In 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs made its debut as the pioneering animated film in North America. This groundbreaking movie captivated both critics and audiences, leading to a surge in the production of animated features. Fast forward to today, and we find a vibrant global landscape filled with hundreds of studios creating animated films. This has resulted in an incredible variety of movies that showcase diverse artistic styles and reflect the unique visions of countless creatives.
Given the vast number of animated films produced over the years, it’s inevitable that some will be overlooked and fade from public memory. The reasons for this can range from poor quality to unfortunate timing in their release, lack of box office success, or simply being outshined by other films. Regardless of the circumstances that led to their obscurity, many of these movies deserve a second chance to be rediscovered and appreciated by new audiences.
10
‘9’ (2009)
Directed by Shane Acker
Set in a dystopian future, the film 9 follows the journey of a scientist (Alan Oppenheimer) who splits his soul into tiny beings known as Stitchpunks, hoping they can restore balance to a ravaged world. However, the last remaining Stitchpunk, 9 (Elijah Wood), inadvertently loses the scientist’s magical talisman to a monstrous robot crafted from the remains of a feline. Defying the cautious and paranoid 1 (Christopher Plummer), 9 embarks on a perilous quest to recover the talisman and save the captured Stitchpunk, 2 (Martin Landau). In his pursuit, he confronts the malevolent and sentient machine responsible for humanity’s downfall.
9 compensates for its somewhat routine narrative with a remarkable voice cast and an impressive outpouring of creativity. The design of the various robots, infused with a blend of organic and mechanical elements, is both captivating and horrifying, particularly when the Fabrication Machine begins producing new robots to hunt down the Stitchpunks. While the character development might lack depth, the talented voice actors, especially Wood, who embodies the optimistic protagonist, and Plummer, who portrays the obstinate leader, effectively breathe life into their roles.
9
- Release Date
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September 9, 2009
- Runtime
-
79 minutes
9
‘The Rescuers Down Under’ (1990)
Directed by Hendel Butoy and Mike Gabriel
After embarking on numerous missions together for the Rescue Aid Society, American representative Bernard (Bob Newhart) plans to propose to his partner, Hungarian representative Miss Bianca (Eva Gabor). However, their romantic moment is interrupted when the RAS receives an urgent call for help from Australia, where some mice have witnessed a human boy named Cody (Adam Ryen) being kidnapped by the unscrupulous poacher Percival C. McLeach (George C. Scott). With the assistance of a fun-loving albatross named Wilbur (John Candy) and a clever hopping mouse named Jake (Tristan Rogers), Bernard and Bianca must race against time to rescue Cody before McLeach can extract vital information about a legendary golden eagle named Marahute (Frank Welker).
The Rescuers Down Under holds the distinction of being the first officially released sequel to a Disney animated classic. Unfortunately, it struggled to find its footing at the box office due to its release being overshadowed by the huge successes of The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. While it may not have reached the iconic status of its Disney Renaissance counterparts, the film offers a delightful adventure filled with high stakes and memorable characters, all brought to life by a talented cast. The animation is visually stunning, employing digital shading techniques that enhance the vibrancy of the colors, and the flying sequences are as breathtaking as those found in <em>How to Train Your Dragon</em>.
The Rescuers Down Under
- Release Date
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November 16, 1990
- Runtime
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77 minutes
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-
Eva Gabor
Miss Bianca (voice)
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John Candy
Wilbur (voice)
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Tristan Rogers
Jake (voice)
8
‘Surf’s Up’ (2007)
Directed by Ash Brannon and Chris Buck
Cody Maverick (Shia LaBeouf) is an ambitious teenage rockhopper penguin who aspires to become a legendary surfer, just like his idol, Big Z. His golden opportunity arises when he qualifies for the prestigious Big Z Memorial surfing competition and travels to the sun-soaked shores of Pen-Gu Island. Here, he forms a friendship with a laid-back surfing rooster named Chicken Joe (Jon Heder) and finds himself in competition with the snobbish king penguin, Tank (Diedrich Bader). Meanwhile, a film crew documents Cody’s journey as he navigates the challenges of surf culture.
