Animation Films

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!