2024 Oscar Family Films
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A quick review of this year’s Oscar-nominated Family Films.
Family
Elemental (2024.14, Disappointing , Light )
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Elemental is top-notch creative world building on top of a mundane story! (3*)
Nimona (2024.13, Good , Little-Known )
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Nimona may not be the best in animation, but it tells an important message about gender identity. (3.5*)
Turning Red – Spunky but Lost (2.0*)
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Turning Red is about a 13-year old’s experience with adolescence and her family’s reaction. Though with spectacular animation and colors, who is this story really for? (2.5*)
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On – Extra Bold and Odd (4*)
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Marcel the Shell with Shoes On Will hold your interest with an unusual combination of live-action and stop-motion animation, an intriguing main character, and unique perspectives on life, nature, and relationships. (4*)
The Sea Beast – An Epic Moby Dick and Master Political Metaphor (3.5*)
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The Sea Beast has terrific computer animation, a Moby Dick story, a young girl as the leading character, and multiple political and social threads for adults. (3.5*)
Puss in Boots The Last Wish – Bright, Easy, and Frisky (4*)
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Puss in Boots The Last Wish Is a terrific animated feature that will be enjoyed by children of all ages and their elders! It is the story of a legendary cat who faces his ninth life and discovers what is really important. (4*)
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio – Master Animation, Odd Story (2.5*)
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Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is a superb example of stop-motion animation, but it falls short as a musical and doesn’t tell a story most audiences will enjoy. (2.5*)
2022 Oscar Family Genre Movies
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An Overview of the 2022 Oscar nominees in the Family genre. I liked two of them, but thought the remaining five were disappointing.
Luca
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(1.5*) Luca is fun for about twenty minutes and then descends into boredom!
Raya and the Last Dragon
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(2.0 *) Raya and the Last Dragon is visually stunning, but is going to leave adults rather empty!
The Mitchells vs the Machines
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(0.5*) The Mitchells vs the Machines is quite possibly the worst movie I’ve ever seen and certainly the worst one this year.
Encanto
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Encanto (3.5*) Good family entertainment, but Disney and Miranda might be showing fatigue!
Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom
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(3.5*) Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom is an honest, beautiful, and touching insight into a simple culture.
The One and Only Ivan
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(1.5 Stars) Might work for families with small children.
Wolfwalkers
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(4.5 Stars) Beautiful animation, Celtic music, and an Irish folk story with modern day lessons.
Over the Moon
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(3 Stars) The film doesn’t hang together real well, but there are some great songs and terrific visuals.
Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon
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(2.5 Stars) Family Entertainment and a refreshing unique style of animation.
Soul
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(4.5 Stars) Interesting and Creative approach to some very abstract questions. Excellent film.
Mulan
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(2.5 Stars) A disappointing remake when it could and should have been much better.
The 2020 Family Movies
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An overview of this year’s Oscar-nominated movies in the Family genre.
Maleficent: Princess of Evil
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(1.5 Stars) Some fun visual moments do not make up for a plodding story. Pfeiffer occasionally shines, but Jolie’s talent is wasted.
Frozen II
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(2.5 Stars) As to be expected, terrific visuals. But the story is a little weak and the songs aren’t memorable.
Lion King
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(2 Stars) A retelling of the original story with amazing computer-animation technology. Watch it if you, or your family, didn’t see the original.
Toy Story 4
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(5 Stars) Visually stunning movie and a story for anyone who has ever been part of a family. One of this year’s Must-Sees!
Klaus
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(3.5 Stars) A delightful family story with a terrific combination of animation styles.
Missing Link
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(2.5 Stars) Has some terrific stop-motion animation scenes with rich backgrounds. Story-line a little weak, but a good family movie.
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
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(2.5 Stars) A good family movie: Kids will be entertained by the humor and the dragons; Adults will be mesmerized by the beautiful imagery.
Mirai
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(2 stars) 2019 Some delightful animation, but the movie is in search of an audience.
Ralph Breaks the Internet
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(4 Stars) Surprising animation with an imaginative visualization of the internet and a wonderful interlude with the Disney Princesses.