Alternate Animation of 2008

17-11-2008 16:48

Combining the use of Flash classic animation and 3D filmmaker Ari Folman was able to transform his 2,300 illustrations into animation for his latest movie Waltz with Bashir, a feature length war film documentary that depicts the invasion of South Lebanon by the Israeli army in June 1982.

And although Dreamworks and Pixar still dominate the animation market, reigniting their rivalry this summer with the release of both Kung Fu Panda and Wall-E it's Waltz with Bashir that has really caught the eye and the attention of both the critics and the audiences.

But Waltz with Bashir just continues what has been a great year for alternate animation if, like me, you are getting a bit bored of the bog standard stuff that is being churned out by Hollywood. As always it's been another strong year for Japanese animation and leading the way is Studio Ghibli as Tales From Earthsea got it's DVD release at the beginning of the year which was the first film directed by Goro Miyazaki, son of Hayao Miyazaki.

In recent years Studio Ghibli, lead by director Hayao Miyazaki, has enjoyed more mainstream success with the likes of Spirited Away, which won an Oscar for Best Animated Film, and Howl's Moving Castle, which was nominated for Best Animated Film, breaking through to a western audience.

With Tales From Earthsea Goro Miyazaki takes over from his father Hayao, who has been responsible for producing some of the finest animation in recent years. There are plenty Ghibli hallmarks present in this film such as the environmental balance and the struggles with the darkness within the lead character.

As always it's visually stunning as the realisation of hort Town is beautifully brought to life, giving it the undeniable stamp of Studio Ghibli.

The studio's next project Ponyo on the Cliff has already caused a stir on the festival circuit as it was one of very few highlights at the recent Venice Film Festival. The film follows five year-old Sosuke lives high on a cliff overlooking the Inland Sea. One morning, while playing on the rocky beach below his house, he discovers a goldfish named Ponyo with her head stuck fast in a jam jar.