When I was a kid, I loved cartoons. I guess all kids did. Then I grew up and I still loved cartoons. Only, I called it "animation." I went to animation festivals and got really excited whenever I could see computer animation. When Pixar emerged, I instantly became a fan. When Pixar put out the first ever all-CG film, Toy Story, I went opening night. I collect Pixar's films and love each one. I also went to all the other CG films that were coming out...like ANTZ. Antz sucked. I can't even remember what else came out in the first bunch of years after Toy Story because it all sucked. Then I had kids and got to watch Saturday Morning cartoons again. With VERY few exceptions, they all suck. Most current animation is terrible. Pixar still loves animation enough to put their hearts and souls into each film, like Disney used to, but no longer does. It's too easy for animation to be done nowadays, so anybody with a Mac and $200 can make a TV show. $1000 can get you a feature film. It's too cheap and easy to do, so no care or love or craftsmanship goes into it. Looney Tunes cartoons were art. They were funny and sophisticated and hold up to this day, 60 years later. Tom and Jerry as well. These days it's all fart jokes and merchandising. I've felt this sadness for a long time, but this week I heard an NPR reporter put my thoughts into the most articulate and heartfelt 5 minutes I've ever heard spoken on NPR. I share it with you now. Click the NPR logo below:
1 comment:
Nice, but I have serious reservations towards the woman who claimed that Chicken Little had an inkling of value to it.
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