Hello loyal readers, and welcome to another issue of Dustin's Dirty Dozen. This issue was a bit tricky; I wanted to make it just a list on either Dreamworks or Blue Sky, but neither have made enough original pieces for me to give them their own list. So, of course by me combining the two, a couple of your favorites are not going to make it; however, let's give a big round of applause for the movies that did make it and get this started.
12) The Road to El Dorado
At Dreamworks Studios during the conception of "The Road to El Dorado:"
Some guy: "Hey, what's a civilization that Disney hasn't bastardized yet?"
Another guy: "I don't know, Muisca?"
Some Guy: "Perfect"
Yeah, animated films seem to have no limits of what lengths they are willing to go to in order to sell products, but it was still a great movie. Beautiful to look at, and a venerable name in the world of acting plays one of the lead roles, Kevin Cline as Tolio. The other actors were impressive, with Kenneth Branagh playing Tolio's cohort, Miguel; and Elton John as the narrator. Still, with all of them we have Rosie Perez, Edward James Olmos and Jim Cummings making a star line up that set the pace for Dreamworks movies to come.
11) Madagascar
Hey! A "Friends" star (besides Jennifer Aniston) that found work in this day and age. David Schwimmer joins big names like: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Cedric the Entertainer in a movie that places zoo animals in the wilds of Madagascar. The original movie was amazing, but as films like this go, the sequels were absolutely horrendous and too frequent. They also spawned a series that made its way to Nickelodeon called, "The Penguins of Madgascar" which is equally, if not more, horrendous and still shows today for some reason, showing us just how low viewers' standards have gotten. Going away from the bad, let us talk about the actual good points of this movie. The comedy was quick; filled with references made for New York citizens, and as stated before, the voices are amazing. I just wish that Dreamworks would learn to let hits like this go and stop producing the same stupidity again and again.
10) Robots
Movies like this just bring a smile to my face, having made no sequels and standing the test of time. With a storyline of upgrades making old models fall to the wayside and amazing animation. The only thing that makes me sad is, it just proves that Dreamworks/Blue Sky isn't as willing to use voice actors, as opposed to known actors. Relying on star power to sell a movie more than original concepts (which does seem to work) comes across as cheap and contrived. Not to say that they weren't amazing in their roles with a line up like this: Paula Abdul, Halle Berry, Amanda Bynes, Drew Carey, Jennifer Coolidge and Paul Giamatti. The names that stole the show, though, were Mel Brooks as Bigweld, the big company owner who was kidnapped; Ewan McGregor as our leading man Rodney Copperbottom; and the unparalleled skills of Robin Williams as Fender Pinwheeler. So, thank you, Blue Sky for proving to us that some movies just don't need to be continued; if only you learned that lesson with "Ice Age."
9) Kung Fu Panda
Laying my cards on the table, I never went to go see the sequel or bothered with the show that found it's way to Nickelodeon. I just couldn't bring myself to see if they ruined the original concept; which played to my "geekiness" more than most. A movie that creates a new spin on old Kung Fu films, and gives the origins of classic fighting styles: Tiger, Mantis, Monkey, Crane, and Snake. I loved the overzealous fanboy, panda Po played by Jack Black. The master Shifu was perfectly played by acting legend Dustin Hoffman (no, I don't think he is a legend just because we share the same first name), and we even got Jackie Chan to play a role (making this movie seem even more like an homage to classic karate films), voicing Monkey. The other roles were also pretty great: Angelina Jolie, David Cross, Seth Rogen, and Michael Clarke Duncan (may he rest in piece). The only voice I could have lived without was Lucy Liu, who I believe never should have become famous in the first place, but that is for a list on another day.
8) Monsters Vs. Aliens
Thank to the powers that be for this movie allowing Hugh Laurie to escape the role of House; I'd hate to see talent like this forever lost to a typecast as an American butt-hole. Any who, this movie played around with the nerd audience again by answering the question: Who would win, Monsters or Aliens? Giving the monsters the role of protagonist, to the alien's antagonist stance, you already know who is going to win since this movie is meant for kids. The ride is what matters ,though, and this one was a roller coaster. Matched by the amazing acting talents playing the monsters, Hugh Laurie (living up to his acting prowess) was amazing as the mad scientist, Dr. Cockroach Ph.D. (his Ph.D. is in Dance, by the by); Seth Rogen found a good use for his memorable laugh, as the amorphous blob, B.O.B.; and Will Arnett, as always, was hilarious in his role of the showboating Link.
7) Megamind
This movie didn't exactly give me the same feelings I felt during "The Incredibles," but it came pretty close. I liked the play on Superman, and the "Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog" way of sympathizing with the villain antagonists of superheroes. The voices were amazing, with Will Ferrell playing the cocky, misunderstood, villain Megamind; Tina Fey playing Lois Lane (basically) when she voiced Roxanne Ritchie; and this universe's version of Jimmy Olsen was pretty hilarious, when Jonah Hill played Hal Stewart. The only gripe I have would be against Brad Pitt, making it seem like he was too good for the movie. He didn't pose for a picture to advertise it (like the one above) when everybody else did, and didn't seem to appreciate his role, but still acted great, though. A little satire never hurt anyone, and nothing proved that more than this movie..
