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter plane used by Japan during World War II. Based on Tatsuo Hori’s 1937 novel The Wind Has Risen, Miyazaki’s intimate look at Horikoshi’s creative endeavors is a breathtaking portrait of the struggle to live a dream while others intend to use your art as a tool for destruction.
Nestled in Miyazaki’s interpretation of Hori’s novel is the portrayal of Jiro and Naoko Satomi’s blossoming courtship. Naoko is suffering from the effects of tuberculosis but chooses to live as if every moment with Jiro is a gift. Their love anchors the film in a bittersweet romance as Jiro contemplates the militaristic regime’s use of his creations. The Wind Rises is a relatively quiet film that still soars thanks to its powerful displays of emotion and insistence on finding peace in a world hellbent on tearing itself apart.
4) Monsters University
College-related comedies were all the rage from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s, then had a massive revival from the late 1990s to the mid-2000s. After so many hilarious hijinks, stolen mascots, and campus-closing catastrophes, the college comedy took a much-needed sabbatical. Then, for its fourteenth feature film and only prequel to date, Pixar unleashed Monsters University. This movie explores the origins of the iconic duo Mike Wazowski and James P. “Sulley” Sullivan, detailing the animated Odd Couple’s first encounter and sharing the valuable lessons that helped make them the model scarers they are today.
It’s not as if I haven’t heard dissenting opinions about Monsters University, but it’s also one of Pixar’s most underrated projects. The student body expands the cast by hundreds, the “Scare Games” are a blast, and the underdog fraternity Oozma Kappa introduces a lovable band of misfits that harken back to the Tri-Lambs of Revenge of the Nerds fame. While I’d still welcome a proper sequel that reunites Mike and Sulley with Boo, Monsters University is a fun Pixar rarity that serves as a playful homage to some of the most scandalous comedies of a bygone era.
3) Despicable Me 2
After introducing Gru, his girls, and the Minions in 2010’s Despicable Me, Illumination took the franchise to another level with this bigger, broader, and funnier sequel. Alright, so maybe I have a cartoon crush on Lucy Wilde, but Despicable Me 2 offers more than just introducing the franchise’s best character or capitalizing on the Minions’ skyrocketing popularity.
The sequel finds Gru retiring from villainy to raise Margo, Edith, and Agnes while operating a jam-and-jelly manufacturing business. Still, just when he thought he was out of the crime game, it pulls him back in. After getting recruited by spirited secret agent Lucy Wilde on behalf of the Anti-Villain League (AVL), the duo goes undercover to investigate Mexican restaurant owner Eduardo Pérez who might be the notorious villain El Macho.
Despicable Me 2 elevates every character in the franchise with Gru and Lucy’s courtship being the beating heart of this stealthy high-stakes adventure. Watching Gru stumble his way through fatherhood while battling his villainous instincts and trying his best to be smooth in front of Lucy is nothing short of hysterical; additionally, the interstitial antics of Minions provide some of their best moments. The Despicable Me franchise has managed to charm me throughout these years; this gem of a sequel might be my favorite among them.
2) Frozen
Despite becoming the bane of car rides worldwide as children sing like cats in heat to “Let It Go” on repeat, there’s no denying that Disney’s Frozen is an all-timer. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s 1844 fairytale The Snow Queen, Frozen tells an enchanting story about Princess Elsa and her sister Anna who alongside their traveling companions Kristoff, his reindeer Sven, and sentient snowman Olaf turn “the act of true love” trope on its head through endearing character dynamics sacrifice and steadfast camaraderie.
After raking in $1.28 billion at global box office, Frozen became a glittering gem in Disney’s ornate crown of animated classics. The film didn’t just entertain audiences; it had lasting cultural impact on generations of Disney fans and beyond. When people experience Elsa’s story most identify with her “outsider” identity and her desire to flee her kingdom for fear of being judged or hurting someone. Frozen serves as a beautiful reminder that no one is perfect and that abandoning your support system can lead to disaster both literally and metaphorically.
Frozen also gets points in my book for breaking convention with an ending that turns fairytales on their heads while also rewriting power and necessity of “true love’s kiss.” It speaks volumes about story that ultimately it’s Elsa and Anna’s love for one another that breaks curse rather than some white knight in polished armor with silver spoon up his ass. I’ll take strengthening familial bonds over that tired trope any day. Long live princesses Arendelle!
1) The Tale of Princess Kaguya
One of Studio Ghibli’s most unsung features is also one of its best. Directed by Japanese animation house’s co-founder Isao Takahata,The Tale of Princess Kaguya is visually arresting adaptation Japan’s oldest recorded prose narrative—the 10th-century Tale of Bamboo Cutter .
In this potent retelling treasured folklore aging bamboo cutter discovers tiny glowing girl inside stalk bamboo. While he and his wife raise her alongside their own girl quickly grows into curious young woman before joining thorny suffocating world high society. While turning away one suitor after next Princess Kaguya yearns be free chains bind her life simplicity tradition servitude men who don’t deserve her company. Instead surrendering whims men princess refuses gifts prays moon take her away from life she wants part.
Instead following footsteps other cel-animated films Takahata utilized watercolor washes eloquent sketchy charcoal lines mimic classic Japanese scroll paintings create look resembles storybook come life. Sweeping fluid art pairs incredibly well Princess Kaguya’s heightened emotional state Joe Hisaishi’s score awe-inspiring film’s messages autonomy never settling less than you deserve.
The Tale Princess Kaguya is epic every young person should see teaches trappings well-meaning love dangers societal expectations how some traditions not meant everyone. It will force you take step back look pressures we put upon young live up expectations they do not have how that’s never how love supposed work.
There you have it folks. What do you think about our Top 5 Animated Films 2013 list? Are your favorite films represented here? Are there any grievous omissions? Leave us comment let us know what your Top 5 Animated Films 2013 are! Until next time Cheers!
The post The Top 5 Animated Films of 2013 Ranked: From Ghibli Masterpieces to Disney Juggernauts appeared first on JoBlo.
