Over the Moon is one film that is competing for the Best Animated Feature Film Oscar this year, although it doesn’t stand a chance against Pixar films Soul and Onward, as well as the acclaimed Wolfwalkers. And, that’s not just because it’s a Netflix animation production, but mainly due to the fact that it’s not a good film.
Children/Family
Review: Wolfwalkers (2020)
I knew very little about the Ireland-set animated film Wolfwalkers prior to viewing it; I’d heard great reviews, with some people even saying that this film is better than Pixar’s latest, Soul, and could potentially beat it for the Best Animated Feature Film Oscar this year. And, while I found Wolfwalkers to be highly entertaining, heartwarming, and inventive, I’m not sure it has enough originality to surpass Soul.
Review: Paddington 2 (2017)
Fact: Paddington 2 is currently the highest-rated film on Rotten Tomatoes; it has not only achieved the rare perfect 100% score, but has achieved the highest number of positive reviews ever. Is it the best film ever made? No, but it’s impossible to dislike.
Review: Soul (2020)
Soul has had to deal with multiple delays; first, it was meant to be released last summer, about six months after Pixar’s previous film, Onward. Then, it was pushed until late fall, and finally, it was decided to release it solely (sorry for the pun!) on Disney+.
Review: Paddington (2014)
I didn’t watch the Paddington films until recently, and in quick succession, as I was so taken with the first one that I had to see the second one (and am now eagerly anticipating a third film). Strangely, I reviewed Paddington 2 first, although it doesn’t really matter; it helps to have seen the first film before watching the 2nd, as the first introduces you to the character of Paddington and the Brown family, with whom he ends up living.
Review: Onward (2020)
You can never fault Pixar for lack of imagination, and their latest, the fantastical-set Onward, is no different. The film centers on two elf brothers, voiced by MCU stars Chris Pratt and Tom Holland, living in a world that is very similar to our own, except that it is inhabited by magical creatures (like the Monsters films, in that sense).
Review: The Call of the Wild (2020) *SPOILERS*
Let me start off this review by saying that I have not read Jack Lownden’s book, Call of the Wild, on which this movie is based — so this means that I may not have the same issues with the adaptation as fans of the book might. In fact, I had very few issues with this new adaptation, which features a fully-CGI dog (and other animals).