Meet Hollywood’s Biggest Animation Advocates. (They’re Not Who You Think They Are)

Over the past few years, what makes animated films stand out is not only their entertaining value but also their profound significance.

These movies continue to be enjoyable for all ages, and six-year-olds particularly adore them. Yet, beyond mere entertainment, they often impart insights into the human condition, making them relevant regardless of age.

To gain insights into the favorite animated films of influential figures in global entertainment, The Hollywood Reporter conducted interviews with several prominent names across various backgrounds and interests – such as Sian Heder from CODA, Dan Fogelman of This Is Us, Jorge Gutierrez from The Book of Life, Justin Kurzel and Matewa Media’s Tweedie Waititi, along with psychotherapist Kelli Miller (author of Love Hacks). These individuals don’t create the movies they endorse; instead, they support them as enthusiastic viewers. After reading their compelling arguments, you might find yourself sharing their enthusiasm for these films too.

‘The Wild Robot’

My 41/2-year-old son Ben has a complicated relationship with movie theaters.

Movies, huh? Well, Ben’s quite fond of them. He developed an interest in movies at a young age, particularly the film “Cars.” (I was part of the writing team for that movie and felt a sense of pride when it became his favorite… but felt disheartened when he started making me rush through the dialogue scenes.)

Finding Nemo was another hit in our house.

Movie theaters, however, can be quite challenging for him. It’s a delicate ballet we have to perform to get him through a film there. We must handle the initial darkness of the theater carefully. The trailers that bore and confuse him are tricky to manage. Loud movies are not well-received, neither are those that become too frightening.

A couple of months back, I found myself watching The Wild Robot with someone, a movie I was entirely unfamiliar with. Admittedly, my expectations weren’t particularly sky-high.

I hadn’t anticipated that I was moments away from enjoying the best movie of the year, and having an unforgettable cinematic experience, in a theater.

The central idea of the movie revolves around a straightforward scenario: A robot named Roz, designed for assisting humans with their chores, finds herself stranded on an isolated island after a shipwreck. In this untamed environment filled with wildlife and nature, Roz seeks to understand her surroundings by identifying a purpose or task. She discovers an egg, which later hatches into a gosling, prompting Roz to make a choice: Her mission or ‘task’ will be nurturing this newborn gosling, whom she names Brightbill.

As Roz and Brightbill’s bond deepens into a heartwarming mother-son relationship, an undeniable truth emerges. In order to ensure Brightbill grows up healthily, Roz must eventually guide him to learn the skill of flying, which may require him to leave her side someday.

If she does her job as his mother, her child will eventually leave.

This movie is truly captivating: it’s elegantly made, easy to get lost in due to its exceptional craftsmanship. In fact, my concerns about my son faded away. There were no jump-scares or overly loud moments, and he was completely engrossed, immersed in the film while munching on his Red Vines candy box.

For an hour, I honestly forgot he was there.

After reaching an emotional peak, the movie came to a poignant moment. It was now time for the grown-up goose Brightbill to take flight. The music grew more intense. Roz started running with goose Brightbill on her back, following their established routine of letting him run ahead before taking off. A strange sensation arose within me, an emotion I hadn’t experienced in a while during movie-watching. Then, something unexpected happened…

Ben started to scream. He started to scream as loud as I’ve ever heard him in a public place:

“I WANT MOMMY! I MISS MOMMY!”

Again and again, he let out loud cries and wept. I attempted to comfort him, but it seemed futile. I thought perhaps the noise had become too overwhelming for him.

He couldn’t possibly be that emotionally engaged with a film at just 4 years old.

I had to carry him out of the theater.

It required about five minutes in the lobby for me to help him regain his composure. Eventually, his cries subsided, then ceased altogether. Kneeling beside him, our eyes met, and I inquired, “Ben, what seems to be the problem? Was it too noisy?

Instead of asking if the goose will return home, my son inquired in a soft voice, “Might the goose one day find its way back to Mommy Robot?

Overwhelmed, I found myself sitting there, speechless. It wasn’t long before tears welled up and streamed down my face. There we remained, embracing one another, in the lobby of the Universal CityWalk theater. We were simply two men, deeply moved by a scene in an animated film, expressing our feelings through a heartfelt hug and shared tears.

That particular day, we chose not to return to the theater. I reassured Ben that ultimately, mother and son would be reunited in the story. A few weeks afterward, I concluded watching the beautiful movie all by myself at home.

