List of Fives Part Seven
Five Great Animated Films:
1. Persepolis – Based on a graphic novel of the same name by writer Marjane Satrapi, "Persepolis" tells the story of young Marji growing up during the regime change in Iran. It’s a unique coming-of-age story because it is from Marji’s perspective. Adapted from the writer’s own life story, it’s an alternative viewpoint to Iran than what a Western audience might perceive. Visually, the animation is simply but potent, told in black and white and shades of grey. (Available in French & English.)
2. Triplets of Belleville – Another French film, this one tells the story of Madame Souza, her grandson Champion, and the delightfully off-center Triplets, once famous jazz singers. After Champion is kidnapped during the Tour de France, Souza sets out to rescue her grandson, crossing the Atlantic and ending up in the mysterious seaport of Belleville, home of the French mafia. There, she encounters the Triplets, joins their band and finds her grandson being held in the clutches of the Godfather of the French mob himself. Chaos ensues. Love this film. It’s quirky and strange and wild. And the music is great, too. (French with English Subtitles)
3. Fire and Ice – This film, from Ralph Bakshi, is controversial for many reasons. First is that the filmmaker used rotoscoping, a technique where the animator draws on previously filmed actions and movements. Secondly, there is the discussion about whether the “sub-humans” in the film are meant to represent black people. I’m black and I honestly don’t see it. I think they are supposed to be Neanderthal-like men. But, I have loved this film since I saw it ages ago and it is still one of my favorite pieces of animation. It’s an action-adventure tale and is there a better character than Darkwolf? Come on!
4. Sleeping Beauty – I think this masterpiece is the finest animated film ever produced by Walt Disney. It’s gorgeously drawn, with its tapestry-like backgrounds and beautifully scored, using Tchaikovsky’s compositions from his ballet, “Sleeping Beauty.” Princess Aurora is given some screen time, as is the hero, Prince Phillip. The three fairies, Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather, are hilarious but still potent enough to take on the absolutely fabulous villain, Maleficent. It is this villain that sets this film apart from the other “princess” fairy tales from Disney. Maleficent is unrepentantly evil and that’s what makes her so dangerous. It doesn’t get any better than this.
5. Howl’s Moving Castle – Okay, anything from Hayao Miyazaki is a classic but I think that “Howl’s Moving Castle” is something extra special. Based on Diana Wynne Jones’ novel, this adaptation takes the story to a whole new dimension. Young Sophie is transformed into an old woman who ends up working for the mysterious sorcerer Howl and living in his moving castle. Helped along by Howl’s apprentice Markl and the comically disturbing fire demon, Calcifer, Sophie hopes to break the spell cast upon her and ends up freeing Howl from his own particular curse and restoring peace to the world. Miyazaki never shies away from the whimsical to add heart to a story. His adherence to old-school animation serves the story well and enhances the more fantastical story elements. This is a great addition to any animated collection.
1. Persepolis – Based on a graphic novel of the same name by writer Marjane Satrapi, "Persepolis" tells the story of young Marji growing up during the regime change in Iran. It’s a unique coming-of-age story because it is from Marji’s perspective. Adapted from the writer’s own life story, it’s an alternative viewpoint to Iran than what a Western audience might perceive. Visually, the animation is simply but potent, told in black and white and shades of grey. (Available in French & English.)
2. Triplets of Belleville – Another French film, this one tells the story of Madame Souza, her grandson Champion, and the delightfully off-center Triplets, once famous jazz singers. After Champion is kidnapped during the Tour de France, Souza sets out to rescue her grandson, crossing the Atlantic and ending up in the mysterious seaport of Belleville, home of the French mafia. There, she encounters the Triplets, joins their band and finds her grandson being held in the clutches of the Godfather of the French mob himself. Chaos ensues. Love this film. It’s quirky and strange and wild. And the music is great, too. (French with English Subtitles)
3. Fire and Ice – This film, from Ralph Bakshi, is controversial for many reasons. First is that the filmmaker used rotoscoping, a technique where the animator draws on previously filmed actions and movements. Secondly, there is the discussion about whether the “sub-humans” in the film are meant to represent black people. I’m black and I honestly don’t see it. I think they are supposed to be Neanderthal-like men. But, I have loved this film since I saw it ages ago and it is still one of my favorite pieces of animation. It’s an action-adventure tale and is there a better character than Darkwolf? Come on!
4. Sleeping Beauty – I think this masterpiece is the finest animated film ever produced by Walt Disney. It’s gorgeously drawn, with its tapestry-like backgrounds and beautifully scored, using Tchaikovsky’s compositions from his ballet, “Sleeping Beauty.” Princess Aurora is given some screen time, as is the hero, Prince Phillip. The three fairies, Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather, are hilarious but still potent enough to take on the absolutely fabulous villain, Maleficent. It is this villain that sets this film apart from the other “princess” fairy tales from Disney. Maleficent is unrepentantly evil and that’s what makes her so dangerous. It doesn’t get any better than this.
5. Howl’s Moving Castle – Okay, anything from Hayao Miyazaki is a classic but I think that “Howl’s Moving Castle” is something extra special. Based on Diana Wynne Jones’ novel, this adaptation takes the story to a whole new dimension. Young Sophie is transformed into an old woman who ends up working for the mysterious sorcerer Howl and living in his moving castle. Helped along by Howl’s apprentice Markl and the comically disturbing fire demon, Calcifer, Sophie hopes to break the spell cast upon her and ends up freeing Howl from his own particular curse and restoring peace to the world. Miyazaki never shies away from the whimsical to add heart to a story. His adherence to old-school animation serves the story well and enhances the more fantastical story elements. This is a great addition to any animated collection.
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