6) How to Train Your Dragon
Where Disney does Greek mythology, Dreamworks does Norse, and it is outstanding. A small village of dragon hunters being converted to liking the beasts by the village's crazy geek was pretty inspiring. I don't think I would want to be the one that messes with the community that comes to adopt dragons. Besides that Gerard Butler makes his voice acting debut, and is just as intimidating in audio as he is visually. Jay Baruchel is an actor near and dear to my heart, for not being as in the spot light as Seth Rogen or Jonah Hill, but always doing well in the roles that they put him in. Hiccup is no different. Craig Ferguson plays... well, he plays a Norse version of himself, but you can't help but love him all the same.
5) Rio
Rio, yet another locale new to the animation world, and it seemed like they took the soul of Brazilian capital and put it in this film. At first look, I wouldn't see someone giving this movie a second glance, seeing it as just another animated movie with an all-star cast. Look deeper and you have an interesting set up with a great message (maybe over done), but it seemed that the message was "there is more to life than your living room;" or "animals are meant to be free;" or "poaching is bad." Now, I may loath Tracy Morgan, but the rest of this cast is beyond compare, especially the role of Jewel played by Anne Hathaway. Jesse Eisenberg you can take or leave as a great actor, personally I believe he is astounding and brings his awkward and commanding presence to this movie perfectly. Here is hoping the sequel holds up, doubtful though.
4) Antz
If everyone reading this read my "Disney computer animated" entry, they would know that I actually ended up loving this movie, and in many ways it surpassed "A Bug's Life." With satire laced throughout, and more adult aimed humor at points, it elevates itself beyond the childish ways of "A Bug's Life," being tied to a more childish company. I've gone over this movie to a pretty good length in my "Disney computer animated" list; so let me just say that the all-star cast in this movie hit every mark right. Where else could we find a place for the voice of Sylvester Stallone, anyways?
3) Ice Age
Another movie almost killed by its sequels; I guess I don't blame Blue Sky for it though, since it was the most popular property from an unknown company. The first one was great; it had an awesome storyline and decent ending that gave it more of a tear-jerking feel. I loved the mammoth with the tragic back story, played by Ray Romano; it gave the movie more of an icy feeling. His family having died by the hands of humans was a touch of genius, especially when you saw it animated with cave paintings. John Leguizamo is another under-sung actor, he just never quite took off in recent years; then he played the comic relief, Sid the Sloth, and I knew that he had a talent for voice. Denis Leary is amazing, playing a sinister and hard-to-get-along-with saber tooth tiger, Diego. I hope Blue Sky can reproduce magic like this again sometime, but I guess we'll just live with their last great movie "Rio" and hope that it doesn't go the direction of "Ice Age." It doesn't look good though, with them coming out with a sequel; probably to be one of many.
2) Rise of The Guardians
I cannot stress how much this movie surprised me, with just how amazing it was. Taking on the guise of "just another holiday movie," this knocked originality out of the park, with its fresh take on holiday characters so old they make fairy tale characters look new. Heartwarming and thrilling, this movie should be watched with any time you have to spare, not just around the holidays central to it. I don't know what part of the movie was more surprising, Alec Baldwin giving a very convincing performance as a Russian Santa Claus, or making Chris Pine seem like an actual actor. Even with them, the person that completely stole the show was Jude Law as the boogeyman; making the most menacing villain either Blue Sky or Dreamworks have ever produced. Which is good, since the Boogeyman is the character that all other monsters, or fear itself, owe credence to; and Jude Law plays it perfectly. Hugh Jackman was in it too, dawning his Aussie accent for the Easter Bunny, and making sure not to be overshadowed by his competition. I would also be bereaved not to mention their attempt to give Boo from "Monsters Inc." a run for her money in the cuteness department, with the little sister, Sophie. The best part about this is that it was all accomplished without one mention of the religious ties that bound each holiday.
1) Shrek
It could be nothing else. I mean it; my number one could be nothing else but "Shrek." It put Dreamworks on the map; it is why I could even have a list for Dreamworks, even if I had to split it with Blue Sky. The reason I didn't put the entire series up here was because (unlike "Toy Story") the sequels don't hold up to the original. Let's be blunt, the first one was Outstanding, the second was good, the third was ok, and then it all went to hell. The only thing that made the sequels watchable was Puss in Boots played by Antonio Banderas. The voices kind of speak for themselves here; I can't say more for the comedic geniuses that are Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy, playing off of each other. Cameron Diaz (being the one good thing in "Charlie's Angels") makes this movie all the better by playing a strong female lead as Princess Fiona. My greatest round of applause has to go to Conrad Vernon as the Gingerbread Man, showing amazing range and earning himself a spot on future Dreamworks products. This was an instant classic and shall remain in animation history until the end of time.
Honorable Mention) Epic
This movie was so close to being good, but fell just short. My main problem with it was the pacing, too much going on, and it ended up feeling sped-up or rushed. I was looking forward to not having any preconceptions based on reading the novel beforehand, since I didn't read it. The voices were great, but I think the true star of this film was the animation. It was just the most beautiful animation I had ever seen, and if you have the opportunity in the future please see it on the biggest screen you can.
Next Week on Dustin's Dirty Dozen: Top 12 comic book based animated movies. You know those random comic book movies you see on Netflix, well I own them all, and I need to make a list for them.
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