Nowadays, as a nation, we don’t frequent movie theaters as often as before. The rise of streaming platforms and the constant distraction of smartphones like iPhones have made individual films (and TV shows) seem less valuable. This shift has left many in our industry feeling detached and confused. A common sentiment I hear these days is, “What’s the purpose? Nothing seems to matter.

To everyone involved in creating “The Wild Robot” movie: This production resonated deeply with me. An ordinary Sunday cinema outing with my child unexpectedly became one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had as a parent, offering not only my top pick for this year’s film but also a cherished moment in our lives together.

How wild, indeed.

‘Flow’

I recently watched the movie “Flow” by Gints Zilbalodis with my 9 and 10-year-old kids. With today’s animated films being filled with chatty dialogue, loud sound effects, and numerous action sequences, I wondered how they would respond to this silent journey of a band of animals exploring a stunning, lush post-human world. They were completely engrossed. So was I.

From the outset, the movie’s flood sequence drew me in, immersing me in a tale that was both tense with danger and captivatingly tranquil. In the film Flow, there are no human characters or spoken dialogue; instead, it features a black cat, a yellow labrador, a capybara, a lemur, and a secretary bird, each exhibiting their natural traits and behaviors yet coming across as profound, humorous, and emotionally complex personalities.

In the role of a movie director, I found myself captivated by the total lack of spoken dialogue in ‘Flow’, as it instead relies on profoundly expressive physical movements to portray its relationships. This film encourages viewers to observe and interpret the story not just through traditional means, but by focusing on subtle nuances of body language as potential storytelling elements. It challenges us to engage actively with the narrative, demonstrating that nonverbal storytelling can be strikingly cinematic.

Ever since I watched it, vivid images from that show have been lingering in my mind for weeks. The scene of a world submerged under water, teeming with lush greenery, is unforgettable. Drifting among these waters are countless abandoned ships, giving the landscape an eerie beauty. A sleek black cat navigating through a shoal of iridescent fish, teaching itself to swim, left me in awe. Then there’s the city built on waterways – a labyrinth of passageways that makes you ponder about the civilization that once thrived here and why only animals seem to have survived the humans.

Flow possesses a captivating allure. It seemed almost surreal or reminiscent of an immersive video game, captivating my awareness in a remarkable manner. Amidst a time when tribalism is prevalent globally, Flow delivers a profound message about unity and interconnectedness that is particularly significant. It appears to be a contemplation on the delicate balance of our ecosystem, suggesting both the potential for our extinction and the resilience of nature if we were to vanish. The striking post-apocalyptic scenery also instilled a sense of optimism within me. If humanity were to cease to exist, the planet and nature would undoubtedly endure without us. There is a certain solace in this concept. Our significance may not be as grand as we perceive it to be.

‘Transformers One ‘

With absolute conviction, I’m certain that the film Transformers One is set to evolve into a cherished movie, much like a superior vintage wine. Take it from me, this motion picture will be recognized as an iconic animated masterpiece. It’s hard to imagine that such a bold, courageous, soulful, and heartfelt narrative, under the title “Transformers”, would not have been anticipated by many.

During one of my movie viewings, I couldn’t help but glance around the cinema – observing the crowd engrossed in the screen before them. A sense of gratitude (and a touch of self-satisfaction) washed over me, knowing we were all momentarily escaping the clamor of reality to enjoy a film together. Then, my thoughts wandered beyond the theater, contemplating the cacophony of real-world news that bombards us daily – in every headline, social media post, and email blast, waiting just outside those doors. I found myself pondering how we arrived at this chaotic, disheartening, anger-inducing state and how we’re supposed to navigate through it and carry on with our lives somehow. Apologies are due to the filmmakers for my brief distraction from their work, I suppose.

Upon refocusing my thoughts and gaze towards the screen, back to the movie that holds a special place in my heart, a revelation occurred… For Josh Cooley and his team have crafted something extraordinary – almost divine! The epic narrative of two robot companions’ journey to self-discovery resonates profoundly, exuding significance, awe, and an eternal quality. These defiant characters, molded by their past, react authentically to events that shape them into the individuals they were destined to become.

Through on-screen storytelling, we observe these legendary figures evolving, thereby reshaping how we perceive them for all time. One character discovers his purpose while another uncovers his anger, and we root for each one!

