When it comes to art, the general consensus is that it is subjective and that you shouldn’t judge others for their preferences. While the sentiment is nice and logically sound, this isn’t the type of behavior you’ll see from many fans who are willing to defend their favorite musicians, movies, and books to the ends of the Earth and are very quick to shut down any kind of criticism anyone else might have. Sometimes, this leads to interesting debates; other times, it is nothing more than a screaming match. And while there’s no denying the subjectivity of the arts, some pieces stand out from the rest.
Animated motion features have not been the domain of serious movie-goers for the majority of their existence, being disregarded, considered immature, and devalued. In the Western world, in particular, animation has been seen as a genre solely dedicated to children, while attempts at adult animation have been seen as only capable of attracting the geeks instead of the no-nonsense people who want to go to the cinema. Things are changing gradually, and more people are willing to give animation a try. As a result, the genre is also evolving, becoming more sophisticated in both plots and art styles.
Whisper of the Heart
You’ve probably heard of the 2001 classic Spirited Away, but Studio Ghibli has created several other beautiful films, including the 1995 romantic drama Whisper of the Heart. The plot follows a 14-year-old student who lives with her parents and older sister in Tokyo and whose passion is creative writing. Through a series of almost magical events, she meets Seiji, the grandson of an antique shop owner who dreams of becoming a luthier.
X-Men: Evolution
If you’re a fan of the X-Men world, you’ll love this series. Even today, more than two decades after its original release, most fans swear by it and see it as one of the best pieces of media existing in this universe. Spanning four seasons and fifty-two episodes, the series takes inspiration from the original comics but doesn’t follow its source material religiously. This has turned out to be a positive change, leading to the creation of a character-driven show that felt relatable to its audience.
The X-Men are enjoying renewed popularity this year following the release of the wildly successful Deadpool & Wolverine. If you’re a fan of the mutants as well, you should consider adding a cool Wolverine pop figure to your merch collection. After all, he remains one of the most iconic characters of the X-Men as a result of his mysterious aura, down-to-earth and rugged exterior that hides a heart of gold, and his ability to evolve and change as a character and still remain believable over the years.
Zootopia
Zootopia was very successful from the moment it was released and proved to be a box-office hit. It follows a relatively straightforward plot, focused on a rabbit named Judy, who was born and raised in the countryside and dreams about a career in law enforcement in the big city. The themes explore real-life issues such as stereotyping, discrimination, and the consequences of one’s actions, especially when they are negative but stemming from good intentions. The animation is rich and vibrant, and the plot treats its serious themes in a sensible way without allowing the movie to become too slow or moralizing so that younger audiences are still entertained.
How to Train Your Dragon
Fans of fantasy stories will definitely love the story of Hiccup, the teenage son of Viking village chieftain Stoick the Vast, who bonds with the dragon Toothless and sees a chance to change the future of his clan as a result. The thing that makes How to Train Your Dragon and its sequels so compelling is the focus on the coming-of-age story, the beautiful and emotional connections between the characters, especially Hiccup and Toothless, and the stunning, triumphant score. The flight scenes are particularly moving for first-time viewers.
Up
Up is a 2009 Pixar production that has become incredibly popular even among those who haven’t watched it as a result of its memorable opening scene, which is a crucial element of the film’s success and a cultural milestone in the animation world. Critics have praised its emotional depth, animation, characterization, and narrative. One of the nicest things about Up is that it has a main character in his late 70s instead of a plucky teenager, an interesting thing considering that older adults are typically relegated to the roles of grandparents and wise supporters in films, being only rarely allowed to take center stage and have adventures of their own.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Spider-Man is one of the most beloved superheroes in the world, and variations of his story have been told across several mediums over the years. This one follows New York City Miles Morales as he uncovers his superpowers after being bitten by a radioactive spider in the subway. But that’s not his biggest issue, as he soon encounters several other Spider-People from other universes, and they have to join forces to face a common enemy. A sequel titled Across the Spider-Verse was released in 2023 and met with just as much acclaim by fans and critics alike, while a third film, Beyond the Spider-Verse, is in production as of 2024.
Long Way North
Long Way North is a historical production with a young aristocratic girl as the main character. The year is 1882, and she decides that she needs to set out on an epic adventure in order to discover what happened to her grandfather, a renowned scientist and Arctic explorer who never returned from his last expedition. The plot of this film is intelligent and based on genuine emotion instead of pure sentimentality.
There are so many good animated films and series out there, and the more you discover, the more you’ll like to see. Make sure to do your research and give a chance to productions made all over the world. You have the opportunity to find some real gems.
