Animation has been undermined and overlooked for far too long in the grand scheme of cinema. An innovative, imaginative, and unapologetically creative form of entertainment, animation is at the disposal of its artists. The beginnings of two-dimensional animation are considered to be the roots of the art form and have inspired triumphs for future generations of animators. Animation has represented itself across broad reaches of entertainment media and has spanned across the spectrum of pop culture. Video games, film, television, and other media have utilized animation to the most of its power.
Superheroes and superheroism have left an indelible impact on today’s most popular and sought-after industries. The comic book industry has excelled since its inception and has promised that it will continue to flourish as time carries on. Prominent publishing houses have dominated the genre both in print and in live-action as the DC Extended Universe and the Marvel Cinematic Universe have possessed the box office for decades. Indeed, animation and superhero-centric media were destined to complement one another as superheroism did not solely pertain to comic books. The endlessness of possibilities that came with new heroic tales — or dreaming up villains to take them on — was not inherently required to stick to what was circulating in print. Animated superhero movies rapidly began to take new shape as studios knew there would be an evergreen interest at play. They bound artistry with inspiration from the world around them to understand the elasticity of who or what a hero could be. While animated superhero movies are finally being given the recognition they deserve, these select few remain to be the best.
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5 The Incredibles
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Pixar and the Walt Disney Company joined the superhero game before the acquisition of Marvel Studios and broke ground for non-comic book features during the early dawn of the 2000s. The Incredibles tightly grasps every element of a superhero story while landing it in suburbia. It pulls familiar concepts from graphic novels, yet incorporates them so that there is still a strike of originality that courses through the film. High-intensity action is coupled with everyday family quarreling as there is a sense of relatability assigned to The Incredibles. Perhaps not every typical family is toeing a fine line between saving the world and planning for their children’s futures, but these beats of the mundane give a more commonplace approach to what could be a complex story. The Incredibles celebrates the victories of family life while nourishing a hunger for new superhero stories being told as the craving begins to emerge. In his debut movie, Brad Bird keeps in stride with Pixar’s appeal to an entire family without having to speak down to an audience. Poignant storytelling is embellished by restless and kinetic action. The Incredibles insist that anyone has the power to be incredible.
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MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
4 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 1 & 2
Warner Bros. Animation
DC Comics has insisted that Batman will never fully depart from the brand. The Dark Knight’s iconic reputation refuses to take a step back from the pages of the books as the power he holds over superhero media remains to be unshakable. Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns two-parter, based on his own comics, finds a fitting conclusion for Bruce Wayne’s career. Not for a younger demographic, The Dark Knight Returns saga spoke to a more seasoned crowd who craved a grittier Caped Crusader, grizzled and weary in his old age. Noir themes and mature concepts shift their weight into The Dark Knight Returns saga as it seeks out an appropriate conclusion to the Batman mythos. As a set, the animated pair displays great respect for their source material. They exemplify Miller’s gravelly take on morality and internalize it to be as personal as possible. The Dark Knight Returns doublet white-knuckles what noir comics can convey when executed with care. Warner Bros. Animation goes beyond the typical Batman story for an exemplary feat of artistry in the DC Animated Universe. Christopher Drake’s musical score dials into the tone of The Dark Knight Returns Part 1, and that anticipation for The Dark Knight Returns Part 2 seeps through the soundtrack. Above all, the animated The Dark Knight Returns duo proves that there is no need to rely on live-action to capture Batman’s moral conflict.
3 Batman: Under the Red Hood
Batman: Death in the Family grounded itself as the inspiration for Batman: Under the Red Hood, a highly-praised contribution to Batman’s omnipresence across the DC Comics universe. The animation used to bring Batman: Under the Red Hood to small screens was striking, though it was the costume design that was more memorable in the comic adaptation. Costume designs in animated media are not often considered as a key component of the medium. It was this animated feature that called attention to how details in animation must be taken into account for a successful work of art. Batman: Under the Red Hood was successful in introducing multiple villains while keeping each afloat. Strong writing and voice-acting direction contributed to the impact of Batman’s guilt, and he was finally able to return to his role as a detective. Dark yet brisk, Batman: Under the Red Hood is eager to dive head-first into the brutality that haunts Gotham City. Sharply choreographed fights heighten the intensity that is reinforced as the groundwork of the film and redouble the odds of contesting moral codes. Outstanding voice performances from an impressive cast reassure that Batman: Under the Red Hood is strikingly unforgettable.
2 Big Hero 6
Disney
Marvel and Disney’s innovative collaborative piece breathes new life into what superhero stories hold in store. Big Hero 6 was the product inspired by Marvel Comics, and was adorned with dazzling animation and genuinely appealing characters atop a heartfelt plotline that ensured that there was an emotional investment from audiences. Big Hero 6 was a risk taken by Disney as it strayed away from the typical standards found in the company’s infinitely amassed animated features. Themes of grief, loss, and mental health sat at the forefront of the film. Big Hero 6 was also eager to pick up high energy and intense action as it wedded Western and Eastern popular culture influences. The city of San Fransokyo honors the cultural and social habitats of Tokyo and San Francisco. The animated superhero defies stereotypes of the genre and challenges the binaries of media genres. Big Hero 6 forcefully squelches assumptions made about it and proudly ignites itself with an exceptional sense of verve. As an animated feature, Big Hero 6 has a sense of heart that awards it with a greater sense of being, not just another marketable product ripe for Disney’s picking.
1 Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Sony Pictures Releasing
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is the single saving grace that preserves the appeal of Spider-Man before superhero fatigue threatens disinterest in the wall-crawler. Sony Pictures Animation has truly declared the animated breakout phenomenon as their most victorious work yet as they, per Vulture, developed a new form of animation specifically for the title. Its visually compelling storytelling sharply snaps attention and demands its hold with unwavering strength. Its one-of-a-kind aesthetic honors the comics that it pulls its inspiration from, though adds an unforgettable punch to pop art. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse follows a similar origin path with a more intriguing spin; an origin story given to Miles Morales in live-action could not be more flattering or rightfully deserved than the narrative penned by Phil Lord and Rodney Rothman. Exhilarating in every sense of the word, hyper-pop action paired with the genuine sense of excitement associated with Spider-Man refuses to permit the animated feature to lose momentum for a moment. Moreover, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse illustrates the power of hope in oneself and the power of seeking the good in others. With its uplifting spirit carried by a renewed air of self-confidence, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse remains to be an undisputed champion in the superhero genre. Sony Pictures Animation’s bombastic break into the Spider-Man multiverse is an unparalleled sensation.
