Oscars: Best Animated Feature

The 96th Academy Awards gave us one of the best lineups for Best Animated Feature. I have always been a big fan of animation and its beautiful gift to cinema. Here, I review three nominated films (The Boy and the Heron, Robot Dreams, and Nimona). I was able to write reviews for Elemental and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse last year. Enjoy!

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The Boy and the Heron

Filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo) is a master storyteller. I had many thoughts after seeing The Boy and the Heron last December. The Boy and the Heron is a dark, complex, and meditative look at grief. The Boy and the Heron showcases stunning animation throughout, along with Miyazaki's signature style that we've come to love. A stellar voice cast excels, not to mention actor Robert Pattinson brings out his little freak as The Gray Heron. He understood the assignment. I saw the English dubbed version, which consisted of actors Luca Padovan, Pattinson, Karen Fukuhara, Gemma Chan, Christian Bale, Mark Hamill, Florence Pugh, Willem Dafoe, and Dave Bautista.

The Boy and the Heron is another Miyazaki masterpiece. Studio Ghibli's 24th feature film continues to showcase why Studio Ghibli is the best-animated studio out there. This fantasy-adventure follows the story of Mahito (voiced by an excellent Padovan), who loses his mother to a hospital fire during the Pacific War in Tokyo. Later on, Mahito and his father Shoichi (voiced by a strong Bale) decide to leave Tokyo and move to the family's estate in the countryside. Shoichi has remarried his late wife's sister, Natsuko (voiced by a wonderful Chan), who is also pregnant. Mahito has become distant from Natsuko as he is still mourning the loss of his late mother. At the family estate, Mahito discovers a mysterious ancient tower as well as a mischievous gray heron (a stellar Pattinson). After Natsuko disappears in the tower, Mahito and the gray heron go to find her in the land of the living and dead.

The Boy and the Heron covers a lot of ground, but Miyazaki and his team unveil it poetically. Yes, it would not be a Miyazaki movie if things did not get weird (which they do!), but it's always engrossing. I was captivated by this film from the beginning until the end. The gorgeous hand-drawn animation will bring tears to your eyes. The Boy and the Heron was my third favorite film to come out in 2023, and I'm hoping it goes all the way and wins the Oscar for Best Animated Feature this March, giving Miyazaki his second Oscar. I know Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is the favorite for the Oscar, but I hope The Boy and the Heron can take the upset. Miyazaki's latest masterwork receives 5-stars from me.

The Boy and the Heron is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned) For Smoking | Bloody Images | Some Violent Content.

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Japanese Voice Cast: Soma Santoki, Masaki Suda, Aimyon, Yoshino Kimura, Takuya Kimura, Shōhei Hino, Ko Shibasaki, Kaoru Kobayashi, and Jun Kunimura.

English Voice Cast: Luca Padovan, Robert Pattinson, Karen Fukuhara, Gemma Chan, Christian Bale, Mark Hamill, Florence Pugh, Willem Dafoe, and Dave Bautista.

Robot Dreams

Robot Dreams is a moving, heartfelt, and sweet picture. This nonverbal story tells the bond between a dog and a robot. I had a lot of emotions after watching it. I continue to think about the level of depth this film showcases on friendship, love, loss, and moving on. Robot Dreams is a tragicomedy with lovely animation backed by a catchy soundtrack. I am so happy this Spanish-French film was nominated for an Oscar (Best Animated Feature). Our story follows 1980s Manhattan, where Dog lives alone. Dog is lonely and needs a companion. One day, while watching TV, Dog sees an advertisement for a robot friend and calls to order it immediately. When Robot arrives, Dog and him become instant friends. They explore Manhattan while listening to Earth, Wind & Fire's "September."

Dog and Robot are inseparable throughout the summer. At the end of the summer, Dog takes Robot to the beach. After a long day of playing in the water and beach-going, Robot realizes that he has become too rusty and cannot move. Dog does not know what to do to rescue Robot and no one is around to help. Dog returns the next day but sees that the beach is now closed for the rest of the year, leaving Robot stuck on the beach by himself. I'll allow you to find out what comes next with this emotional roller coaster of love and loss. Robot Dreams' 2D style blossoms beautifully while the storyline explores the resilient spirit of New York City. Delightful, heartbreaking, and always engaging Robot Dreams cuts deep. NEON's North American theatrical release for Robot Dreams is this May (2024). So, mark your calendars and make sure you go out and see it. You won't be disappointed, I guarantee it. In the end, writer and director Pablo Berger's joyous film receives 5-stars from me.

Robot Dreams is Not Rated (NR).

Written and Directed by Pablo Berger

Nimona

Netflix's Nimona is a blast from start to finish. Nimona boasts a richly rewarding story along with gorgeous animation. Nimona is a deeply lovable animated feature that will sweep you off your feet. A splendid voice cast consisting of actors Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, RuPaul, Indya Moore, Julio Torres, and Sarah Sherman. Our story follows a futuristic medieval world where a knight, Ballister Boldheart (a wonderful Ahmed), is framed for a crime he didn't commit. Now, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is a shapeshifting creature named Nimona (a charismatic Grace Moretz). So, Nimona becomes Ballister's sidekick, and the adventure is on! Nimona also showcases a genuine LGBTQ storyline between Ballister and his boyfriend Ambrosius Goldenloin (a great Lee Yang). Ballister and Ambrosius' relationship is a wonderful addition to the story that riches the film as a whole.

Back in 2021, Nimona was supposed to be released by Blue Sky Studios. Sadly, Disney had announced that they were going to be shutting down Blue Sky. This announcement left the film in limbo. In addition, Disney decided to pass on the film altogether. In 2022, controversy surrounded the Disney leadership as they passed on the film because of its LGBTQ themes and a same-sex kiss. Thankfully, in April of 2022, Annapurna Pictures announced that they had gone on to pick up the film and that Netflix would be releasing it in 2023. DNEG Animation also announced that they would be the project's animation partner. Look where we are now: Nimona is an Oscar-nominated film, was critically acclaimed, and was a huge hit on Netflix. I am thankful that Annapurna and Netflix helped save this marvelous movie. The animation is out-of-the-box, while the storyline is both heartwarming and funny. Nimona is full of heart and a fun-filled havoc. In the end, we get a little sense of anarchy that's a total delight. Netflix's Nimona receives 4 out of 5 stars from me.

Nimona is rated PG (Parental Guidance) For Thematic Elements | Some Language | Rude Humor | Violence and Action.

Directed by  Nick Bruno and Troy Quane

Starring Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, RuPaul Charles, Indya Moore, Julio Torres, and Sarah Sherman.