The Animation Hall of Fame: 10 Films That Defined the Genre

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THE LORAX (2012) – Movie Review

Plot Summary:
The Lorax (2012), based on Dr. Seuss’s beloved book, brings the whimsical world of Thneedville to life in a vibrant animated adventure. The story follows a young boy named Ted Wiggins (voiced by Zac Efron), who is on a mission to impress Audrey (voiced by Taylor Swift), the girl of his dreams. Audrey dreams of seeing a real tree, as the entire town of Thneedville is entirely artificial, with no nature to speak of.

Ted’s search for a real tree leads him to the reclusive Once-ler (voiced by Ed Helms), who tells him the story of the Lorax (voiced by Danny DeVito), a creature who “speaks for the trees.” Through a series of flashbacks, we learn that the Once-ler once came to Thneedville to exploit the Truffula Trees, which the Lorax fiercely protected. As the Once-ler’s greed grew, the trees were cut down, and the land became desolate. The Lorax, disheartened by the destruction, had to leave, but not before leaving a powerful message about environmental stewardship.

Now, in the present day, the town is smothered by an artificial, polluted world. Ted’s journey to find a tree becomes a symbol of hope, as he learns about the consequences of unchecked greed and the power of individual action in making a change.

MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN (2014) – Movie Review

Plot Summary:
Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014) is an animated adventure-comedy based on the beloved characters from the 1960s Rocky and Bullwinkle show. The film follows the brilliant and eccentric Mr. Peabody (voiced by Ty Burrell), a highly intelligent, talking dog who has won multiple Nobel Prizes, invented countless innovations, and is regarded as one of the world’s most extraordinary minds. Alongside him is his adopted son, Sherman (voiced by Max Charles), a curious and kind-hearted boy who is eager to learn and embrace the world.

The adventure kicks off when Sherman accidentally travels through time using Mr. Peabody’s invention, the WABAC Machine—a device that allows them to visit key moments in history. However, a mishap sends Sherman and a classmate, Penny Peterson (voiced by Ariel Winter), back to ancient Egypt, where their actions disrupt the timeline. As the duo encounters historical figures like King Tut, Leonardo da Vinci, and Marie Antoinette, Mr. Peabody must travel through time to retrieve them and set things right, all while avoiding the consequences of messing with history.

The film combines fast-paced action, humor, and heart, while exploring themes of family, identity, and the power of knowledge. It delves into the relationship between Mr. Peabody and Sherman, as they both learn what it means to be a family, no matter how unconventional.

FERDINAND (2017) – Movie Review

Plot Summary:
Ferdinand (2017) is an animated family film that tells the heartwarming story of a gentle, kind-hearted bull named Ferdinand (voiced by John Cena), who is mistakenly believed to be a fierce and aggressive creature. After a traumatic incident as a calf, Ferdinand is taken from his family and raised in a ranch where bulls are trained for bullfighting. Despite his large size and intimidating appearance, Ferdinand is more interested in smelling flowers and enjoying the peaceful life than engaging in brutal fights.

When the time comes for Ferdinand to face his destiny in the ring, he escapes and embarks on a journey to return to his home, hoping to reunite with his loving family. Along the way, he encounters a variety of quirky and colorful characters, including Valiente (voiced by Pablo, a rival bull), Lupe (a wisecracking goat voiced by Kate McKinnon), and a group of farm animals who help him in his quest. As Ferdinand battles his own identity as a bull and challenges the expectations set for him, he discovers that true courage comes from being oneself.

The film’s themes revolve around kindness, individuality, and defying expectations, with Ferdinand’s story reminding us that one doesn’t have to conform to society’s labels to be brave and strong.

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA (2012) – Movie Review

Plot Summary:
Hotel Transylvania (2012) is a fun, family-friendly animated film that brings together a star-studded voice cast and a playful take on classic monsters. The story centers around Count Dracula (voiced by Adam Sandler), who runs a luxurious, hidden hotel designed as a sanctuary for monsters. The hotel, located far from the human world, offers a safe haven for creatures like vampires, werewolves, mummies, and Frankensteins, where they can relax without the fear of being hunted by humans.

Dracula’s life takes a turn when his daughter Mavis (voiced by Selena Gomez), who has been raised in the hotel, decides she wants to explore the world outside. On her 118th birthday, Dracula throws a lavish party to celebrate and tries to keep her from leaving. However, things get complicated when a human, Jonathan (voiced by Andy Samberg), accidentally stumbles into the hotel. He’s mistaken for a monster, and Dracula must go to great lengths to protect the secret of the hotel while trying to prevent Mavis from falling for Jonathan.

As Dracula becomes more involved in hiding Jonathan’s true identity, he starts to realize that maybe the world outside isn’t as dangerous as he thought, and that it’s okay to let Mavis live her own life.

BRAVE (2012) – Movie Review

Plot Summary:
Brave (2012) is a captivating animated film from Pixar, set in the mystical, rugged highlands of Scotland. The story follows Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald), a fiery, independent princess who is skilled in archery and wants nothing more than to live life on her own terms. Merida’s mother, Elinor (voiced by Emma Thompson), is the traditional queen, hoping to mold her daughter into a refined, diplomatic figure who will uphold the kingdom’s customs and obligations. The tension between Merida and Elinor comes to a head when Merida is expected to marry one of the three suitors chosen by her mother, a union that she does not want.

