[7.75/10] Rise of the Guardians [3D] (2012)

Rise of the Guardians [3D] (2012)

Brief review: Based on William Joyce's book series "The Guardians of Childhood, "Rise of the Guardians" is DreamWorks' latest feature, which turns out to be of those animated flicks, that can be equally enjoyed by the kids and their parents, thanks to its solid story, high entertainment value, and eye-popping visuals. David Lindsay-Abaire's cleverly-adapted script mixes up mythological and fantasy elements with huge amount of wit and juvenile innocence, in order to provides us with an engaging storyline with never a dull moment, that is as kind-hearted and affecting, as its briskly-paced and action-packed. Moreover, the film's moral beliefs are so pure and sincere, it will make you feel like a happy kid, who still believes in Santa Claus, Easter Rabbit, Tooth Fairy, Sandman, and even Jack Frost. "Rise of the Guardians" is crafted with vivid imagination, and that shows through the vibrant animation, impressive use of color and remarkable attention to detail. That being said, some of the characters' design, particularly the human and the human-looking ones, isn't the slickest you'll ever see, simply because their faces look a bit waxy. The other characters, however, are beautifully-crafted, especially the Tooth Fairy and the baby fairies, which are the cutest little things you'll ever see. The use of 3D in this one is downright jaw-dropping, and arguably the best in any animated flick ever created. The voice acting is spot-on for the most part, breathing life into the lovable CGI characters.

Overall summary: Energetic, lively, imaginative, full of fresh ideas, and definitely worth-seeing in glorious 3D, "Rise of the Guardians" not only astounds with its vivid, colorful, and richly-crafted animation, but also has heart-warming morality and magicality, that will win you over.

[8.25/10] Frankenweenie (2012)

Frankenweenie (2012)

QuickRating: Paying homage to such classics as "Pet Sematary" and "Godzilla", Burton's "Frankenstein" inspired stop-motion horror spoof "Frankenweenie" is crafted with big love, care, and passion, and that shows through the lively, superbly-written and designed characters,  and darkly stunning black-and-white visuals. Although typically grim and Gothic in tone and look, this film has a truly endearing story that will melt your heart, as well as humor that will make you smile and cheer.

[7.75/10] ParaNorman (2012)

ParaNorman (2012)

QuickRating: Slightly scary for little kids, but great fun for the older ones (as well as adults) seeking for something different, and even softly chilling, "ParaNorman" may lack the creativity, complexity and slickness of "Coraline", but it's nevertheless an inventive, incredibly well-crafted and marvellously-animated stop motion feature, with smart script, dark sense of humor, unique visual approach, impressive attention to detail, and last but not least a climax with surprising emotional depth.

[7.00/10] Brave (2012)

Brave (2012)

QuickRating: The story about a rebellious tomboy princess is a bit too by-the-numbers and lacking in originality, and definitely not on par with Pixar's finest efforts, but still "Brave" is entertaining and thrilling enough to hold youngster's (and their parents) interest for about 93 minutes, thanks to the brisk pacing, joyous nature, engaging characters, and some magical moments, but above all the splendid animation, which is vibrant, rich in color and detail, and exquisitely-designed.

[8.00/10] Wreck-It Ralph [3D] (2012)

Wreck-It Ralph [3D] (2012)

Brief review: From "The Simpsons" TV series director, Rich Moore, "Wreck-it Ralph" is yet another winner from the esteemed Walt Disney Animation Studios, that can be easily enjoyed by all ages. What makes this gem of an animation as complex as it is, is the fact that it manages to be visually breathtaking, without compromising on the plot and character development. The unique and wonderfully-conceived story successfully pays homage to the classic arcade video games we all loved, and grew up with, hence, it brings back precious memories from our childhood. "Wreck-it Ralph" may be lively and playful, but it's not all about fun and games, as it has a softer, emotional side that teaches it's okay to be different, as well as a powerful moral message for children, about giving chance to misfits. The film also has a very charming and lovable, main character with quirky personality and big heart, that many kids can relate to, and an adorable and very memorable heroine. Visually, "Wreck-it Ralph" is absolutely stunning to look at. The largely experienced Disney animators once again demonstrate an almost explosive imagination, and cleverly and skillfully mix together different styles of animation, with the end result being a brilliant blend of old, new, classic and contemporary CG graphics, that are also bright and incredibly colorful. The 3D effects, while far from spectacular, add detail and depth to the imagery. 

