One of the many good things about having our little nieces and nephews visit is that we can dig out and watch our older cartoons. They’re 9 and 7, so while they’re definitely familiar with all the Pixar and Dreamworks CG animated features like Toy Story and Kungfu Panda, they don’t remember the older 2D ones.
Back when animated movies had magic in the script, and not just the CG
So we were watching Anastasia, and it really reminded me of a time when animated movies were timeless. I mean, it’s been 15 years since this movie came out (which makes it older than them), and they get it and enjoy it.
Why? Because it has a story based on timeless themes like identity and family, whereas movies like Monsters vs Aliens are filled to the brim with short-term pop culture references that lose their appeal before the movie even gets released on DVD. I mean, check out this incredibly tacky scene:
I remember seeing that scene in the cinema, and it made me feel kind of sick. Not because I hate that crazy frog thing, but because it’s such a cheap grab for laughs. Well… it’s CG, and pretty nice-looking CG at that, so it’s a really expensive cheap grab for laughs. 15 years from now, will this scene still be funny?
I’m watching Anastasia with these kids, and they’re laughing at the cute little dog, they’re enjoying the songs, and the story (while definitely not the best in the world) has them enthralled. I think it’s great!
Anyway, I’m gonna go dig up some of the other older ones like An American Tail, Land Before Time… hmmm… my childhood seems to be full of Don Bluth movies.
These are movies that I think will definitely outlast the DVDs that they’re printed on, just because they’ve got more in them than just pop culture references.
PS One thing to nitpick about Anastasia: Just because you can magically animate a statue of a winged horse doesn’t mean that statue can fly… it’s still made of stone!!!
PPS If you’re reading this, then I guess the world didn’t end after all. At least, not in your time zone.
Aah, Land Before Time. That is a movie I will definitely be rewatching (at least the first 3 times) with my kids. No nieces or nephews here yet so I have to watch Disney movies by myself (or with other adult friends
).
It’s actually a really short movie! I think it’s only just over an hour long. Didn’t remember it being that short. It’s practically a 2-part TV episode!
oh i love Anastasia and we used to have a VHS tape of American Tail
I just bought An American Tail on DVD from Amazon hahaha! It’s a double pack with Fievel goes West, and now that my sister is back in town we are all gonna watch it together.
I love Anastasia! Just watched it the other day. Dimitri is sooooooooo dreamy
Thumbellina is also another favourite of mine!
Dimitri is dreamy because he’s John Cusack hahaha!
Yes he is, love him in must love dogs and serendipity
What about the bit where he holds up the stereo in Say Anything? That’s a classic scene!
I loved American tail, Fivel goes west, Thumbelina….All of Bluth’s movies are good. Got most of them now on dvd.
Ever see Rock-a-Doodle? The soundtrack on that is pretty good and even though its a bit corny, its still a bluth movie fans should own.
I’ve never even heard of Rock-a-Doodle. I’ll keep an eye out for it!
LOVE anastasia! I listed in my ‘fav children’s movies’ too. Nice job