With the 2014 Academy Awards presentations around the corner and three very good films nominated in the Animated Feature Film category; I thought I’d recommend three award-winning animated films that should be in your video library. (And yes, I know that five films were nominated in 2014, but I stand by my sentence of three good films.)
My three recommended films were all done this century and by two different animation studios. All of the below films have great adult storytelling and superb voice acting. That said, there are some very good films which I have left off this list intentionally including Academy Award winning films from Pixar like “Up” and “Wall-E.” It’s not that the below films are better than those, it’s that these films are consistently watchable by all age groups while maintaining an adult focus.
1. The Incredibles – This 2004 Pixar film by Brad Bird (The Iron Giant) won two Academy Awards including one for Best Animated Feature; the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Pr
esentation and nine Annie Awards including Best Animated Feature. But that’s not why you should own this masterpiece of animation. Brad Bird’s story of a family of “supers” is fast paced and touches on midlife crisis, teen insecurity and marital problems in a way that most live-action films don’t even try.
It is comic book violent and comic book watchable. You start out believing you’re watching the tale of Bob Paar, Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson), and his problems with aging, his unfulfilled civilian work life and taking his marriage for granted, but you’ll quickly realize this film is not about that at all. It’s the story of Elastigirl, Helen Paar (Holly Hunter) and her efforts to keep her family together despite the challenges of suburban life. It’s a film that celebrates family, even if that family is in a violent business. Holly Hunter’s incredible (yes, I used that word on purpose) performance makes this film work and a joy to watch. The musical score will remind you of James Bond films. The bottom line is if you could only own one animated film in your life, this is the one. Remember – “no capes.”
2. Shrek – This is the film that put Dreamworks Animation on the map as a solid competitor to Pixar. Shrek won the first ever Academy Award for Best Animated Film and won eight Annies including Best Animated Feature. It is the only non-Disney/ Pixar film on the American Film Institute’s All Time Top Ten Animated Films.
This story of a loner who finds friendship and love has many adult-oriented jokes and themes, 
but can still appeal to the youngest child. The fat green ogre with no friends and bad manners, the princess who can take care of herself and yet is waiting for rescue and the talking donkey turn out to need each other. This trio reward us with a wonderful parody of Disney and Grimm classic fairy tales. It is Mike Meyer’s brilliant voice acting that brings the ogre, Shrek, to life, but it is Eddie Murphy’s British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Nomination for a Voice-over Performance work that keeps the film moving forward. No film or pop culture reference is spared, with quips and puns machine-gunning throughout the film. Multiple viewings are enjoyable and always reveal something new. When this movie is over you’ll be singing because you’ll be a believer (and yes, that pun is intended).
3. How To Train Your Dragon – This Dreamworks Animation film was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score. It won nine Annies including Best Animated Feature.
This story of a young Viking who aspires to be like his father, a warrior king, is heart warming and laugh out loud fun. It is the classic father and son misunderstanding each other plot. It’s also the story of a boy earning his father’s trust and the trust of an animal capable of destroying his clan’s way of life.
One of the most complicated of all interpersonal relationships is the one of father and son. Each 
seeks the approval of the other and is easily disappointed when approval isn’t given or expectations aren’t met. This movie captures that dynamics very well and that’s why this film is on this list.
The musical soundtrack is epic, the storytelling is spellbinding, the visuals are stellar and the voice acting is perfect particularly that of Jay Baruchel as Hiccup. The memorable characters of this film will stay with you because there are many, many emotional moments. But unlike the movie “Up,” the emotional moments won’t overwhelm you. This is a feel good movie about relationships and compassion that will make you want to fly after it’s over.