The skillful storytelling in this film left me pondering: Couldn’t we all emulate such compassion when we leave this cinema? Couldn’t we admire those pursuing their passions, and sympathize with those feeling anger? And shouldn’t we celebrate their beliefs, or at least learn to accept them? As people, we are all molded by our pasts and shaped by the events that define us – experiences that metamorphose us into who we ultimately become. The unique qualities that make us human are what truly unite us and should be comprehensible to everyone. It’s almost ironic that the humanity and emotions portrayed by these robots in this movie caused me to draw these parallels so swiftly, demonstrating the immense impact powerful films can have on shaping perspectives – even those set against a backdrop of colossal heroic metal beings on Cybertron.

Instead of merely creating a mindless animated action movie riding on the Transformers brand, what Transformers One manages to do is infinitely more challenging, original, and ambitious. Rather than just making a good film, it aims to transform itself into an exceptional one and its audience into better people, and remarkably, it excels in both aspects.

‘Moana 2’

I firmly believe that the release of Moana 2 is significant. After all, I was involved in translating its lines into Maori dialect, te reo Maori.

Instead of merely producing a translated version of a foreign film, we were providing an opportunity to showcase our language and narratives on a global platform – a voice that had endured years of suppression, and a culture that had been historically sidelined. The upcoming release of Moana 2 holds great importance not only for the Maori community but also for other Pacific cultures around the world.

In the making of “Moana 2”, the filmmakers involved members of our local community, not just for an accurate translation or dubbed version, but chiefly to incorporate our unique cultural viewpoints into this huge global project. This collaboration has sparked greater understanding within our extensive communities and boosted global respect for Maori and Pacific cultures. The impact of “Moana” and “Moana 2” is that our traditions, language, and stories have gained renewed appreciation — a recognition that goes beyond borders. Most significantly, “Moana 2” underscores the idea that the greatness of our ancestors resides within us, and seeing ourselves depicted in such a grand way is incredibly empowering. The film encourages us to view our past with pride and our future with optimism.

For us, “Moana 2” transcends being simply a film; it resonates with a cultural shift, one that encourages empathy, unity, and appreciation among diverse groups. It breathes life into the tales and aspirations of our forebears in a manner that stirred our emotions. In doing so, it rekindled within us the flame of pride.

‘Inside Out 2’

In the past, the concept of “anxiety” wasn’t widely understood. People might have recognized it as fear in specific situations like public speaking or encountering snakes or heights. However, it was also casually used to refer to someone who was on the brink of a mental breakdown, often with a negative connotation. Many people experienced anxiety during this time, but it was frequently misunderstood, stigmatized as a personal weakness, and kept hidden. There were even gender stereotypes attached to it; a woman struggling with anxiety might be labeled “hysterical,” while men were taught to conceal their anxiety because emotional vulnerability wasn’t seen as a positive trait for males. If someone appeared to have their life together, it was hard to imagine them dealing with anxiety.

The fact remains: Everyone encounters feelings of anxiety. It’s a common emotion, much like any other. That’s why it was insightful that the makers of Inside Out 2 chose to shed light on this familiar emotion, which seems to be more prevalent in our society than ever before. Factors such as pandemics, political conflicts, wars, and constant exposure to news have increased feelings of unease and apprehension among us all. Inside Out 2 expanded its original cast because its creators recognized a need. They introduced Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui, in addition to the initial characters Sadness, Anger, Fear, Disgust, and Joy. Inside Out 2 continues to follow Riley’s journey, who is now a teenager and grappling with even more complex emotions as she navigates adolescence and friendships.

As a psychotherapist, writer, and mother of a teenager and pre-teen, I deeply appreciate “Inside Out 2” because I think it offers an exceptional opportunity to convey to children and adolescents that all emotions are valuable and essential for personal growth. The enduring popularity of this film series, demonstrated by its success on two occasions, is due to its strong relatability and authenticity. Regardless of gender, race, age, or socio-economic background – if you’re human, you experience a range of emotions, from pleasant to uncomfortable. The film masterfully portrays characters that resonate with both adults and children. Not everyone may connect with every person we encounter, but we all share the same fundamental emotions. In essence, emotions are universal. This is what gives this film its rich depth.

In the movie “Inside Out”, I appreciated how Sadness wasn’t portrayed as good or bad, but rather as an emotion that came and went, sometimes intensely, other times fleeting. It was often balanced with other emotions like Joy and Anger. In “Inside Out 2”, it seems they continued this unbiased approach to emotions, particularly with Anxiety. Just like Sadness, Anxiety wasn’t vilified or glorified, but simply a part of the main character’s emotional landscape. A line that stood out to me was when Joy tells Anxiety, “You don’t get to decide who I am.” This statement, in my view, encapsulates the movie’s message: Emotions are an inherent aspect of our identity, shaped by our unique experiences, personality, genetics, and biology. Instead of fighting against them, we should accept all parts of ourselves because they may serve a purpose. Anxiety responded humbly to Joy, “I’m sorry. I was just trying to protect her.” This dialogue underscores the idea that emotions don’t define us, but rather reflect our efforts to navigate life.

