Anastasia (1997)
[7] There’s a lot to like about the first animated feature produced by 20th Century Fox, even if the sum of the parts is a bit uneven. Anastasia draws upon Russian history and legend, centering around the youngest daughter or…
Heavy Metal (1981)
[7] Producer Ivan Reitman (Ghostbusters) wrangled together animation companies from around the world to assemble Heavy Metal, a string of six animated shorts based on the popular adult fantasy magazine. The stories are tied together by a loose framing device…
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
[5] With this film, Walt Disney gave the world its first feature-length animated motion picture. So that counts for something, right? The story's title heroine begins the film a humble scullery maid, content to scrub cobblestone walkways while singing to…
Lilo & Stitch (2002)
[8] A trouble-making alien crash-lands on a Hawaiian island where he's adopted by Lilo, an ostracized little girl whose parents are recently deceased. Lilo names the alien 'Stitch' and begins to tame his wild ways while offering him a place…
Akira (1988)
[7] Katsuhiro Ôtomo directs this adaptation of his sprawling manga series about (okay, deep breath...) a futuristic biker who squares off against a former friend who has turned evil through scientific experimentation, transforming him into a dangerous super-being of both…
Rock & Rule (1983)
[4] In this animated rock musical out of Canada, a waning pop star named Mok seeks to summon a demon for his own nefarious gain. But to do so, he must find a voice powerful enough to open the gateway…
Cinderella (1950)
[3] I'm a fan of many Disney animated features, but I find Cinderella to be one of the company's stinkers. My problems are largely conceptual. I'm simply not a fan of a heroine who's not strong or clever enough to…
Saludos Amigos (1942)
[3] Vying with Nazi Germany to create ties in South American countries during World War II, the U.S. government guaranteed Walt Disney federal loans to produce animated films celebrating South American culture. Saludos Amigos is the first resulting film from…
The Brave Little Toaster (1987)
[8] The Brave Little Toaster bares the title of an innocuous children's cartoon, but there's more to this gem than may initially meet the eye. First, know that Pixar Animation founder John Lasseter originally pitched this movie as his first…
Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003)
[5] Brad Pitt voices one of cinema's most famous adventure heroes for Dreamworks Animation's Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas. Sinbad begins the tale as a man with loose morals who strikes a deal with Eris, the goddess of chaos…