Overall summary: Clever, thoroughly original, delightfully nostalgic, and emotionally heartfelt, "Wreck-it Ralph" is a smashing entertainment for children and adults alike, that not only dazzles with its vividly beautiful 3D imagery, but also has a surprising amount of heart and soul.

This review is also featured on TVFilmNews.com

[6.25/10] The Lorax (2012)

Dr. Seuss'
The Lorax (2012)

QuickRating: The graphics are definitely imaginative, the polished CGI animation is exuberant, vivid and colorful, most of the characters are absolutely adorable, and the film brings a great moral message for little kids, but despite all these positive aspects, while Dr. Seuss' "The Lorax" is cute, enjoyable and easy to watch, it isn't particularly special, original or very memorable, especially plot-wise, and will hardly stand the test of time.

[7.00/10] Ice Age: Continental Drift [3D] (2012)

Ice Age: Continental Drift [3D] (2012)

Brief review: Blue Sky Studios continues to provide us with steadily solid sequels to the original "Ice Age" movie, which quickly became a world-wide favorite back in 2002. Now ten years later, the studio brings us "Continental Drift" - a worthy sequel that proves the series still has a lot of potential, despite its rather narrow premise. Being obviously set in the ice age, this franchise is limited by its own concept, which doesn't allow its creators to run their imagination wild, plot-wise. For that reason, "Ice Age 4" doesn't shine with much originality in terms of storytelling, but compensates that with high entertainment value, wittily written script, amusing characters and gorgeous visuals. The animation has definitely evolved since "Dawn of the Dinosaurs", becoming much more polished. Yes, the color palette lacks that in-your-face vividness, and the visuals aren't particularly vibrant, but considering the icy CGI surroundings, that's kind of understandable. Sadly, the 3D isn't that great, and barely elevates the visuals to another level. Our beloved protagonists Manny, Diego, and Sid are just as funny and likable as we remember them to be, but if you think Scrat steals the show yet again, you're wrong, because all the glory belongs to one newly introduced character - Sid's Granny. She brings the biggest laughs with her mega-cool, free-spirited attitude and funny looks, and in fact, saves the flick from being average.

Overall summary: Yes, it all feels overly familiar, but for a third sequel "Ice Age 4" offers enough wittiness, funny gags, eye-catching visuals and exciting action to stand out from its predecessors, plus, it features one of the funniest, most hilarious animated characters ever.

You can read an extended version of my "Ice Age: Continental Drift 3D" movie review over at White Cat Magazine. The brief version of it is also featured on the site TVFilmNews.com.

[6.00/10] Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted [3D] (2012)

Madagascar 3:
Europe's Most Wanted [3D] (2012)

Brief review: While certainly a slight improvement over its average predecessor "Madagascar 2: Escape from Africa", Dreamwork's second sequel to 2005's crowd-pleaser has its flaws and lacks the punch that made the favorite original film so memorable. As disappointing as it may sound, "Europe's Most Wanted" contains very few good laughs, and it's not nearly as funny as its promising trailers suggested it to be. The script is well-written and moderately clever, but let's be honest - a couple of witty lines and clever jokes do not make a smart movie. On the other hand, the story is entertaining, tremendously adventurous, briskly paced and heartfelt, so there's zero boredom. The newly introduced characters are just as likable and adorable as our favorite animated protagonists, and the villain, Captain Chantel DuBois, lifts the movie to another level. At least visually, "Madagascar 3" hardly disappoints. While the execution is far from being super-slick and on-par with the best Dreamwork / Pixar animated features, the CG animation itself is bright, vivid and colorful, and with enough details and stunning CGI backdrops to leave a huge impression on the viewers. The breathtaking 'flying circus' sequence towards the end deserves a special mention, as it certainly has the 'wow factor'. The use of 3D in this particular scene is remarkable, and overall the 3D effects in this animated romp add to the visual experience.

Overall summary: It's entertaining, amusing, adventurous and at times delightfully witty, and the animation is crisp, but "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" is neither as smart nor as hilarious as it's supposed to be, and in fact, it's not particularly memorable nor very inventive.

