Animation has been a staple of the big screen for decades, but in recent years we have seen real leaps forward in this genre.
A whole host of animation studios are battling it out to be top dog, and are producing fantastic films with wonderful characters along the way.
We take a look at some of the animation films that have really stood out over the last decade.
- Toy Story 3 (2010)
It was back in 1995 when we were introduced to Woody, Buzz and the gang for the first time, but the third instalment really was the best.
Toy Story 3 is animation movie making of the highest order as it blended comedy, adventure as well as genuine emotion - not to mention the film just looked fantastic.
This movie looks at some touching and timeless themes of growing up, leaving childish things behind the loss of the innocent of youth - something that all audiences can relate to.
There is real heart and soul poured into every frame of the film, and you cannot help but get swept along by this timeless classic.
Toy Story 3 became the first animation film to gross over $1 billion at the global box office and went on to win the Best Animated Feature Oscar.
- Persepolis (2008)
In 2008, Marjane Satrapi adapted her own autobiographical novel to make Persepolis: which was to be her feature film directorial debut.
Persepolis is a poignant coming-of-age story of a precocious and outspoken young Iranian girl that begins during the Islamic Revolution.
First of all, what will strike you about this movie is the simplicity of the animation there’s not fancy computer wizardry of CGI just simple lines and drawings trying to sell a simple message; that there is a difference between the idea of freedom and the real thing.
Persepolis is a coming of age story that tackles the idea of innocence and how war took that innocence and care-free existence away.
But Persepolis also very much focuses on the feminist struggle in Iran and this is beautifully contrasted with Marjane’s experiences in Europe.
Persepolis is a complex, beautiful, intelligent story that is as powerful as it is entertaining.
- The Princess & The Frog (2010)
I have always been a huge fan of Disney films, and The Princess and the Frog is one my personal favourites.
It hit the big screen back in 2010, and saw Disney return to traditional animation and move away from the CGI driven format.
It may not be the CGI animation that we are used to but the picture is beautiful the images are bright and lush and the characters just jump off the screen.
As we have come to expect from Disney, the characters are larger than life and the soundtrack is fantastic - Randy Newman has used the jazz sound of New Orleans to great effect.
The Princess and the Frog is a movie that has real magic it to it, as it is old-fashioned and modern all at the same time.
This is just a charming and wonderful hand-drawn animation film that is Disney at its best.
- Waltz With Bashir (2008)
We have already looked at one political animation film, and now we are going to look at another in the form of Waltz With Bashir.
The movie was the feature film documentary debut of director Ari Folman. Using the movie Folman tries to remember events of the Israel's invasion of Lebanon - where he was a young soldier.
Waltz with Bashir is truly a beautiful and moving movie as Folman delves deep into his troubled past as he desperately tries to remember the events that have eluded him for two decades.
It's hard to believe that war documentary and animation would fit together but the pair go are beautiful bedfellows and this movie is one of the most extraordinary animation movies that you are likely to see.
Waltz With Bashir is a personal war movie that is as hard hitting as it is visually stunning. This really is a very beautiful piece of art.
- Up (2009)
We have been treated to quite a few Pixar gems in recent years, and Up is just one of them.
With every movie Pixar seem to push the boundaries, and Up really was no exception. Unlike any Pixar film that went before it, Up was powerful and poignant as it was rooted in the real world and dealt with real issues.
And while the film may plunge into adventure and see the arrival of some funny & fantastic characters, it never looses sight of its adult concerns; which is getting old and loneliness.
Up addresses old age and the loss of a partner is a truly touching way that is more powerful than any of the humour in the movie - the opening sequence is so touching and totally heartbreaking.
There is absolutely nothing to fault in Up it’s bright and colourful packed with excitement and humour as well as being brave enough to focus in on the idea of old age, loneliness and morality.
Up became the first animated film since Beauty and the Beast to be nominated for Best Picture. It went on to win the Best Animated Feature Oscar.
- Spirited Away (2003)
Spirited Away was released in Japan back in 2001, but because it didn't hit UK cinema screens until 2003 it is included in our list.
The movie saw Hayao Miyazaki return to the director's chair to deliver another fantastic animation film - it was the film that really did open Studio Ghibli up to the rest of the world.
I am a huge Studio Ghibli fan and Spirited Away really is one of the best movies as it is both dazzling and enchanting.
Miyazaki is a king when it comes to animation, and he has created a world that is complex and truly beautiful.
The hand-drawn animation is a breath of fresh air and the world that they have created without the use of CGI is just wonderful.
- Corpse Bride (2005)
We have seen quite a few stop-motion animation films hit the big screen in recent years... Corpse Bride is one of the stand out projects.
The movie saw Tim Burton return to the director's chair and to this genre of film.
If you haven't seen this offering from Tim Burton then you really should check it out, as it is everything that you would expect from a Burton film; dark, macabre as well as beautifully animated.
Burton contrasts fantastic the dull and dour world of the living, with the upbeat and lively underworld; the underworld sequences really are a lot of fun.
Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Emily Watson are all on board and they all deliver wonderful voice performances.
The movie went on to be nominated for Best Animated Feature, but lost out to Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
- Wall-E (2008)
Wall-E is another stand out picture from Pixar of the last ten years, not to mention it was their most ambitious project since Toy Story.
The fact that Wall-E is predominately a non speaking character could have caused some problems, but this is a movie that is packed with such heart that words are simply not needed.
It is not very often that the words 'post-apocalytic', 'uplifting' and 'delightful' go hand in hand, but this is just one of those films that will captivate you from start to finish.
What is also interesting about Wall-E is that it delivers a damning verdict on consumerism as well as highlighting issues of protecting the planet and obesity.
Wall-E is a gem of a film and remains one of Pixar's greatest achievements.
Other stand out animation films include Howl's Moving Castle, Brave, Tangled, Coraline and Frankenweenie.
Tagged in Toy Story