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What was the best animated picture of 2009? Look Up!
And the winner for best animated picture is ... Up, which nabbed the top prize at 37th annual Annie Awards on Saturday. Star Trek's William Shatner emceed the awards, which honored the best in film and television animation.
The Disney-Pixar film also scored Peter Docter the top directing nod for the wonderful 3-D story about an elderly man named Carl who turns his house into an airship, with the help of hundreds of balloons, so that he can keep a promise to his deceased wife. However, his adventure gets more challenging when he accidentally brings along a little boy named Russell.
Along with Up, other best-animated-picture nominees included Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, Coraline, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Princess and the Frog and The Secret of Kells.
The Annie win hints at what might happen come Oscar night, especially since Up scored five Academy Award nominations, including both best picture and best animated picture. Beyond that, Up also won the Golden Globe for best animated pic.
Other big Annie winners this year included Disney's hand-drawn The Princess and the Frog for animated effects, character animation and voice acting, and Laika's Coraline for character design, music and production design. Wes Anderson's stop-motion Fantastic Mr. Fox nabbed the award for best writing.
As for television, Disney's Prep and Landing, the Christmas special about an elf who is passed over for a promotion, won the top award for best TV production, as well as wins for production design and character design.
The Annie Awards are presented annually by ASIFA-Hollywood, the Los Angeles chapter of the International Animated Film Society.
By Pete at 12:03 PM ON 02/08/10
Anyone else getting sick of the Pixar hype? Up wasn't anywhere near their best film... I saw Cloudy With a Chance and saw a truely funny and creative work. Up depressed the hell out of my family and we will never watch it again!
By Dave at 12:13 PM ON 02/08/10
The problem Up faces in the Academy Awards is that its votes may be split between the animated feature and best picture categories, costing it either award.
By IronOre at 12:19 PM ON 02/08/10
They should just rename the best animated feature award "The Pixar Award."
Pixar is easily the best animation company around. Mostly because they actually put some thought into their movies, instead of just doing fart jokes.
By burymylovely at 12:42 PM ON 02/08/10
I'm also tired how much Cloudy is getting over looked. I liked UP a lot. But its not as original or as engaging. Old cranky guy opens up to insistent kid. That's the basis for a hundred shows and films before it.
And as someone who works in animation, Pixar is not necessarily the best. Dreamwork's Kung-fu Panda won all the Annies last year (most of them rightfully so). Disney is staging a feature comeback. And then you have wonderful films like Secret of Kells and Persepolis coming from smaller studios. And Coraline was just beautiful.
Also not sure how much thought Pixar put into UP really. Pete Docter says in the extras " I don't care how the bad guy goes away, I just need him gone". Pixar is good, but far from perfect.
By Meezer at 12:46 PM ON 02/08/10
My only problem with Up is that it was marketed as a comedy. Watching it was painful and mind numbing because I expected something complet.....Squirrel!
By Meezer at 12:48 PM ON 02/08/10
completely different. It was original and entertaining in a wierd sort of way though.
By Tear 'Em Up at 12:53 PM ON 02/08/10
I loved UP. Took my daughters and a friend to see it and we all walked away feeling good. UP affirms that life does indeed go on. If you hide from it you will wither, if you embrace it, you will be rewarded. By the way...I hate squirrels.....
By DOlz at 1:36 PM ON 02/08/10
"UP" was a love story that was wonderfully done. "Coraline" really brought Neil Gaiman's story to life.
I didn't see "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs", but all could think of during the previews was the rat and cockroach problem they were going to have.
By SHADO 1980 at 6:52 PM ON 02/08/10
With all its references to sci-fi films past, Monsters vs. Aliens was my personal favorite. But I can definitely see why Up won.
By RovingIrish at 8:00 PM ON 02/08/10
I liked Up, but I would love to see that other oscar-nominated animated film out of Ireland called The Secret of Kells. That looks amazing!
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RovingIrish:
I liked Up, but I would love to see that other oscar-nominated animated film out of Ireland called The Secret of Ke...More »