The sequel Inside Out, titled as such, tenderly captures the intricate and powerful feelings that we all experience. It further sheds light on the reasons behind these feelings, providing understanding. I frequently remind my clients grappling with such emotions that anxiety can serve a beneficial purpose too. For instance, it can drive us to excel academically, boost our productivity at work, or ensure punctuality for a flight. In the movie, Anxiety initially illustrates this by questioning whether she should jot down notes for Joy, grab a coffee, or organize her schedule. By viewing our strong emotions as having a purpose, we can navigate them more effectively.

The second installment of Inside Out stands out because it serves as this year’s unifying film for everyone – though we may not realize it. It subtly reinforced the shared aspects of humanity, highlighting its intricacies and teaching us to accept and understand our own emotions while showing compassion towards others’. It underscored that feelings, whether comforting or unsettling, have a fleeting nature, neither of them being permanent.

‘Memoir of a Snail’

As I, the gaming soul, delve into the pages of ‘Memoir of a Snail’, a letter penned by the departed Pinky strikes a chord within me. It serves as a poignant reminder that cherishing life’s little joys is paramount – like slipping on a sweater fresh from the dryer, a simple pleasure that resonates deeply.

Such a heartfelt yet profoundly emotional insight, tinged with nostalgia yet untouched by sentimentality, can only be conveyed in a way that resonates deeply within us, and this is precisely what a master craftsman like Adam Elliot excels at.

He’s a cinematic artist who highlights the subtle aspects of life, those often overlooked daily occurrences, and grants them a platform, a sense of worth.

Grace stands out from the crowd, which seems to be quite common in Australia. Some are quirky and stunning, while others can be heartbreaking. Adam’s characters share this trait, being unique and possessing the ability to move in opposite directions. Despite her struggles, Grace never gives off a sense of being swallowed by the darkness; instead, she continuously strives towards the light, seeking small pockets of hope that exist within her daily life.

Grace battles with self-loathing as her most significant adversary, and her self-doubt serves as the cage that confines her. However, Adam never uses Grace’s circumstances to indulge in self-pity or turn them into a redemption narrative. Instead, she finds triumph in understanding that her battles are an integral part of her beauty, and that even the shadows have cracks of light. The dark moments in her life contain glimmers of good, and the smallest of victories can encompass the greatest triumphs.

As a gamer, I’ve been captivated by the vivid personalities in Memoir. These characters were alive during my childhood and continue to be present in my life today. They serve as our totems and relics, symbols of our lived experiences. Adam has this extraordinary ability to breathe life into what was once discarded or invisible, giving oxygen to narratives we thought were devoid of story.

These models bear distinct marks, and it’s evident that they have been crafted by Adam himself. They aren’t just copied; instead, every mold, brushstroke, and design choice seems personal, as if each imperfection is intentionally showcased rather than concealed.

By weaving tales like Adam does, he guides us on a journey through our past, helping us delve into our subconscious to rediscover our inner child. His blend of wit and authenticity disarms our skepticism.

The Memoir is genuinely humorous; his characters are outlandish yet always credible, they express and act out the things we often only wish to, but can’t. They are liberatingly rule-free, bold outlaws of life. At their best, Australian artists emulate this free-spirited approach akin to Adam.

Adam embodies a unique blend of wit, peril, elegance, a mix of aggression and affection, the rebellious and the thoughtful. He’s one of our exceptional poets, whose reflections on society, the satirical mirror he presents, offers an uncanny, almost embarrassingly accurate portrayal.

For years, I’ve been captivated by renowned social realist directors from Britain, such as Ken Loach, Mike Leigh, Tony Richardson, and Andrea Arnold, along with the Dardenne brothers from Belgium, who are revered masters in this field. These tenacious filmmakers delve deeply into their local communities to create authentic, intricate narratives based on real-life events.

In Australia, our notable social realist filmmaker is named Adam. Unlike other filmmakers who draw from real-life locations and individuals to narrate their tales, Adam unearths authenticity and truth using simple materials such as clay and wood instead.

It is a rare gift. But then, Adam is a rare filmmaker.

In case you missed it, this article was published in the latest edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine on January 9th. If you’d like to stay updated, consider subscribing.

2025-01-10 20:56