Anthomation Assesses The Top 5 Films NOT Deserving of a Best Animated Film Nomination

Howdy guys, Anthomaton here. Today I shall do something a bit different. Usually whenever I do a top 5 list, I regulate it for praise for a certain genre or other occasion. But not this time. Because this time, we are talking about the films that had no right being nominated for best animated feature but were because the OSCAR academy thought they were apparently stealer pieces of art. Here we go!

5. Monster House (2006)

No adults believe three youths’ (Mitchel Musso, Spencer Locke, Sam Lerner) assertion that a neighboring residence is a living creature that means them harm. With Halloween approaching, the trio must find a way to destroy the structure before innocent trick-or-treaters meet ghastly ends. This film was produced by Imagemovers, the Mo-cap studio behind other works like Polar Express (2004) and Beowulf (2007). It is lower on the list because there is a fan base for it and I don’t think it’s God-awful. But man, does it get overhyped. The mo-cap is not that impressive and the characters can easily get on your nerves. Personally, I would have nominated A Scanner Darkly or Flushed Away for that year’s award.

Score:

5/10

4. Despicable Me 2 (2013)

Now that Gru (Steve Carell) has forsaken a life of crime to raise Margo, Agnes and Edith, he’s trying to figure out how to provide for his new family. As he struggles with his responsibilities as a father, the Anti-Villain League — an organization dedicated to fighting evil — comes calling. The AVL sends Gru on a mission to capture the perpetrator of a spectacular heist, for who would be better than the world’s greatest ex-villain to capture the individual who seeks to usurp his power. This is the second film from Illumination in this massive franchise. And let me tell you, Despicable Me should have never been turned into a franchise from a creative standpoint. The first film was pretty good, a recommendable film in fact, which is not something I say often for Illumination. This one was missing the overall charm of the first film and instead felt stale and corporate. Personally, I would have nominated Epic or Monsters University for that year’s award.

Score:

4.5/10

3. Shark Tale (2004)

Underachiever Oscar (Will Smith) is a pint-sized fish with grand aspirations. When mob-connected great white shark Frankie (Michael Imperioli) is accidentally killed, Oscar concocts a story with Frankie’s peace-loving brother Lenny (Jack Black) that it was he who murdered the shark. Suddenly hailed “Sharkslayer” by his aquatic brethren, Oscar has bigger fish to fry when Frankie’s father, mob boss Don Lino (Robert De Niro), dispatches his henchmen to track down his son’s killer. This came out in the era where DreamWorks seemed to make films that were desperately trying to be Shrek. And this is the most prime example. With its unfocused narrative, slew of pop culture references, and even unappealing animation, it’s gotten a reputation as being one of the lesser DreamWorks films to ever come out. Too bad that it didn’t stop the academy for giving the best animated feature film nomination. Personally, I would have nominated The Polar Express or The Spongebob  SquarePants Movie for that year’s award.

Score:

3.5/10

2. Boss Baby & Ferdinand (2017)

One features a new baby’s arrival impacts a family, told from the point of view of a delightfully unreliable narrator — a wildly imaginative 7-year-old named Tim. The most unusual Boss Baby (Alec Baldwin) arrives at Tim’s home in a taxi, wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase. The instant sibling rivalry must soon be put aside when Tim discovers that Boss Baby is actually a spy on a secret mission, and only he can help thwart a dastardly plot that involves an epic battle between puppies and babies. The other features a young bull named Ferdinand who escapes from a training camp in rural Spain after his father never returns from a showdown with a matador. Adopted by a girl who lives on a farm, Ferdinand’s peaceful existence comes crashing down when the authorities return him to his former captors. With help from a wisecracking goat and three hedgehogs, the giant but gentle bovine must find a way to break free before he squares off against El Primero, the famous bullfighter who never loses. The only thing that’s worse than nominating one lackluster film for best animated feature is nominating TWO lackluster films for best animated feature. Both of these stinkers contain predictable stories, way too many pop culture references, and humor that is extremely lowbrow. Stop appearing on this list DreamWorks! Personally, I would have nominated The Lego Batman Movie or Cars 3 for that year’s award.

Score:

3/10 (for both films)

1.Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (2001)

It tells the simple story of a 10-year-old boy and his robot dog – battling evil, rescuing his parents, saving the Earth – and returning home in time for dinner. Jimmy’s always inventing gadgets to make his life in Retroville more interesting. A boy genius with real kid emotions, Jimmy sometimes fantasizes about life on his own. But when the parents of Jimmy’s hometown are kidnapped by invading aliens, he quickly discovers that things aren’t so great when they’re gone. With all love to the fanbase of this material, what does this movie have to offer? The animation is terrible, the story is unimaginative, the characters are annoying and even unlikable, and the humor is exceedingly unfunny. This is one of those movies that puts a frown on my face every time it is mentioned. Personally, I would have nominated Waking Life or Atlantis: The Lost Empire for that year’s award.

Score:

2.5/10