Surf’s Up serves as an often-missed gem in Sony Pictures’ lineup, and its innovative mockumentary style sets it apart from traditional animated films. The story is presented through a series of video recordings that mimic the feel of handheld camera footage, complete with shaky movements that capture the energy of the surfing competition. While the plot follows the familiar arc of a sports film, it delivers a valuable lesson about the importance of enjoying the journey rather than just focusing on victory.
Surf’s Up
- Release Date
-
June 8, 2007
- Runtime
-
85 minutes
7
‘Help! I’m a Fish’ (2000)
Directed by Stefan Fjeldmark, Greg Manwaring, and Michael Hegner
While on a fishing excursion during high tide, siblings Fly (Sebastian Jessen/Jeff Pace) and Stella (Pil Neja/Michelle Westerson), along with their cousin Chuck (Morten Kernn Nielsen/Aaron Paul), stumble upon the bizarre laboratory of the eccentric Professor MacKril (Søren Sætter-Lassen/Terry Jones). Here, they discover a potion capable of transforming humans into fish, designed to help them survive the impending global flooding. When Stella accidentally consumes the potion and is lost at sea, Fly decides to drink it to search for her, and Chuck is reluctantly dragged along when a wave capsizes their boat. Unfortunately, they misplace the antidote, which is later found by a pilfering pilot fish named Joe (Nis Bank-Mikkelsen/Alan Rickman), who realizes it grants fish enhanced intelligence.
Help! I’m a Fish stands as a quintessential example of an underrated animated feature that focuses on delivering a compelling story rather than chasing box office records. The writing excels in developing memorable characters, each with distinct arcs, while cleverly subverting the typical clichés often found in children’s films. Additionally, the underwater world depicted in the film is stunning, showcasing a blend of fluid hand-drawn animation and early CGI that vividly brings to life various sea creatures and their environments.
Help! I’m A Fish
- Release Date
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October 6, 2000
- Runtime
-
80 minutes
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Sebastian Jessen
Svip (voice)
-
-
Morten Kerrn Nielsen
Plum (voice)
-
Søren Sætter-Lassen
Professor Mac Krill (voice)
6
‘The Swan Princess’ (1994)
Directed by Richard Ritch
To unite their kingdoms, King William (Dakin Matthews) and Queen Uberta (Sandy Duncan) arrange for their children, Odette (Adrian Zahiri and Michelle Nicastro) and Derek (Adam Wylie and Howard McGillin), to meet annually in hopes of fostering love between them. However, in a twist of fate, Derek unintentionally offends Odette during their adult years. Before he has the chance to apologize, tragedy strikes when William is murdered, leading to Odette’s abduction by the sinister sorcerer Rothbart (Jack Palance). Rothbart curses Odette, forcing her to transform into a swan by day, with the only way to break the spell being her agreement to marry him, allowing him to claim her kingdom.
The Swan Princess distinguishes itself from other animated features mimicking the Disney style through its exquisite animation and a straightforward yet engaging plot. Its cell-shaded animation style enhances its fairy tale charm, showcasing a diverse cast of characters that range from relatable protagonists to vibrant side characters and a captivating villain. Unfortunately, Disney’s re-release of The Lion King overshadowed The Swan Princess, which has nevertheless managed to create a sizable franchise with numerous direct-to-DVD sequels.
The Swan Princess
- Release Date
-
November 18, 1994
- Runtime
-
89 minutes
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Jack Palance
Lord Rothbart (voice)
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Howard McGillin
Prince Derek (voice)
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Michelle Nicastro
Princess Odette (voice)
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Liz Callaway
Princess Odette (singing voice)
5
‘The Book of Life’ (2014)
Directed by Jorge R. Gutierrez
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