Celebrating 2D Traditional Animation
I’ve been seeing some wonderful traditionally animated films lately, and I thought I’d share them with you. Hayao Miyazaki`s Ponyo
Academy Award-winning Director Hayao Miyasaki brings us his latest masterpiece, entitled Ponyo. Ponyo is the story of a young goldfish’s journey to become human. Never have I seen the world of the ocean rendered so beautifully and full of imagination and life. True to most of Miyasaki’s films, every frame teams with motion and is a fantastical feast for the eyes. Creatures I’ve never seen inhabit this underwater playground, and the level of detail in characters’ emotion and movement is truly amazing. I’ve always loved the way Miyasaki is able to capture children’s innocence, from their expressive faces to the way they fall, run, skip, and take delight in life’s simple pleasures. The story itself has a few problems in that it can get a little confusing and the subject matter bizarre. The lead character has a strange fascination with ham, the back-story of how her father came to be the caretaker of the ocean, and the origin of her mother remains largely unexplained. It becomes clear towards the middle of the movie how it will end, and in that respect, the story can seem long and predictable. Although Ponyo is described as a goldfish, you wouldn’t quite guess that. I found her transition human form very duck-like and a bit unnecessary. Those quibbles are relatively minor though, and I’d highly recommend seeing this film as a tribute to a technique largely missing in American Animation.
The Secret of Kells from Director Tomm Moore
The Secret of Kells is the story of Brendan, a 12-year-old orphan entrusted with the daunting task of completing the infamous Book of Kells. The film follows his adventures, as he bravely becomes an apprentice to master illuminator Brother Aiden, secretly learning the art of calligraphy, and confronting his darkest fears in the forest outside the walls of the abbey, as he follows fairy Aisling in his search for the crystal that will help complete the book. Lushly painted forest settings abound in this film, with a mixture of cel and Flash animation. The color is superb, and the animation flawless. There is often so much going on, that if you blink you might miss some of the little touches. I would love to see this film again. From someone who didn’t know the back-story ahead of time, the book’s importance in saving the abbey from the Vikings can be a tad dubious. But otherwise, it’s an amazing film and the music is pretty awesome too.
Ponyo is currently enjoying a limited US release. If it’s not playing near you, be sure to catch it on DVD. The Secret of Kells seemed to have a very brief, limited US release, and I’m hopeful that the DVD will be sold here soon. It’s a shame that traditionally animated films of this caliber are so hard to find here in America, both made here and on the screen. While I enjoy 3D and all animation techniques when done well, the strange need for a rivalry or departure in animation techniques always mystified me. I am heartened by Disney’s return to traditional animation with The Princess and the Frog, and am hopeful that other studios will do the same. There is room for all techniques, no need to shun one over the other.
Til next time!
watch family guy episodes online wrote on 11/13/09 5:14 AM
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