Animation is a form of filmmaking that is often related to second-tier status, something just for kids. This is done by both the organisations giving out awards and the guilds promoting their members’ work. However, they are not second-tier films; in many ways, animated films push the frontiers of filmmaking and what is possible, and they should be championed for their work.
Animated films can be hand-drawn, stop/clay motion, or computer-generated; it does not matter, but all of them show the unique techniques of hundreds of artists that bring the work to life.
Our Highly Commended Films in 2024 are The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim & Moana 2
Our Highly Commended TV in 2024 are: Jurassic World: Chaos Theory, Knuckles & Star Trek: Lower Decks
So, without further ado, these animated films showed us the glory of animation in 2024. Be warned that there may be slight spoilers ahead.
The Nominees Are –
Inside Out 2
It was always going to be challenging to come back into this world, given just how hard Inside Out went the first time. However, Inside Out 2 made it work by homing in an almost universal experience: the anxiety that comes from your teen years.
Robot Dreams
Robot Dreams is a quiet punch to the emotional guts as it explores the lives of two characters that become intrinsically linked and then ripped apart.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Okay, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is only partially animated. However, I am going to let that slide because the emotional core of the film comes from the animated characters, and that is the best version of this series so far.
Star Trek: Prodigy
There were two substantial Star Trek additions that could have landed on this list, but Star Trek: Prodigy just comes out on top because of the heart it shows to its characters and its willingness to go to some wild places to make that happen. Which now, I am writing this down could also be said of Star Trek: Lower Decks, so we will add a sneaky little shout-out to them here.
Transformers One
Transformers One is the rare prequel that gets its narrative right. It knows that we know where everyone will end up. So, it does not waste our time trying to obfuscate the obvious answer but clearly charts how two best friends could become so divided.
The Wild Robot
I suspected from a snippet of a trailer that I caught beforehand that The Wild Robot would be a beautiful film. But I had no idea just how beautiful it would be.
X-Men ’97
X-Men ’97 knows that you are there for nostalgia, and it is not above leaning into that. However, it is also not willing to just rest on nostalgia and is prepared to leave you shocked as to what you just watched.
And the Winner is!!!!! – The Wild Robot
Directed by – Chris Sanders
Screenplay by – Chris Sanders
Based on – The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
What a true joy this film was to watch. I was not sure what I was going to expect when walking in, but I was not ready for this to take me on a journey. From a visual perspective, everything is stunning. There were moments in this film that were so stunningly beautiful that it affected me on an emotional level. The way all the characters move feels both stylised and also realistic. The heart of the film is Roz, and oh, the wonderful Lupita Nyong’o absolutely nails that role. We go on such a long journey with her from where she starts the film to where we end it, and you are with Roz every step of the way. This is even before we get to the musical score from Kris Bowers, who we have already awarded in these awards. I loved every moment of watching this family find themselves in that moment when they needed love, which might be the core lesson of the film. What are your favourite animated moments from 2024? Let us know in the comments below.
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 2023?, 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 studios and artists of each film
TL;DR Movie Reviews and Analysis 
Pingback: My Top 20 Films of 2024 | TL;DR Movie Reviews and Analysis