Animated Academy Nominations
12 Animated Feature Films Shortlisted for Next Year's Oscar Ceremony
Nov 9, 2007
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the 12 films shortlisted for next year's category of Best Animated Feature Film. Since there are less than 16 animated movies shortlisted this year, there will only be three films nominated on Oscar night. That means one heck of a battle for the last slot, since Ratatouille and Persepolis are virtual locks for a nomination.
Here Are the Contenders
Below are the films (listed in alphabetical order) and my thoughts on their chances come Oscar night.
- Alvin and the Chipmunks (Twentieth Century Fox): the live-action/animated hybrid starring Jason Lee as David Seville. This movie has not yet hit theatres, and it's questionable whether it meets the "75% rule" the Academy requires. Given that there are only three slots available, not a chance.
- Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters (First Look): considering this movie received possibly the worst reviews of any animated film released this year, this is as far as it's getting.
- Bee Movie (DreamWorks Animation): May get a nomination but, due to the film's slow start in theatres, mediocre reviews, and star Jerry Seinfeld's antics in interviews, it has an outside chance of winning the third position.
- Beowulf (Paramount): A controversial choice, considering most animators don't consider motion capture to be truly animation. If AMPAS signs off on it, though, its pre-release buzz and high profile make it a solid contender for the third slot.
- Meet the Robinsons (Disney): If it were any other year, and if it was from any other studio, Meet the Robinsons would have a shot. But it was a mixed effort from a studio that's famed for its animation, and there are a lot better movies out there.
- Persepolis (Sony Pictures Classics): The second-biggest contender for the title, and some people rate it higher than Ratatouille. However, it's also France's choice for the Best Foreign Film category, which could hurt its chances here.
- Ratatouille (Disney/Pixar): The heavyweight contender in this category. Rumour has it that Disney/Pixar, emboldened by its killer reviews, want to try for the Big Kahuna, the Best Picture category. If Ratatouille goes that route, it could hurt its chances for the Best Animated Feature Film win. On the other hand, voters may shut it out of Best Picture (comedies rarely win there) and give it Best Animated Feature Film as a consolation prize.
- Shrek the Third (DreamWorks Animation): The moneybags contender. Has a solid shot for the third nomination but its lousy reviews will cost it the win.
- The Simpsons Movie (Twentieth Century Fox): Will battle Shrek the Third and Beowulf for the 3rd spot. Didn't make quite as much money as Shrek the Third (then again, no one did) but it earned better reviews. Has an outside chance of taking the Oscar.
- Surf’s Up (Sony Pictures Animation): Not a chance. Earned decent reviews but didn't make much of a splash at the box office.
- Tekkonkinkreet (Sony): Not high-profile enough to woo Academy voters. Given that there are only three nomination slots, this is as far as it's gonna get.
- TMNT (Imagi/Warner Bros.): The visuals were impressive, but it doesn't have the profile to take the third nomination.
Who Will Be the Final Three?
At this point, we can safely assume that both Ratatouille and Persepolis are locked into the first two nomination slots. That means a fire fight for third position, with Shrek the Third, Beowulf and The Simpsons Movie making solid bids for the slot.
- Shrek the Third is the accountant's choice, since it earned over $700 million worldwide. However, the film didn't get a lot of critical love and that counts for a lot. There are better choices out there.
- The Simpsons Movie got solid reviews and it did well at the box office. That's makes for a decent contender. In a choice between it and Shrek the Third, The Simpsons Movie would be a shoo-in for the third slot. The fact that the Fox television show is one of the longest lasting TV series in history is a big plus, which might make it a threat to both Persepolis and Ratatouille. However, it could get nudged aside by . . .
- Beowulf hasn't even hit theatres yet, so it's too early to tell whether or not it will take the third nomination. Given that it is already getting some positive reviews, and looks to become a fave with the rock-em-sock-em demographic, Beowulf will most likely end up duking it out with The Simpsons Movie for the third nomination slot.
And the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film Goes To?
My initial choice still stands: Ratatouille. Academy voters are mostly Americans, and they will vote for their own.
Persepolis is a great film, and the Iranian government was its biggest promoter, but a foreign language flick has an uphill battle with AMPAS voters. Pixar has an impressive pedigree, and Ratatouille is the best-reviewed film of 2007 so far. Besides, its feel-good message – not everyone can be great, but greatness can come from anywhere – is a lock with the Academy.
It likely won't take Best Picture honours (if Disney/Pixar even tries) but it certainly is the critical favourite, and artistically safe choice, for AMPAS.
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