The Oscar Race Begins - 18 Qualify

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently revealed the 18 feature films that have qualified for consideration in the Best Animated Feature Film category for the 84th Academy Awards - to be hosted by Eddie Murphy, the voice of Donkey in Shrek.

These feature films are (links lead to our reviews of the highlighted films):

"The Adventures of Tintin"

"Alois Nebel"

"Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked"

"Arthur Christmas" (to be released on November 11, review to follow the week after)

"Cars 2"

"A Cat in Paris"

"Chico & Rita"

"Gnomeo & Juliet"

"Happy Feet Two"

"Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil"

"Kung Fu Panda 2"

"Mars Needs Moms"

"Puss in Boots"

"Rango"

"Rio"

"The Smurfs"

"Winnie the Pooh"

"Wrinkles"

Providing that at least 16 of these films make the necessary theatrical runs to qualify, then there will be five nominees for the prestigious award this year, as opposed to the three we saw last year.

2011 has been a very good year for animated film, with all major studios (and some minor ones) bringing out brilliant films (personally, as it came out in January over here in the UK, and not November 2010 as it did it in the US, I also count Tangled as from this year). So, it's going to be a very competitive year, with the usual Academy favourite, Pixar, churning out, what was viewed as, a weak entry into their canon, it's likely that Cars 2 won't win this year, but, from the films I've seen so far, my five to be nominated would be:

• The Adventures of Tintin
• Cars 2
• Rio
• Rango
• Kung Fu Panda 2

With Tintin probably coming out on top; those predictions are based upon now and, not necessarily my personal opinion, but what I believe the Academy will choose. Also, this is discounting films not yet released and ones I haven't seen; also, it's hard to count out Aardman, so I wouldn't rule out Arthur Christmas yet (stay tuned for a review of that in two weeks).

I guess we'll just have to wait and see, we're only at the start of the journey now anyway.

Thanks to The Pixar Blog.

The Corner - Week 5 - Luke Reviews Disney Universe

Now that Disney Universe is out around the world I thought, that since I own the game it would be a good idea to review it in the first A113Animation console game review:

Storyline

I like the way Disney Interactive have tried to craft a story line, but, alas, it doesn't really show much in the game. The main storyline is about the Disney Universe being taken over by evil and you have to save different characters from major Disney/Pixar films. So, while the motivation is there, it just felt a bit lacking in the continuation of the story. Although it is fun to collect characters, I would have thought they would have given the user more than one character from each movie to start off with- I get the idea, it just comes across as a tad underdeveloped. Which brings me onto my next topic:

Characters

The characters are part of the main story, you collect them as you complete each location. Unfortunately you have to play the levels twice to unlock every character. So, if you're a person who hates replaying the same level over and over than this game isn't for you. The look and quality of the characters is outstanding. They  really make the game feel like your in a Disney/Pixar movie and are just a joy to play as, making you really feel like part of the action. There are over 30 characters in the game and around 25 of them are to unlock.

Cut Scenes

Now I wanted to add this section in (rather than just including it in the story section) because the cut scenes are absolutely hilarious. Like any of the many LEGO game you have those stupid cut scenes that mean nothing to the game and are only added just to make the game seem livelier, and they succeed. They'll make the game better for the little kiddie target audience, but also sustainable for older users.


Music

WOW. One word to describe the beautiful sounding music in the game. it uses the music from the original Disney/Pixar movies and adds a modern up beat to it. It makes the game play more manageable, hearing some relaxing music even though I'm shouting at the TV screen because of those stupid mini games that make the game what it is.


Personal Comments

My personal opinion is that it's a good game, but that it can become frustrating to play after a while. I love the animation and the backgrounds which make the levels really stand out. The music is the best part of the game for me, but, overall, it's a fun game to play - you just have to be a patient type of person.


Thanks for reading. Next time I will be reviewing Merry Madagascar.

John Lasseter on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

The CCO of Pixar and Disney Animation, John Lasseter, was finally honoured a few days ago, receiving his long overdue star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The director of Toy Story and the creative heart of Pixar received this honour on Hollywood Boulevard, in front of the famed El Capitan theatre.

The ceremony marks the 2,453rd star to be placed on the Walk of Fame, and the event (originally scheduled for next June, but likely bumped up due to Cars 2's impending home video release) was attended by many a star who've graced the doors of Pixar through the years; in addition to the Pixar Brain Trust, the ceremony included stars such as Owen Wilson, Don Rickles and John Ratzenberger.

Lasseter undoubtedly deserves it, he's a true genius, a fantastic filmmaker and their are few that deserve it more. Congratulations John Lasseter.

The Muppets Clips

Disney and Muppets Studio have released a whopping five actual clips from their upcoming feature film, The Muppets. Embedded above and below you will find the videos, extracts from the film, which give us our first real look at how the actual film will feel, and of the newest Muppet, Walter. The clip, 'Showdown', is also the same one that was aired during The Muppets' appearance on WWE Raw this past Monday.

    

In addition to being very funny, the clips give us an idea of how the film will compare to the high standard set by Jim Henson's creations.



I can't wait to see The Muppets in cinemas very soon; The Muppets is released at Thanksgiving time in America and arrives over here in December.

Note, the fifth clip, 'Shocking', won't play for me, however, if you want to try for yourself, head on over to The Muppet Mindset to give it a shot.

The Final Muppets Parody Trailer (Probably)

Disney and The Muppets Studio have unveiled what is to be (apparently) the last Muppets parody trailer; spoofing Paranormal Activity and the animated films: Happy Feet Two and Puss in Boots, as well as Twilight.

The trailer is less parody and more comedy, whilst, at the same time, building to the ever approaching release of the next Muppets movie, which hits theatres in America this Thanksgiving, and arrives here in the UK in early December.