Animation at the 97th Oscars: A Recap

The full length animation category in the Academy Awards line-up often features a mix of smaller releases and major productions.

That was the case this year, with two widely released pictures from Pixar and DreamWorks, along with three that were released directly via streaming and/or made by smaller studios. In the lead-up to this year’s ceremony, having seen “The Wild Robot” and “Inside Out 2,” I caught up on the other three.

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

The latest Wallace & Gromit is not only a fun romp, but a fantastic sequel to one of the duo’s most notable adventures. The movie is a follow-up to 1993’s “The Wrong Trousers,” where Wallace and Gromit, after some shenanigans, managed to capture the thief Feathers McGraw.

Since his imprisonment, Feathers has been plotting to somehow take his revenge. He finally finds an opportunity to do just that when Wallace invents a freaky robotic garden gnome that can be hacked. The result is an absolutely wild ride with the type of humor and lighthearted action that fans of these two have come to expect.

Gromit remains one of the most charming silent characters ever while Wallace is a lovable and well-meaning guy who can be a goof sometimes. The gnome is a funny addition to the cast, as is rookie cop PC Mukherjee (Lauren Patel). Plus, the animation is a real treat.

The themes of over-reliance on technology, use of AI and generally finding a healthy balance in use of machines adds a richness to the film. Plus the story flows quite well. 4 out of 5.

Flow

“Flow” is the phrase “we’re all in the same boat” come to life and put to screen. In the movie, in the midst of what appears to be a flood of biblical proportions, a little cat is looking for a way to survive. He finds one in a wooden boat helmed by a capybara.

As they sail through their ever-flooding surroundings, more animals looking to survive climb aboard. Over the course of the film, they have to learn to work together in a natural disaster that has no signs of slowing.

Unlike other animated features, the animals in “Flow” don’t talk so there is zero dialogue. However, there is still plenty of personality with each animal by way of their facial expression and, for lack of a better term, mannerisms. While they don’t speak, the crew is rather endearing to follow.

It is quite a simple affair when all is said and done, so it doesn’t quite have the emotional resonance or narrative depth other animated nominees have shown. However, it’s a sweet, breezy and nicely animated film about putting differences aside and coming together. 3.5 out of 5.

Memoirs of a Snail

One can really appreciate the clear amount of effort that went into “Memoirs of a Snail.” It’s a complex stop-motion creation that’s definitely credit-worthy because of the many unique character and world designs. The voice acting, particularly from lead Sarah Snook, known for her work in “Succession,” is also quite good.

What really drags the movie is how much of it just boils down to trauma porn. The main character and her brother are put through a metaphorical meat grinder, and it starts to feel cruel and unnecessary. I read that the film is loosely autobiographical for the director-writer Adam Elliot.

Well, that word “loosely” is critical here, because I know a lot of the things that happened here, didn’t happen to Elliot. For example, he didn’t have a brother that was fostered by a cult who put him into forced child labor.

I’m pretty sure he didn’t marry a spouse who was only with him to satisfy a kink. I’m also fairly certain he himself wasn’t an orphan who was separated from his siblings in the first place.

I bring all of this up because the main character just has one hardship after another, without ever getting a win along the way. Not until the end of the film, which is honestly a cop out. Tales of hardship are fine but they have to at least be grounded in the realism that not every day is a bad one.

In this film’s case, the hits keep on coming to the main character, to the point where it’s not effective anymore. The animation is commendable, the voice acting is good and there are some bits of strong dark humor, but this one just doesn’t quite work. 2.75 out of 5.