Animated Feature Film Archives

First Look: video game based movie Ratchet and Clank

February 5, 2016 by CuteMonster Staff

If you’ve ever owned a Sony PlayStation, then Ratchet and Clank was part of your experience. For over 15 years, Ratchet and Clank has been known as a somewhat under the radar science fiction, action-oriented video game platformer. Unexpectedly, an animated feature film adaptation based on the video game series is slated for release April 29, 2016. Produced by Rainmaker Entertainment and Blockade Entertainment and distributed by Focus Features and Gramercy Pictures, Ratchet and Clank was initially scheduled to debut in 2015. Two quirky TV spots have just been unleashed to the masses. Not sure what to think yet, but they’ve certainly stoked our curiosity.

Disney’s Frozen Sings

March 26, 2014November 30, 2013 by Vincent Daly

Just in time for the 2013 Winter Holiday season, Walt Disney Animation Studio ushers in an enthralling musical fantasy comedy movie titled “Frozen”. Although not necessarily an instant classic, “Frozen” boldly takes the audience on an epic journey full of magic, whimsy, and snappy dialogue along with Broadway caliber show stopping tunes. Building on the success of “Tangled”, Walt Disney Animation Studio continues its resurgence as a distinctly creative force to be reckoned with in family entertainment.

Escape from Planet Earth

February 24, 2013 by Vincent Daly

The animated feature film “Escape from Planet Earth” produced by Rainmaker Entertainment and distributed in the United States by The Weinstein Company, can best be described as a slick formulaic comedy adventure movie aimed at pleasing the masses. Yet what lifts “Escape from Planet Earth” from the shallow depths of junk food like mediocrity is the tremendous heart of the actors’ performances.

Jack Frost Will Warm Your Heart

December 8, 2012 by Vincent Daly

Jack Frost has always been a minor player as far as beloved children’s mythical characters go. Arguably, if it were not for Nat King Cole’s version of “The Christmas Song” which contains the line “Jack Frost nipping at your nose”, Jack may well have drifted into complete obscurity. Enter DreamWorks animated feature film “Rise of the Guardians”, a movie which aims to propel Jack Frost from minor historical footnote to bona fide hero.

Ice Age: Continental Drift

July 17, 2012 by Vincent Daly

When you’re a parent of young children, going to the movies doesn’t necessarily include seeking out quality stories. On the contrary, the experience often entails going to see whatever age appropriate movie is playing on a given day. Such was the case when choosing to see the animated feature “Ice Age: Continental Drift”, the 4th installment of the ongoing adventures of Manny the Mammoth, Diego the Sabretooth Tiger, and Sid the Sloth. Surprisingly, a comically fiendish band of pirates breathes new life into the series offering up a pleasant diversion much like an ice cream sundae.

Brave

July 4, 2012July 2, 2012 by Vincent Daly

Having viewed several movie trailers for Disney Pixar’s “Brave” in the past few months, I had eagerly anticipated seeing the story with my children. Adding to expectations, Merida, the heroine of the movie, was heavily promoted as a defining departure from traditional Disney princess incarnations of the past. Preview press releases highlighted her fiery red unbridled hair, master of archery skills and her fiercely independent spirit The table was set to be swept away by a rollicking adventure story. Yet what unfolded in the movie theater revealed Disney Pixar’s “Brave” to have a different fate.

Tangled

December 3, 2010December 3, 2010 by Vincent Daly

Based solely on viewing the initial preview movie trailer of Walt Disney Pictures animated feature film “Tangled”, I had expected little more than a syrupy sweet love story chock filled with cringe worthy characters only mothers and daughters would find endearing. Yet as I sat in the movie theater with my 4 year old son we found ourselves captivated by a visually breathtaking swashbuckling adventure movie teeming with action, comedy, thrills, and heart. The Disney Magic is back.

Megamind

November 21, 2010 by Vincent Daly

I’ve been fascinated with the concept of Super Heroes since I was a child. Comic books served as a conduit to tales of universes filled with extraordinary beings and adventures. Fast forward several years to an era that includes spectacularly animated feature films as well as realistic looking CGI in live action movies and one could argue we are living in the golden age of Super Hero storytelling. Therefore the expectations built up for the widely anticipated DreamWorks comedic animated feature film “MegaMind” were perhaps insurmountably high. At the theatre in which my son and I watched the movie, the audience level of excitement quickly transformed from palpable engagement to one of indifference.

Alpha and Omega

November 22, 2010September 20, 2010 by Vincent Daly

At first I thought I had possibly hit the wall. That my tolerance for watching animated films had reached the tipping point. But then I glanced over at my 4 year old son. At a mere 35 minutes into the film, his attention had shifted from the action unfolding on the screen to folding and unfolding his chair. Not even the draw of 3D could compel him to remain seated. In essence, we collectively lost interest in a howlingly bad animated film called “Alpha and Omega” released by Lions Gate Family Entertainment and Crest Animation Productions.