Year In Review

This was something I've been planning on doing for a while, and with my first child ready to show up any day now, I figured I had better get my tail in gear and get it out of the way.



2007 was the year in which animated films (no matter how good) felt the backlash of the previous year, in which film company executives did their best to ruin the genre for everyone.

No matter how good "Meet the Robinsons," "Surf's Up," and the others were, audiences just weren't ready to turn out in masses after being burnt by some of the flaming turds from the year before. However that doesn't mean that CG was without a home as "Shrek the Third" continued to give Mike Myers a reason to live outside of "Austin Powers" and "Ratatouille" scrounged up a hefty haul, despite falling short of previous Pixar gems.

Here is my rundown of the CG films released this year, in order of North American box off take. Obviously films like the recently released "Bee Movie" will continue to make money throughout the end of the year, so keep that in mind.

1. - Shrek the Third - $321 million
Yes, you read that correctly. "Shrek the Third" brought in $321 million in U.S. theaters alone, putting it third on the list of highest grossing CG films, behind "Shrek 2: We Hadn't Started Coming Up With Clever Names Yet" and "Finding Nemo." It's a good, but not great, film, and if you are a fan of the series, you'll find more to like here. My good friend, who is a casual animation fan, summed it up best when he said, "My family and I liked it, but we just felt like we had seen it all before." With "Shrek Goes Fourth" already announced, we can only hope that the filmmakers take a few more chances with everyone favorite green ogre.

2. - Ratatouille - $206 million
Pixar needs to sign Brad Bird to a lifetime contract and let the man do what he wants until he retires. If he wanted to make custom women's clogs instead of films, I'd even probably let him, because they'd be the best custom women's clogs ever. "Ratatouille" was a beautiful, charming, cinematic treat, and one that I now own on DVD and Blu-Ray. Sure I'm a Pixar nerd (who isn't?), but films like this one deserve to be seen by every person on the planet. Thank you, Mr. Bird... for giving me a reason to live.

3. - Meet the Robinsons - $98 million
While a modest hit, I would have love to see "Robinsons" find a larger audience, if for no other reason than getting the chance to meet The Bowler Hat Guy, who is in my opinion the greatest movie villain to emerge in the last 20 years. While the film was a little too over the top in spots, it's actually got a lot of heart, and some true laugh out loud moments.

4. - Bee Movie - $94 million
Haven't seen it. Want to see it. Nine month pregnant women can't sit through movies in movie theaters. Not only do they have to pee every 5 minutes ("Excuse me." "Pardon me." "Sorry... again."), but the seats just aren't comfortable enough. I will sneak away at some point though... you have my word, Jerry.

5. - Surf's Up! - $59 million
By far the biggest disappointment on the list. Not in terms of the film's quality, which is superb, but in terms of the box office revenue. "Surf's Up!" was done in by being lumped into the "another talking animal" film, and not only that but the fact that most parents didn't want to sit through another "Happy Feet." Oh if they had only given it a shot, they would have seen that "Surf's Up!" is to "Happy Feet" as steak and lobster is to fried baby turds. Fans of animation and mockumentaries ("Spinal Tap," "Best in Show") should love "Surf's," but even folks who don't like those genres can at least marvel at the beautiful water. It's on DVD and Blu-Ray, and you need to add this one to your library if you haven't already.

6. - TMNT - $54 million
After a strong opening weekend ($24 million) prompted one of the Weinsteins to announce we would be seeing many more turtle films, things looked quite good for the four "heroes in a half shell." However it seems that most of the nerds who grew up loving the turtles as kids chose to see the film on opening weekend, because after that its take dropped off considerably. The film was decent, the acting was passable, and the visuals were top-notch (the scene in the rain on the rooftop is still amazing.)

7. - Beowulf - $28 million
Haven't seen it. Won't see it. Might rent it.

8. - Happily N'Ever After - $16 million
While audiences may not always be the best at spotting the gems, they can sure sniff out the stinkers, hence "Happily" only pulling in $16 million. My wife rented this not too long ago, and it only took me walking in halfway through and watching 5 minutes to know that I had seen enough. It just wasn't for me, and Rotten Tomatoes combined score for the film is a 4%, so I guess I'm not alone.

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So there you have it. My year in review. All in all it was a great year, in terms of quality of CG films, with only a few lame ducks in the mix. 2008 slows a bit more over 2007, in terms of output, but with films like "WALL-E," "Kung Fu Panda," and "Horton Hears a Who" set to release, it should be another great year.

Take care!