Released yesterday on Disney+, the brand new episode of Ice Age reminds us that animated cinema is not limited to Disney and Pixar productions. We have therefore immersed ourselves in the Disney + catalog to find you 5 lesser-known animated films to watch without further ado.
As soon as we talk about animated films, two names systematically come up on the table: Disney and Pixar. It must be said that the studios are at the origin of some of the biggest successes of animated cinema of the last 30 years.
Just see the success ofEncanto or very recent Red alert to be convinced. This hegemony would almost make you forget that animated cinema is not limited to these giants. It is actually made up of a myriad of studios and creators who deliver original works in many ways.
Because animated cinema is above all a multitude of different techniques. From traditional animation to rotoscoping via stop motion, each process makes it possible to explore new artistic and creative avenues, and to deliver a unique vision.
This richness is naturally found in the Disney + catalog. Here is a selection of animated films available on Disney+, which are not from the Disney or Pixar repertoire. The opportunity to also discuss the release of the brand new episode of Ice Age: The Adventures of Buck Wilde.
The Ice Age : an emblematic saga of animated cinema
With The Ice Age, the Blue Sky studio has made a sensational entry into the world of animation. A success far from obvious at first glance, since the studio had previously only produced a few short films, and was best known for its work in the field of special effects, in particular for Fox (Titan AE, fight club or Aliens, resurrection). In order to make its first film, Blue Sky had to overcome many challenges, the main one being to succeed in animating the different animals that make up the cast in a realistic way.
So many challenges that are absolutely not felt in the film, with fluid and neat animation, hailed by critics. But it is above all thanks to its scenario that theice agestruck the spirits. Subtle balance between epic adventure, emotion and humour, the adventure offered by this film hit the mark with young and old alike, making it a family film par excellence.
To spoil nothing, the Disney + catalog also hosts the other episodes of the saga, which will allow you to follow the entire adventures of Manny, Sid, Diego and Scrat. Many other Blue Sky films are also in the game, such as Rio, Horton, epic Where Snoopy and the Peanuts.
Discover today The Adventures of Buck Wildthe new episode of Ice Age
six years later The laws of the universefranchise The Ice Age welcomes a new episode. Available today on Disney+, this sixth film in the series abandons the usual trio (Many, Sid and Diego) to focus on the opossum brothers Crash and Eddie. Determined to find a place to live, far from the bosom of their adopted mother, the two brothers find themselves propelled despite themselves into the world below. A place full of dangers already seen in the third episode, and populated by warlike dinosaurs. Saved by Buck Wild, the weasel with the false air of pirates, they will not only have to save their skin, but also the world by fighting against a new and mysterious adversary.
The Simpsons Movie : 87 minutes of pure laughter
18 years is the number of years it took to be able to discover the Simpsons on the big screen, with a feature film simply named The Simpsons Movie. If several tracks have been considered over the years (a Fantasia with Simpsons sauce or a live-action film on Troy McClure for example), Groening and his team finally focused on a simple story, carried by traditional animation. It was after reading a news item recounting the misadventures of a town having been forced to empty pig excrement into their water supply that Groening laid the foundations for what would become the first film simpsons.
Once again, it is Homer and his legendary laziness that serves as the catalyst for this adventure. Responsible for an ecological disaster which is worth to Springfield to be locked up under a bell jar by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Simpsons will have to flee to Alaska to escape popular justice. A journey that will push Homer to question his vision of the world, and his relationship to others. Chaining the gags at high speed, enamelled by the presence of many guests (we will appreciate the cameo of Green Day) and benefiting from a neat traditional animation, The Simpsons Movie is a frank success which perfectly transcribes the pleasure that one can take in front of a classic episode of the series.
Fantastic Mister Fox : animation by Wes Anderson
While many Roald Dahl novels have been adapted over the years, few have been so classily adapted as Fantastic Master Fox. The reason ? The project was entrusted to Wes Anderson, a director with many successes (The Tenenbaum family, On board the Darjeeling Limited, aquatic life), and who signs here his first foray into the world of animation with Fantastic Mister Fox. Free adaptation of the story created by Roald Dahl, this Fantastic Mister Fox gives us a modern story that accurately addresses the theme of family, difference, acceptance of others, and above all, the strength of the collective.
Imprinted with Anderson’s characteristic touch (obsession with symmetry, choice of pastel colors, etc.), carried by a cast comprising Anderson’s favorite actors (Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman), this film can also count on amazing stop motion animation. And if you want to delve deeper into the aesthetics of Wes Anderson, his second animated film, Isle of Dogsis also available on Disney+.
Jack and the mechanics of the heart : dive into the dreamlike universe of Dionysus
If Mathias Malzieu is mainly known for his career as an author, composer and performer within the group Dionysos, his talents do not stop there. Author of several books, he also dabbled in animation with Jack and the mechanics of the heart, which he wrote and co-directed. Adapting both the Dionysus book and album The mechanics of the heart, this film poses as an animated musical comedy which puts in image the dreamlike universe of Malzieu.
We discover the story of Jack, a young boy born on the coldest day of the year and whose heart is therefore very logically frozen. However, he is saved by Doctor Madeleine who replaces his defective organ with a magic clock and imposes three conditions on him, necessary for his survival: not to touch needles, to control his anger and above all, never to fall in love. His encounter with Miss Acacia will turn his world upside down and start an adventure that will change him forever. Carried by a three-star cast (Jean Rochefort, Olivia Ruiz, Arthur H and Malzieu himself), crossed by the songs of Dionysos, this original and touching film is a real success that we cannot advise you too much to watch.
waking life : between technical experimentation and philosophy
waking life is certainly the UFO of this selection and of the world of animation in general. Written and directed by Richard Linklater (Slacker, rock academy), inspired by George Santayana’s quote “The waking state is a controlled dream”, this film is amazing in more ways than one. Technically to begin with, as it uses the technique of rotoscoping to deliver mind-blowing visuals. As a reminder, this technique consists of filming actors in real shots using a digital camera, before digitally retouching them to completely alter them. Linklater will use this technique again to achieve A Scanner Darkly.
But it is also by his words that waking life surprises. We follow the tribulations of a young man in a state of lucid dream who wonders about his inability to wake up, and his potential death. A problem that he will try to solve through a series of philosophical conversations addressing pell-mell reality, free will, the meaning of life, existentialism, post-humanity or the cinematographic theory of André Bazin. (just that). Filmic object which marvelously transcribes the versatility of Linklater’s cinema, waking life was hailed by critics and won the CinemAvvenir prize at the Venice Film Festival, among others.
This film, and all of the feature films in our selection and available in the Disney+ catalog. The subscription is available at the price of 8.99 euros per month, or 89.90 euros per year.
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