This review is also featured on TVFilmNews.com

[7.50/10] The Pirates! Band of Misfits [3D] (2012)

The Pirates!
Band of Misfits [3D] (2012)

Brief review: One of the creators of the unique and hilarious "Chicken Run", Peter Lord, along with "Flushed Away"'s head animator, Jeff Newitt, bring us yet another brilliantly-executed stop-motion animated film, produced and released by Aardman Animations, who also gave us the amazing "Wallace and Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit". The movie displays enough originality and creativity to save itself from being 'you typical pirate affair', and delivers many clever jokes for the adults as well as some silly but funny slapstick for the youngsters. What makes "Pirates!" even more enjoyable and entertaining is the adventurous nature of it, the superbly colorful characters, and last but not least, the ingeniously hilarious, yet inventive action scenes it proudly boasts. Clay animation is extremely difficult to execute and usually takes months, if not years, to put together, and both directors deserve credit for the remarkable job they've done on this truly stellar project. Visually and technically, "Band of Misfits" is quite astonishing and near flawless - the amount of detail is amazing, the clay work is pitch-perfect, and the colors are pastelly, yet vibrant and saturated. The competent use of 3D works in the film's favor and certainly adds depth to the already magnificent visuals. The voice casting is spot-on, with Hugh Grant being the absolute standout with his first-ever voice performance as Captain Pirate.

Overall summary: It lacks the genuine wit and quirky charm of "Chicken Run", but "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" is every bit as visually delightful as Aardman Studios' previous claymation flicks, and has enough fresh ideas, bright humor and whimsicality to shine on its own merits.

[7.25/10] Puss in Boots [3D] (2011)

Puss in Boots [3D] (2011)

QuickRating: The most memorable "Shrek" character finally got the solo spotlight it deserved. It ain't groundbreaking, but it still delivers what it promises - the animation is dazzling, the 3D adds to the already slick visuals, the jokes work and the plot is fun, engaging and exciting. Antonio Banderas does an amazing job voicing the title character, and the rest of the cast is great, but it's the hilarious 'Ooh cat' that remains the true highlight of the movie.

[6.75/10] Ronal the Barbarian (2011)

Ronal the Barbarian (2011)

QuickRating: Featuring irony, dirty language, lots of gore, big boobs, naked bumps, and even bulges, "Ronal the Barbarian" is definitely not suitable for little kids. The older audience, however, will enjoy all the hilarious naughtiness on screen. This cool Danish animated feature spoofs "Conan" and "Lord of the Rings" in a very refreshing, clever and witty way, and the animation is polished and well put together.

[6.50/10] Cars 2 (2011)

Cars 2 (2011)

QuickRating: It won't be a lie to call "Cars 2" a pretty decent animated flick. However, compared to all the other magnificent Pixar films, this is without a doubt the studio's weakest animated movie since, well, the original "Cars". The animation is, crisp, vivid and delightfully colorful, Lasseter and Lewis' direction is energetic and brisk and the story is solid, but let's face it - the whole concept of talking human-like cars just isn't intriguing enough.

[6.25/10] A Monster in Paris (2011)

A Monster in Paris (2011)

QuickRating: Clever, unique and quirky, if far from exceptional, "A Monster in Paris" is a charming and often amusing French animated flick, that balances well musical, comedy, drama and 'horror', and gets better and better with each next scene. The animation itself is spot-on, the Parisian CGI scenery is absolutely splendid, and the songs are a pleasure to listen and so catchy, they'll stick in your head long after the credits roll.

[6.00/10] Winnie the Pooh (2011)

Winnie the Pooh (2011)

QuickRating: The breathtaking hand-drawn animation is beautiful in its simplicity, the innocence of all the sweet and charming characters is adorable, and it definitely brings back childhood memories, but while "Winnie the Pooh" is great fun for little kids, the older members off the audience may find it too juvenile, sluggish, and not to say annoying, and despite its ultra-short running time, this otherwise cute animated flick feels a bit tiresome and slow.

[6.00/10] Happy Feet Two (2011)

Happy Feet Two (2011)

QuickRating: The animation is still jaw-dropping, and the characters are sweet, absolutely adorable and beautifully-designed, but compared to its memorable and highly-original predecessor, "Happy Feet Two" feels somewhat ordinary, plus, the chaotic narrative and the lack of genuine charm make it even less impressive. Having said that, the visuals are so gorgeous and the songs are so catchy, you could easily forgive its other flaws.

[4.00/10] Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs Evil (2011)

Hoodwinked Too!
Hood vs Evil (2011)

QuickRating: While the original movie was a true breath of fresh air into the animation genre, clever and full of wit, this sequel falls flat on its face, and lacks the charm and the high entertainment value of its predecessor. The CGI animation itself has definitely improved, and the characters are still interesting, but it's the messy, uninspired script that makes "Hoodwinked Too!" a rather dull cinematic experience.

