2015 in Animation: A Preview

As 2014 is closing as one of the most solid years for animation in recent memory, let's take a look at what lies ahead in the new year. Bear in mind that this list is just for mainstream animated films, as the independent and foreign fare get announced on the fly. Also, this list only includes fully animated films, so hybrids like Monster Trucks and Pixels are not included.  Here's the list of the animated films that are coming with some observations and (just for fun) an estimated Rotten Tomatoes score:

Munir's Disney Retrospective - Animated Classic #54: Big Hero 6 (2014)

Previous post: Munir's Disney Retrospective - Animated Classic #53: Frozen (2013).

Big Hero 6 is the latest film from WDAS - and also their latest triumph! It would've been easy for the studio to rest on its laurels after Frozen's smashing success, (success that's still resonating today) but it's reassuring to see that the studio has no plans to slow down; Big Hero 6 is the latest proof of that.

Song of the Sea Review - Moore of This, Please

Too rarely these days a traditional animated feature presents itself to us. In a world where CGI is king, Ghibli is no more and only a few stop-motion flicks make it through, a hand-drawn film is a much-needed breath of fresh air - not that there's anything wrong with CGI.

So, why wouldn't you be excited for Song of the Sea? It's new, it's different, it's great. More after the break.

Watch: New Inside Out Trailer - The Foot is Down!

Pixar have rolled out the first full trailer for their next film, the Pete Docter-directed Inside Out. And, as has been speculated, the film looks bloody good.

French Animation, Chapitre 7 - Asterix: The Land of the Gods

Previously: The Secret of Kells

What is it?
Asterix is originally a French series of comic books created in 1959 by brilliant author René Goscinny (this reviewer recommends everything from him - Oumpah-pah, Le Petit Nicolas, Iznogoud, Les Dingodossiers, his Lucky Luke stories - it's all gold) and artist Albert Uderzo. It tells the adventures of a Gaulish warrior and his village resisting the Roman occupation. Asterix has become a massive success, and is one of the most popular French-Belgian comic series worldwide - if not the most popular. It has spawned numerous animated and live-action movies, of varying quality.