Animation is a form of filmmaking that is often related to second-tier status, something just for kids. This is by both the organisations giving out the awards and also by the very guilds that are meant to be promoting their member’s work. However, they are not second-tier films, and in many ways, it is the animated films that are pushing the frontiers of filmmaking and what is possible, and they should be championed for the work that they do.     

Animated films can be hand drawn, stop/clay motion, computer generated, it does not matter, but all of them show amazing techniques of hundreds of artists that bring the work to life.

So without further ado, these are the animated films that showed us the glory of animation in 2018. Be warned that there may be some slight spoilers ahead for the films in question. 

Bao

Bao is a short film that aired in front of The Incredibles 2, but it did more in its short time than many films do in their two hour plus run times. There are very few words, but it speaks volumes, it is looking at a very specific issue, yet it is something you can relate to. It is a beautiful story and shows the strength of letting everyone tell their stories.                

Directed by – Domee Shi
Art Direction – Don Shank
Production Design – Rona Liu
Full Review Here

Isle of Dogs

This is the entry that showed the strength of stop-motion animation, and goodness Isles of Dogs is such a beautifully animated film, which is something given that it is set on a landfill. Each of the leading dogs is exquisitely designed and animated with their own quirks. All of this happens in a stylised animation design that pulls you into this world in a way I was not expecting.             

Directed by – Wes Anderson
Art Direction – Curt Enderle
Production Design – Paul Harrod & Adam Stockhausen
Full Review Here

Mirai (Mirai no Mirai, 未来のミライ)

When you are young, you see the world through different eyes, you see great kingdoms behind your tree, and you get to explore time and space. Mirai is such an odd, yet charming film that explores the reality of what happens to a house when baby number 2 comes home, and the world is turned upside-down. However, it is also prepared to take risks with its audience, like exploring different timelines and slipping into some more absurdist design at times. All of this is brought together with a beautiful animation style, and some stunning vistas.        

Directed by – Mamoru Hosoda
Production Design – Anri Jôjô, Yoshitaka Kameda, Reio Ono, Makoto Tanijiri & Tupera Tupera
Full Review Here

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Turning comic books into animated films is one of those decisions that just make perfect sense. However, Spider-Man took that idea and supercharged it bringing a seamless transition from the page to the big screen. Indeed, this is before we get to the point where they start added multiple different animations styles and it all works. Truly a sight to behold.  

Directed by – Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey & Rodney Rothman
Art Direction – Dean Gordon & Patrick O’Keefe
Production Design – Justin K. Thompson
Full Review Here

And the Winner is!!!!! – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

There are always quality animated films every year, and this year is no exception, but Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse took everything that is great about comic books, and everything that is great about animation and blended it together with an ease that completely ignored the fact that this was a major new direction for cinema. The animation is stunning, the music is superb, and the film brought us into the world of swinging superheroes in a way no other film has done. It is one of the best films of the year.              

By Brian MacNamara: You can follow Brian on Twitter Here, when he’s not chatting about Movies and TV, he’ll be talking about International Relations, or the Solar System.

What are your favourite cinematic moments from 2018?, let us know what you thought in the comments below, feel free to share this review on any of the social medias and you can follow us Here. Check out all our past reviews and articles Here, and have a happy day. 

Credits – All images used were created by the respective studio and artist of each film