[8.00/10] Arthur Christmas [3D] (2011)

Arthur Christmas [3D] (2011)

Brief review: Forget about the traditional Santa Claus and the old-fashioned way he delivers Christmas gifts to a billion kids all over the world in one night, because Sarah Smith's "Arthur Christmas" has a really cool and inventive contemporary spin to it, and will blow you away with its creativity, clever wittiness and fantastic CGI visuals. The script is original, funny, well-written and filled with smart jokes and tons of hilarious situations, but most importantly it has a heart, and that what makes the movie as touching as it's enjoyable. Smith successfully involves high-tech stuff such as computers, smart phones and other sort of cool gadgets used by Santa and his little helpers, but she also has respect for the traditional, throwing in the well-known vintage sledge and adorable deers, in order to honor the spirit of Christmas. The animation is crisp and clean, with vivid colors and some truly beautiful sequences, and the fantastic 3D effects give tremendous depth and detail at times. Each end every one of the characters is wonderfully-designed and full of life, and Santa's gloriously modern workshop, in particular, will leave you in awe. Sadly, I can't comment on the voice performances from the stellar cast involved, because I saw a dubbed version of the movie.

Overall summary: Witty, amusing, and splendidly-animated, "Arthur Christmas" is a modern take on Santa Claus and Christmas, that not only fascinates with its rich 3D visuals and colorful characters, but also delivers an emotional story and a powerful message for kids.

[8.75/10] The Adventures of Tintin [3D] (2011)

The Adventures of Tintin [3D] (2011)

Full review: Based on a series of Belgian comic books of the same name, created by Hergé, "The Adventures of Tintin" is the first animated film in Steven Spielberg's long and enormously successful career, and thanks to his experience and undeniable directing talent, his debut animated feature hardly disappoints. Spielberg once again does wonders, combining his directing versatility with the strength of an old school storytelling and contemporary 3D and CGI techniques, to deliver one of the most spectacular cinematic experiences of the year. Minor flaws aside, "The Adventures of Tintin" is everything an animated movie should be - it's entertaining, briskly-paced, absorbing, enjoyable, funny and charming, but most importantly, it has a great sense of adventure to it, something that most movies seem to be lacking these days. The story itself is exciting, unpredictable and brilliantly-executed, and the dialogues are smartly-written, and full of witty lines and clever jokes, that will make you either smile or laugh hard. That's right, there's never a dull moment in this movie, and that's something that both, those familiar with the material, and those who have never heard of Tintin before, will be pleased and happy with. Moreover, "The Adventures of Tintin" offers some of the best animation ever put on film, because here, the CGI work is an absolute technical marvel! The animation itself is so slick and beautifully-crafted, and the attention to detail in some shots is so impressive, it truly feels like you're watching a live-action movie. Some of the graphics are simply a work of art, with the rich and breathtaking CGI scenery of Bagghar being the visual highlight of this stunning-looking movie. The use of 3D is just as superb, and certainly adds depth to the already gorgeous visuals. Each and every one of the characters is as wonderfully-designed as enchanting, plus, their 'animated' movements are unbelievably smooth and realistically fluid. The voice work is also exceptional. Jamie Bell's voice has so much character, and his tone is so cheerful and lively, he breathes life into our charming protagonist effortlessly. The amazing Andy Serkis gives another stirring voice performance as Captain Haddock, Daniel Craig delivers as Red Rackhamand, and the always funny Pegg/Frost duo do an excellent job voicing the hilarious twin detectives Thomson and Thompson.

Overall summary: Adventurous, hugely enjoyable, utterly enthralling and stunningly-animated, this impressive first-ever animated film, directed by the mastermind Steven Spielberg, should have been called "The Amazing Adventures of Tintin", as it's absolutely extraordinary in every way, and undoubtedly, the best animated feature of 2011.

[5.50/10] The Smurfs (2011)

The Smurfs (2011)

QuickRating: Apart from the vivid and absolutely dazzling animated sequences in the beginning, "The Smurfs" has nothing to do with the utterly brilliant TV series from the 80s. This modernized version just does not possess the magic of the mini-series, and it feels contrived and fabricated. The CGI smurfs are adorable, the cast is okay, and the voice work is good, but that can't compensate for a weak script and sub-par execution.

[6.00/10] Hop (2011)

Hop (2011)

QuickRating: Cute, humorous, colorful and wonderfully-animated, if ultimately forgettable and very thin on story, "Hop" is overall an easy-to-watch and fairly entertaining Easter-themed flick, that kids and youngsters would enjoy for sure. Although, the older audience may find it too juvenile, silly and uninteresting, they still will be impressed by its stunning animation, sweet characters, clever jokes, and fascinating CGI visuals.