Corrie Parks

I think you can go even further back and into live action on this topic. What about the Ewoks in Return of the Jedi? Like the other characters you mentioned, they have a visual appeal, their own, weird culture and pretty much steal the show. Can anyone else think of some examples outside of blockbuster animated features?

The minions do sort of steal the show in this one. If they are your favorite, I think you won’t be disappointed!

I am eagerly awaiting the reunion of Arya with Nymeria. I’m pretty sure that is going to happen at some point and the consequences will be monumental.

You make a very strong argument. I wonder if we will eventually be able to evolve through other ethnic and gender stereotypes the permeate Hollywood. Hope so!

Yes, that’s one great thing about seeing it in the theater. When everyone around you is splitting their sides, it is so much more fun!

I certainly laughed a lot and that’s one good thing about seeing it in the theater with everyone around you splitting their sides too!

2D animation is alive and thriving in Europe. Based on what I saw at Annecy recently, there are several beautiful features in the pipeline. Most students in France, Belgium and the Netherlands are studying drawn animation. 3D has a strong hold in Germany. There are several independent artists, like Bill Plympton and signe Baumane, in the US that are working on 2D features too, taking advantage of the technology you mentioned. I think we will see some great films coming out in the next few years. Unfortunately, because of outrageous marketing costs for theatrical release in the US, most of the European films go straight to DVD. So you may need to head to your local WalMart to find them!

Yes. I was just at Annecy and student volunteers were pretty much running the show. Most of them were studying at animation schools in France and having the time of their lives.