Nate’s 9: Favorite Kid Animation
Movies
#9. Kung Fu
Panda. One of the few animation films in which I actually don’t mind the villain.
Tai Lung plays an intriguing character, and you can understand the pain that he
goes through when separated from his mentor.
Jack Black is a bit annoying playing Po, but the last fight scene is
fun, and you can’t help but laugh as he learns how to become a ninja.
#8.
Ratatouille. I would never have
considered purchasing this one, but Sara is intent on getting Aiden every
single animation film that has ever been created. This one grew on me from the
first time I watched it. Remy is a
fantastic little mouse as the main character, and Linguini is another underdog
hero that you can’t help but cheer for by the end of the movie. The kitchen scenes are a treat too.
#7. Finding
Nemo. Dory is one of the greatest Pixar characters of all-time, but the whole
movie is a lot of fun too. Going down
the East Australian Current with the turtles, Dory communicating with the great
whale, the plastic bags at the end of the movie, it had its share of memorable
moments to say the least. Disney
definitely has a formula, but when it works, it’s beautiful.
#6. Wall-E.
The first time I saw this movie, I thought there was a lot left undone. I remember watching it distracted, although I
can’t remember why. Now I think it has
one of the greatest finishes of all-time, and the symbolism behind the little
plant is enchanting. I think that the world of Wall-E isn’t too far away from
where we are now though, it was a lesson in many things as well as being a
great film.
#5. Happy
Feet. Probably my favorite underdog of
all-time, at least so far as animation films go. Mumble is such a sweet
character, and his tap dancing is just fun to watch. I think they casted the film brilliantly too,
although Robin Williams does get to be a bit annoying as Lovelace. Steve Irwin also has a cameo in the film,
just before his passing. The music was good, the storyline was good, and
although Happy Feet 2 was garbage, this film was really enjoyable to watch.
#4. Beauty
and the Beast. Tale as old as time. Man that’ll get me every time. It’s one of the few Goosebumps songs of the Disney era. And the great character Belle. She loves him
even though he’s different. Although isn’t that the formula for every
aforementioned movie up this list.
Except for maybe Nemo, because Marlin never marries Dory… This tale is
grandiose for many reasons. It has the cute little tea cup that befriends our Belle.
It has the forbidden rose. It has Beast who finally gets past his fears and
insecurities and marries sweet little ol’ Belle, and then his dungeon home
turns into a beautiful castle. Who
wouldn’t want to be a part of this fairy tale?
#3. Cars 2.
So Aiden was completely obsessed with this movie, and I think that might be the
reason it shot so high up my list. I’ve
seen this movie probably close to 25 times while only seeing Cars maybe
twice. It really is a great movie
though. It has the suspense of not
knowing who the true villain is; although you probably have a pretty good
idea. That formula however is very
unlike Disney, as they prefer to leave their villains out in the open and with
a few musical numbers. It has even more
great humor with our tow truck Mader, who can’t seem to keep himself out of
trouble. Lightning McQueen really isn’t
cast as an underdog either, which breaks normal Disney development. Of course
he still wins in the end, but what would a Disney movie be without it’s happy
ending?
#2. The
Little Mermaid. Just because of the
music. I think it’s the greatest
Animation musical score ever created so far.
It has the great classic, “Under the Sea”, which everyone loves, and the
two almost classics, “Part of your World”, and “Kiss the Girl”. Not to mention it’s
a pretty good film as well too.
Although, damn it Eric, it could’ve been over much more quickly if you
had just kissed Ariel like Sebastian asked.
Still gets all the points though.
#1. The Lion
King. I know it’s like the New York
Yankees of Disney movies, but I don’t care.
It’s just about the perfect film.
Innocence – Misfortune – discovering – Rebirth. Simba follows that line perfectly. And I enjoy him. But the fact that they let James Earl Jones
do the voice of Mufasa is the reason why this is my favorite Disney movie of
all-time. He was a great, majestic voice
for that role, and I don’t think anyone could’ve been casted for it
better. Rowan Atkinson as Zuzu was a
close second though. But the film gives
you a little bit of everything to feel, and even Scar is a pretty decent villain. "Asante sana, squash banana, wewe nugu,
mimi hapana." Love it!
