The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Bear

First thing - this is NOT a movie for children. It's very very dark for the most part with a lot of death in it. However, it's also incredibly lovely and tender with a lot of love in it. The questions this film asks are very profound, and I'm not sure there is a right or wrong response to any of them. The animation is just gorgeous, like constantly flowing watercolors. I loved everything about this. 5/5

The Boy Who Wanted to Be a Bear on Netflix

Sing

Okay, I straight up loved this. There was nothing about this feel-good film I didn't love. I cannot say anything bad about it, honestly. It was sweet, I loved the redemption story, and all the character work was awesome. I had no idea ScarJo could sing either, so that was a bonus for me. Loved this! 5/5

Sing on Netflix

Toy Story 2

Am I weird? I must be weird, because I wasn't a huge fan of this. I liked the characters and their development, especially all the new folk from Woody's Roundup. I liked the sense of adventure and the moral of the story. But, honestly, the plot got a little much for me. Okay, I know this is an animated story about toys that come to life when no one is watching, but it got a bit ridiculous. For example - Woody's arm tears from gentle play, but he can handle the air velocity of a plane taking off without injury. RIIIIIIGHT. The whole film is filled with these types of gaffes, where we're given a rule of the world one minute and it's broken the next. It really bothered me after a bit, if I'm being honest. I'll be interested to see the third one now. 3/5

Toy Story 2 on Netflix

Mulan

In my quest to watch more animated films, I realized that there was a rather large chunk of Disney films I had missed in the 90's and 00's. I watched "The Little Mermaid" last week when I had pneumonia, and tonight I watched "Mulan". Here's the thing. I hated both of them. Now I remember why I stopped watching animated films, because I was finding I disliked more and more of them. "The Little Mermaid" was so sexist and gender-conforming it was ridiculous. And "Mulan" was so culturally insensitive I was honestly stunned a few times. I see that reviewers on Netflix praise "Mulan" for teaching girls they can be anything, but that wasn't what I saw. The gender and race tone of this film really bothered me a lot. I now understand the argument for the "revolution" as it were of Disney princesses, because what I've been seeing is just bad. Maybe it's just me, maybe I'm looking at something 20 years old with the eyes of today, but I just can't get behind these films. I think I'm moving back to the modern era for a bit. 2/5

Mulan on Netflix

Trolls

This and "Moana" arrived together, and I have the worst food poisoning of my life and needed something funny. All I knew about "Trolls" going in is that most said it was damn funny and I liked the theme song. I didn't know it was a musical, so that caught me off guard, as I'm kind of meh on many musicals. This was really really funny though - the script was both snappy and witty. I'm absolutely awful as placing voices, so I was really surprised to see everyone who voiced this in the credits - they were all great, with special nods to Zooey Deshenel and Russell Brand, and obviously the two leads were awesome.. It really did make me laugh out loud quite a bit, so I'm happy I went with this tonight, I will watch Moana in a day or so. 4/5

Trolls on Netflix

Finding Nemo

This is officially now my new favorite animated film. It had so much heart and wit and actual drama, I was really moved by it. I laughed really hard quite often, especially at Dory, who I just loved. Honestly, I loved everything about this. It's funny, I always think I don't like animated films, but, way more often than not, I really enjoy them. So, resolved, to watch a bunch of the animated films I've missed, in particular the Shrek series, the Toy Story sequels, Moana, the Despicable Me films, Trolls, and the Kung Fu Panda films. All added to my queue, with, of course, Finding Dory, which will be next. Loved this so much! 5/5

Finding Nemo on Netflix

Inside Out

After this movie came out I had a stream of friends approach me and tell me I had to watch this film, and that I would adore it. As only a lukewarm fan of animated films, I was a bit dubious. But now, now I get it, totally and completely. This is a very important film, perhaps the most important film I've seen in a long while. It addresses depression and mental illness in a completely stigma-free way and allows for a discussion of emotions that everyone should have. Perhaps most vitally, it's done in a way that even young children can understand and relate to. This film should be required viewing for anyone over the age of ten, and I hope there is an endless stream of families that will sit down, watch this, and discuss it together. Absolute perfection. 5/5

Inside Out on Netflix

Frozen

I'm not big on animated films but this was fun with great music & I did appreciate the message of it. Sweet & funny. 4/5

Frozen on Netflix

Despicable Me

I really enjoyed this & loved the voice work but I felt it was missing that extra something that hits the heart. 4/5

Despicable Me on Netflix

Brave

I really enjoyed this Pixar film, better than "Up" for me I think. Kelly MacDonald was terrific - I smiled throughout. 4.5/5

Brave on Netflix

The Iron Giant

What an absolutely marvelous movie this is! Wonderful writing with a lot of heart & soul, I really loved it. 5/5

The Iron Giant on Netflix

Tangled

This family animated film was terribly sweet & well voiced - I loved Donna Murphy in particular. It made me smile. 4/5

Tangled on Netflix

Hop

The animated parts of this Easter comedy are far better than the live action counterparts with wonderful voice acting. 3/5

Hop on Netflix

How To Train Your Dragon

Possibly the most awesomely uplifting & happiest movie I've ever seen. I loved it, truly, so special. 5/5

How To Train Your Dragon on Netflix

Metropia

This fascinating animated feature is just gorgeous but suffers a bit from an overly ambiguous plot. Intriguing. 3.5/5

Metropia on Netflix

Watership Down

This is an amazingly powerful albeit tremendously disturbing film. Very profound & affecting - brilliant. 5/5

Watership Down on Netflix

The Incredibles

Seriously, has Pixar ever missed? This was funny, exciting, & heartwarming. Another winner - excellent. 5/5

The Incredibles on Netflix

Vexille

OK idea, big plot holes, beautiful background animation but the characters looked awful. Uncanny valley on display. 2 stars.

Vexille at Netflix

Batman:Under The Red Hood

Good. Dark. Tragic, with that Sisyphean flavor that all the good Bat stories have. 4.5 stars.

Batman: Under The Red Hood at Netflix