In a moment of defiance, Merida flees into the forest and encounters a will-o’-the-wisp, a magical spirit that leads her to a witch (voiced by Julie Walters). The witch grants her a spell that she hopes will change her mother’s mind, but instead, the spell transforms Elinor into a bear. Now, Merida must find a way to undo the curse before it’s too late, all while learning the importance of family, understanding, and responsibility.

As Merida and Elinor navigate the wild and dangerous highlands, they come to understand each other better and bond in unexpected ways, ultimately learning that strength comes from both individuality and unity.

MALEFICENT (2014) – Movie Review

Plot Summary:
Maleficent (2014) is a dark, imaginative reimagining of Disney’s classic Sleeping Beauty, told from the perspective of the iconic villain, Maleficent (played by Angelina Jolie). The film explores the untold backstory of Maleficent, a powerful fairy whose heart was once pure, but whose life takes a tragic turn after a betrayal that sets her on the path of vengeance.

As a young, kind-hearted fairy, Maleficent grows up in a lush, magical kingdom where she becomes the protector of the land. However, her peaceful existence is shattered when a human named Stefan (played by Sharlto Copley), who she once loved, betrays her for personal gain. In an act of revenge, Maleficent curses Stefan’s daughter, Aurora (played by Elle Fanning), to fall into a deep sleep after pricking her finger on a spinning wheel, an echo of the curse in the original story. However, as Aurora grows, Maleficent starts to feel a deep connection to the girl, who represents innocence and hope, and begins to regret the curse she placed on her.

The film explores themes of love, betrayal, redemption, and the complexity of good and evil as Maleficent’s character evolves from a vengeful sorceress to a protector, ultimately realizing that her heart was not as dark as she believed. As the story unfolds, Maleficent must confront her past actions and choose between vengeance and forgiveness in order to save Aurora and restore peace to the kingdom.

CRUELLA (2021) – Movie Review

Plot Summary:
Cruella (2021) is a darkly stylish origin story that reimagines the infamous Disney villain Cruella de Vil, known for her obsession with fur coats in 101 Dalmatians. Set in 1970s London, the film explores the rebellious early years of Estella (played by Emma Stone), a young woman with a flair for fashion and a sharp, ambitious edge. The movie follows Estella as she embarks on her journey to become the iconic villain Cruella, showing her transformation from an ambitious designer to a figure consumed by rivalry, revenge, and, eventually, her dark alter-ego.

Estella begins her journey working as a lowly fashion designer, struggling to make a name for herself. However, her life takes a dramatic turn when she crosses paths with the wealthy Baroness von Hellman (played by Emma Thompson), a fashion mogul known for her cold-heartedness and ruthless business practices. Estella’s passion for fashion grows as she enters the world of haute couture, but the Baroness becomes an obstacle in her pursuit of recognition, leading to a bitter rivalry.

Through a combination of wit, ingenuity, and manipulation, Estella’s alter-ego, Cruella, begins to emerge. As she takes on the persona of the eccentric, villainous fashionista, she’s drawn deeper into a web of schemes and betrayals, eventually setting her sights on becoming a powerful player in the fashion world.

The film explores themes of identity, revenge, and the cost of ambition, as Estella learns that the road to success is often paved with betrayal and loss. In the end, Cruella is about how a young woman discovers and fully embraces her darker side in her pursuit of power and recognition.

DUMBO (2019) – Movie Review

Plot Summary:
Dumbo (2019), directed by Tim Burton, is a live-action adaptation of Disney’s beloved 1941 animated classic. The film centers around Holt Farrier (played by Colin Farrell), a former circus star who returns home after serving in World War I. Upon his return, he finds his life in disarray, with his beloved circus in decline. Holt is tasked with looking after a newborn elephant with oversized ears, which the circus owner, Max Medici (played by Danny DeVito), hopes will attract attention and revitalize the show.

However, when Holt’s children, Milly (played by Nico Parker) and Joe (played by Finley Hobbins), discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus begins to garner the attention of V.A. Vandevere (played by Michael Keaton), a wealthy entrepreneur who runs a lavish amusement park called Dreamland. Vandevere sees potential in Dumbo’s flying abilities and takes him away to perform in his park, but as Dumbo becomes the star attraction, the dark side of Vandevere’s ambitions starts to unfold. Holt and his family must come to terms with the exploitation of the gentle elephant, ultimately fighting to set him free.

The movie expands on the original story, adding new layers of emotional depth and exploring themes of family, exploitation, and finding strength in the face of adversity. Dumbo’s journey from being a circus oddity to a symbol of hope and freedom is at the heart of the film.

FINDING NEMO (2003) – Movie Review

Plot Summary:
Finding Nemo (2003), directed by Andrew Stanton and produced by Pixar, is a heartwarming animated adventure about a clownfish named Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) who embarks on an epic journey to find his son, Nemo (voiced by Alexander Gould). After Nemo is captured by a scuba diver and placed in a fish tank at a dentist’s office, Marlin must overcome his fears and venture into the vast, dangerous ocean to rescue him.

Marlin is joined by Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres), a forgetful and optimistic regal blue tang fish who offers much-needed comic relief and support during their perilous journey. Along the way, they encounter a variety of colorful sea creatures, from sharks to sea turtles, all of whom play a role in their adventure.

Meanwhile, Nemo, trapped in the dentist’s office, befriends the other fish in the tank, including Gill (voiced by Willem Dafoe), who helps him come up with a plan to escape. As both Marlin and Nemo face their own challenges and fears, they learn valuable lessons about trust, bravery, and the importance of family.