A Year in Review 2018 – Animated Movies

With 2018 now behind us, it’s time to look back on some of the blockbusters that kept us going to the movies every weekend. Today, we’ll be looking back on the animated movies of this year. This year had some great stories come to life through the world of animation. From islands filled with dogs, the internet, and alternate dimensions, we saw many different worlds come alive this year.We start with Isle of Dogs.

Isle of Dogs is auteur Wes Anderson’s latest film. Animated using stop-motion, Isle of Dogs is set in a dystopian near-future Japan, where a young boy searches for his pet dog in an island where all dogs have been banished after an outbreak of a canine flu.

Featuring an ensemble voice cast including the likes of Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Scarlett Johansson and many more, it features Anderson’s signature storytelling style and humour, which may be an acquired taste to some.

Visually, like with all of Wes Anderson’s films, almost every shot looks like a painting. While it may not be your regular end-of-the-day viewing, it’s a fun premise that is charmingly executed.From Pixar, we have the long-awaited sequel to the 2004 instant classic, The Incredibles. The Incredibles 2 picks up where the first movie left us off.

The Incredibles are approached by an eccentric businessman to help in restoring the public’s trust in Supers.

They come head to head with a villain who is intent on turning the people against all superheroes.The Incredibles 2 is a fun movie, but it lacks the charm and the first movie.

The original was a thought-provoking look into the ideals of power and talent, along with what it means to be “special”.

While this one tries to achieve a similar goal, except with screens and the nature of consumerism,it isn’t as effective and is rather forgettable.

Disney also had a sequel for us this year, with Ralph Breaks the Internet. Wreck-it Ralph and Vanellope (pronounced like Penelope) are back, and they’re exploring the world of the internet.Filled with pop culture references ranging from movies, video games, the internet, and many, many Disney properties, Ralph Breaks the Internet is a fun romp that still manages to stay true to its core and delivers a solid message about the nature of friendship and growing up.

It’s a movie the whole family can enjoy.

Finally, from Sony Pictures Animation, we had Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

Into the Spider-Verse explores something that movie-going audiences may not be as familiar with:the concept of alternate dimensions.While this can usually get really confusing, especially for those not familiar with the concept, Into the Spider-Verse does a fantastic job of integrating into the story in an easy to understand and natural manner.

Miles Morales is an ordinary boy in high school. When he gets bitten by a radioactive spider, he develops superpowers and must learn that with great power comes great responsibility.Sound familiar? While they may have the same origin story, they are definitely not the same person, and that is where the strength of Into the Spider-Verse lies.

At its heart, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a Miles Morales story, and while Peter Parker is there, along with Gwen Stacy and a few other Spider-People, the focus is on Miles.

Miles receives some of the best development in a superhero film and the movie’s take on an older Peter Parker is interesting, funny, slightly dark and thought-provoking while still retaining the endearing aspects we love about the character.

As a Spider-Man story, it’s one of the best we’ve gotten so far, rivalling even Raimi’s Spider-Man2. If you haven’t seen this movie, you absolutely need to.

And that’s all for today! I hope you enjoyed the show, and I’ll see you in the next episode!

- Open Face Team

DISCLAIMER

* This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinians expressed in the text belongs solely to the author, and not necessarily to Openface Media Organization, or any other group or individual.*