Okay, so I haven’t been showing Crabapple Cove much love of late, but I’ve been feeling a little tired and uninspired. I’m sure you know the drill. There’s also another reason — I’ve been moonlighting. I ran across a solicitation for contributors from national site Examiner.com. I cycled through their wants, did not see a listing for a correspondent for cartoons and animation, and politely asked if they’d be interested in having one. Oddly enough, they were. After a surprisingly rigorous application process, they offered me the gig. Actually, I shouldn’t use the word “gig” since that implies there’s money to be had. While there is some compensation, it’s pretty minimal — but cash wasn’t really why I signed on. I’ve been doing the column for almost a month and, while I’m still finding my voice and drafting my long-term plan, I am rather enjoying the process.
Stop by, have a look, and tell me what you think…
My Examiner.com column.
I can sum up Monsters vs. Aliens for you in two words: “It sucks”. It has none of the charm or the heart of Kung Fu Panda — in fact, it’s so much like the prior (pre-Panda) entries from Dreamworks Animation’s back catalog that I’m willing to write off “Panda” as a fluke. Honestly, I should have known what I was in for given that some of the same minds that brought us Shark Tale were also behind Monsters vs. Aliens. If you didn’t see Shark Tale, count yourself fortunate: it’s probably the worst of the Dreamworks movies to date and that’s really saying something. I can’t even quite figure out who “Monsters” was supposed to be for. It’s shot through with broad, easy humor that adults won’t find funny and kids won’t get. In other words, nobody wins.
So, some of you out there might be asking “Okay, fine, but how was the 3D?” I can sum that up in one word: “Meh”. Was it bad? Not at all. Is it the FUTURE of movies as Jeffery Katzenberg and James Cameron would have us believe? I can’t see how it could be. The overall effect wasn’t unpleasant by any means but it also made little to no impression upon me. The truth is, if I never see another film in 3D, I doubt I’ll miss it. Jeff, Jim, c’mere for a sec… You guys want to know the secret to getting an audience and keeping it? You want to know how to get asses in seats? Gather ’round ’cause I’m only going to say this once…
Make better movies.
Update 04/10/09:
Jerry Beck of Cartoon Brew pretty much pops the 3D-is-the-coming-thing balloon in this very well-reasoned piece.
If you’ve paid any attention to this site over the years, you probably know that I like to rag on DreamWorks Animation. Their movies are generally soulless — bogged down with obnoxious behavior and pop culture references which serve no other purpose than popping you out of the story. Well, I’m about to say something I never thought I would say: Kung Fu Panda is good enough that Pixar could have made it. That’s a left-handed compliment to be sure, but Pixar set the bar that everyone else doing this type of film has to clear. And “Panda” directors Mark Osborne and John Stevenson manage to clear it. The movie has appealing characters, its sentiment is well-earned, the action is fantastic, and it’s quite possibly the best looking CGI movie to date. In fact, I think Kung Fu Panda is probably the best animated movie since Brad Bird’s The Incredibles.
For once I’m giving a DreamWorks movie an unreserved recommendation. Cue the apocalypse.
Just like Shrek 3 (and practically every Dreamworks Feature Animation film to date) Bee Movie is a pretty, but ultimately empty experience. Almost without exception, these flicks fail to connect on an emotional level — a real shame since animation is difficult and time-consuming.
Oh well, at least this one isn’t brimming over with loud non-sequitur songs, inappropriate pop culture references and gratuitous shots to the crotch. That’s something, I guess.
I joined ASIFA just prior to moving for my new job. As a result I haven’t been able to attend any of their awesome screenings (hey, if you’re listening guys, stop holding those screenings on weekdays at 7 pm– try and think about us workin’ guys). On the other hand, it looks as though I get to vote on the annual Annie Awards– the animation industry’s equivalent of the Academy Awards. To that end, I’ve gotten a few screener DVDs from the studios who would apparently like my vote. The wife and kids’re outta town this week so I started my day by watching my copy of Over the Hedge. Cynics among you are just going to say that the freebie disc is going to influence the character of my review. Think what you will, but I thought “Hedge” was probably the best of the DreamWorks films so far. This may sound like a left-handed compliment, but I found the film to be the most “Pixar-like” of the DWA films to date. It’s got heart, some decent dialogue, good characters and fine pacing overall. It didn’t resonate as strongly with me as the finest of the Pixar films, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction. (Anyway, I liked it better than Cars). I’d like to see more of this kind of thing from Katzenberg and the boys.
Over the Hedge
Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick, directors
Len Blum et al, writers
***1/2 (out of five)
Well, it’s no Shark Tale, that’s for sure. –Most of the Dreamworks animation fare to date has really kept me at arm’s length. I hate to say it but with all of those pop culture references and all of that loud music I’ve always had a difficult time connecting with these pictures. Shark Tale I thought was by far the worst offender. It seemed to want to bludgeon you into liking it and you resented it for its attitude.
Thankfully, Madagascar is nowhere near as obnoxious. Let me first say that I really loved the animation. It was crisp and delightfully cartoony for a CG picture. For the most part the voice acting was well-done with a particular shout-out to Sacha Baron Cohen as the king of the lemurs. The penguins too are quite entertaining and the inclusion of their Christmas-themed short film is a welcome addition to the disc.
Let’s fall back on a cliche to sum up Madagascar: It’s a lot like Chinese food. Sure, it’s good but an hour later you’re hungry again. –Try as they might, these guys just can’t hit one out of the park in the same way that Pixar does consistently.
Madagascar
2005
Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath –Directors
Mark Burton, Billy Frolick, Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath –Writers
*** (out of five)
Shark Tale –Bibo Bergeron, Vicki Jensen and Rob Letterman –2004
Michael J. Wilson and Rob Letterman writers
** (out of five)
When Shark Tale isn’t being obnoxious (which isn’t often) it’s wholly unremarkable. There’s no real comedy and, most particularly, no pathos to speak of.
I will say that the character animation is just fine and I enjoyed the film’s rich color palette.
I was most embarrassed for Martin Scorcese who, thankfully, is hidden by an animated fish.
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