Whether it be Shrek (2001) or Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022), animated movies have proved for decades that the possibilities for the cinematic form are near limitless. Inspired animators and creators have dashed out stunning films across the world, and the modern age might be one of the golden ages of animation.
The animated films of today are starting to take on a different look, one in which each film is as much defined by its aesthetic, visual invention as it is its narrative success. The “look” of the movies is inextricably linked to the movie’s meaning.
Arguably the greatest example of this new style — and likely the biggest catalyst for the so-called “new era” of animation — is Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018). A stunning and largely perfect film, Into the Spider-Verse, introduced a visual flair that was integral to its tone and thematic weight. The Spider-Verse movies are deeply involved in the idea of heroes and what makes them up. Thus, the literal look of the movies plays upon that idea by using a comic book visual style.
Of course, Spider-Verse is only one franchise highlighting one avenue to take the animation medium. Now, the avenues are beginning to grow and grow into new, thoroughly unique aesthetics.
The recently released Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023) uses an entirely distinctive visual style to add depth to its theme and narrative, and it exemplifies an evolution of animation inspired by Spider-Verse and its wake. While not a perfect movie, Mutant Mayhem proves animation is venturing into new frontiers. And that should be exciting for any movie fan.
There has always been great and interesting animation since the medium’s inception, with studios like Pixar and Disney paving the way for the form. Now, adapting technology has allowed Hollywood to do a lot more than the 2-D animation of the past. Of course, that doesn’t mean that new animation is “better;” it’s just different. But it’s a welcome difference, one in which a film’s “aesthetic” has no bounds except creativity and finances.
The best animated movies of the modern era are playing with target audiences. It’s frequently been said that animated movies are just “kids movies” and thus adult audiences and critics won’t enjoy them as much. Throughout animation’s history, the truly great films have been able to bridge the gap between adults and children. The visual ingenuity of movies like Mutant Mayhem or Spider-Verse engages that relationship; through stunningly unique visuals, both adults and children can “ooh” and “ahh” at the screen.
What’s so curious — and encouraging — about today’s era is how animators are bringing life and inspiration to big tent poles. Animation requires time and money, and it’s refreshing to see that creators so often are using these budgets to invent new visions.
Many of today’s big-budget blockbusters, from superhero flicks to other massive IPs, can feel like they squander their budget. Massive VFX costs and dubious studio finance strategies prove that many times, a big budget absolutely does not equal good quality.
Whereas some live-action films may misuse new technologies, animation has utilized these new techniques to create entirely new worlds of playfulness and vibrancy.
The silver lining present in today’s animation, though, is that many tent poles are still riding off of the superhero wave. Whether it directly lands in the superhero genre like Spider-Verse or uses the superhero genre’s well-established narrative strategies in something like Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022), the influences of the MCU and the DCU are still prevalent.
Nevertheless, it’s encouraging to see other studios not named Disney and Pixar proving themselves as animation powerhouses. Netflix Animation produced Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022), which won the best-animated feature Oscar in 2023. Sony Pictures Animation hang their hats as the wizards behind Spider-Verse. While Disney and Pixar are undoubtedly still at the top of the animation industry, other studios are rising up. It’s hard to forget, too, Pixar’s recent history. The studio’s last two films, Elemental (2023) and Lightyear (2022) left a lot to be desired.
The point is that visual ingenuity is the name of the game. It’s easy to write in a review that something “looked amazing,” but there is so much work packed behind that statement. Immense credit is due for saying something “looks great;” animators work day in and day out (sometimes raising concerns over labor rights) to perfect each frame.
While the animation industry likely isn’t in a full-blown revolution, the limits of the medium have rarely been so porous. Thanks largely to the influence of Spider-Verse, the bar has been raised. The game is changing, and it’s fascinating to see what comes next.
Article Courtesy of Carson Burton
Feature Image credit to Paramount Pictures via Variety
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