Treasure Planet in 13 seconds

One of Disney’s lesser-known animated movies, and it’s not hard to envision the pitch session, attended by a) a ’90’s Extreme Sports  aficionado, b) a lowbrow humor enthusiast, and c)someone who wanted to redo “Titan A.E.”  What emerged isn’t half-bad, considering.

Fantastic Mr. Fox redux in 13 seconds

Every time I see this movie I like it more.  It’s such a laid-back story, with laid-back everything (which is different from boring). Wes Anderson’s brand of comedy works here, and I wonder if the fact that I’m watching an animated film makes the disconnect I usually feel towards his movies’ eccentricities more palatable.

Shrek Forever After in 13 seconds

Better than the last one, which isn’t saying much.  There’s some decent laughs, and Shrek’s fear at losing his ogre-hood strikes a chord. I’ll be honest, though, these message movies (aimed squarely at men, it seems) is, stop wanting what you don’t have, be happy with what you do.  There’s a reason men feel this way, folks–investigation is required, not forced contentment.

Tangled in 13 seconds

I loved this movie, in part because it captures the non-complicated, non-sarcastic age of innocence that’s taken a back-seat these last twenty years. And, I admit it, I loved the songs. Zachary Levi and Mandy Moore both have perfect voices for animation.

Megamind redux in 13 seconds

What stood out to me this time around was the sophistication and delivery of the jokes. It’s a best argument I know for how you can’t make an animated movie and just pull people off the street to read the script.

Coraline redux in 13 seconds

There’s just something about the pacing of this film that feels quiet and somewhat creepy to me.  I know it’s completely intentional, and since I can’t put my finger on how they do it, it impresses me.  I think it’s my favorite of the stop-motion animation films that A Nightmare before Christmas kicked off.

G. I. Joe Resolute in 13 seconds

An animated film, only an hour long.  Which is a bummer, because it had 1) a decent story, 2) characters that made sense and 3)little or no cheese.  In other words, it was the G.I. Joe running through my imagination when I was a kid.  Also in other words, in NO way resembling the feature film from a couple years ago.

Despicable Me in 13 seconds

Despicable Me doesn’t aspire to greatness–it’ll suffer in comparison to any Pixar movie. And therein lies the charm–I didn’t have to wind up to see it. I laughed quite a bit and the end was even a little affecting. They shot for the hills, and did just fine.

Megamind in 13 seconds

I read a review that speculated that a super hero comedy meant the genre had almost run its course. To which I reply…it’s funny. And not overly prone to parody or self-awareness. I.e. it’s good. That’s all.