Best Animated Feature is the youngest category in the 90-year history of the Oscars. Short cartoons have been awarded by American film academics since the 30s. And the injustice with their full-length brothers was eliminated only in 2002.
During this time, 69 cartoons made in completely different techniques and genres received nominee status. From classic hand-drawn animation to the most complex virtual computer delights. From children’s entertaining stories to serious philosophical parables.
We have selected for you 10 incredible animated films that, although they did not become Oscar winners, clearly deserve attention.
Trio from Belleville (2003)
Madame Sousa – the grandmother of the main character, a boy named Champion – has been supporting her grandson in his passion for cycling since childhood. Years later, during the world famous Tour de France race, unknown persons kidnap the Champion. A brave grandmother and her faithful dog Bruno rush to the rescue.
Controversial hand-drawn animation and the almost complete lack of dialogue from cartoon director Sylvain Chomet may even cause initial rejection. But it’s a hard start – a simple detective plot, contrasting palette colors, including imitation of old film, subtle humor and the ambience of France in the 60s soon put everything in its place. Well, how can you help but sing along to a song performed by three old ladies. After all, they play jazz using a shelf in the refrigerator, a newspaper and even a vacuum cleaner.
Corpse Bride (2005)
Victor and Victoria, who have never met, are going to get married by their parents. Young people are not enthusiastic about the idea. But when they meet, they realize that they are made for each other. At the wedding rehearsal, Victor runs out of excitement into the forest, where he jokingly pronounces his marriage vows and puts the wedding ring on a twig that comes to hand. It turns out to be the finger of the girl’s corpse. The afterlife bride takes the hero to the world of the dead. Victor wants to get out of there to return to his true love.
A plot similar to the story of the dead bride from the Tim Burton cartoon has appeared in romantic literature many times, from ancient Greek poetry to the classics of romanticism. The authors claim that they were inspired by Jewish fairy tales of the 17th century. In any case, the stunning animated gothic romance has a star-studded cast. Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Christopher Lee took part in the voice acting of the characters. In addition, the film used the most advanced technologies in puppet animation at that time. And the “engagement” itself lasted 10 long years – that’s how long it took for the idea to take shape and reach the big screens.
Monster House (2006)
Teenagers DJ, Chöder and Jenny believe that the empty and abandoned house located on their street is not just an old wreck, but lives its own life. Naturally, none of the adults believe the children. And then they decide to confront the monster house on their own.
If children’s horror films have not surprised anyone for a long time, then an animated film in this genre is worth its weight in gold. Constantly building suspense, well-thought-out conflicts and childlike spontaneity create an appropriately unforgettable atmosphere that can stand on par with its movie counterparts. Well, for greater believability, the animators used 3D motion capture technology.
Persepolis (2007)
The viewer sees the tragic events in Iran in this film through the eyes of a teenage girl named Marj. It shows her childhood memories, the periods of the Shah’s reign, the Islamic Revolution and the war with Iraq. As well as study abroad, return and forced immigration.
The black-and-white film adaptation of Marjane Satrapy’s autobiographical comic book received an Oscar nomination and a bunch of various awards. However, after the release of this film, protests took place from a number of Iranian government organizations. They accused the creators of implausibility and ridicule of national-religious traditions and customs.
The Pirates! Band of Misfits (2012)
A gang of hapless freebooters led by the pirate Captain is desperately trying to win the Pirate of the Year competition. There is, however, a small problem. The gang leader can only boast a bushy beard and a lot of bad luck. And his team is a real bunch of living caricatures. Who would have thought that it was these eternal losers who would be able to make a fool of Queen Victoria herself. And Charles Darwin will help them with this.
The creators of the animated hits about Wallace and Gromit, as well as Chicken Run, this time were inspired by a series of comedy stories by Gideon Defoe. Previously, animators had to make a completely “plasticine” film. Now technology has come to their aid, when plasticine dolls are perfectly combined with CG graphics and 3D technologies.
Ernest and Celestine (2012)
The mouse Celestina lives in an orphanage and dreams of becoming an artist. She is forced to make forays into the outside world, where bears live, and steal lost teeth from their children. During one of these operations, she is found by a beggar bear. Ernest. At first he wants to eat her, but he ends up befriending her.
The cutest cartoon fairy tale is based on a series of children’s books by the Belgian writer and artist Gabrielle Vincent. This work is distinguished not only by its delicate watercolor painting, but also by its soulfulness.
The Wind Rises (2013)
The boy Jiro is obsessed with airplanes and wants to become a pilot. However, vision problems put an end to his dream. But the sky will still take its toll. He would become a famous skyship designer. Even though before that he will have to survive the Tokyo earthquake, World War II and love for a dying girl.
Just the name Hayao Miyazaki in the “director” line is a sign of the highest quality. The film has unique animation, a lyrical and tragic story, a special flavor, and a nuanced contrast between a fairy tale and cruel everyday life.
Song of the Sea (2014)
The girl Saoirse, living with her father and brother at the lighthouse, is the last of a line of selkies. These kind creatures are capable of turning into both people and seals. One day, a grandmother, wishing her grandchildren a better life, takes the children to the city. After this, the selkie tries to return to the sea.
The soulfulness and intricacies of folk legends in “Song of the Sea” are framed by the originality of the animation. This is real film magic, expressed in the utmost simplicity of the drawing.
Life of a Zucchini (2016)
Zucchini is the nickname of a nine-year-old boy whose alcoholic mother died and he was sent to an orphanage. In a new place, Icarus, that’s the hero’s real name, meets the same lonely children. Each of which has its own tragic story. And together they dream of a better life and new parents.
Despite the ambiguity of the topics raised, director Claude Barras makes the viewer feel positive. At the same time, without speculating on feelings. His drama goes hand in hand with original jokes. And an inconvenient, acutely social person – with such important and sentimental things as love and friendship.
Loving Vincent (2017)
Armand Roulin, on behalf of his father, is trying to deliver a letter that Van Gogh wrote to his brother, but never had time to send. In search of the addressee, Arman tries to find answers to questions about the mysterious death of the artist.
One of the rare cases when it is not so important what the film is made about (although, of course, the narrative line here does not fade into the background), but how it is made. 125 artists painted 62,450 frames in oils. Each of them became a full-fledged painting. Moreover, the canvases were painted using the same technique in which Van Gogh himself worked. Before our eyes, the paintings of the famous Dutch painter tell not only his difficult fate, but also literally come to life.
