Toon Talk: Ratatouille and Pixar Shorts Collection Vol 1 DVDs
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Both the critics and American Gangster swatted Bee Movie this past weekend, which is bad for DreamWorks Animation but good for award watchers. The Jerry Seinfeld comedy was the last major fully animated release of the year (see postscript, below), and now we have a clear view of all the contenders this year for the Animated Feature trophies.

Ratatouille is a shoe-in; with a whopping 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it is the best-reviewed movie of the year so far, which even has some pundits thinking it has a shot for a Best Picture nod (don’t get too excited, it ain’t gonna happen). The Simpsons Movie is another likely nominee, with both generally good notices and huge box office (always a plus -- the Academy likes to celebrate success). DreamWorks will, of course, still push for Bee Movie as well as Shrek the Third (its two predecessors were both nominated, with the first winning Oscar’s first in the separate category), but I foresee another spoiler for them, from France no less: Perseopolis.

The black and white, traditionally animated film, directed by Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi from the latter’s autobiographical graphic novel, tells a more dramatic and adult-aimed story then most animated fare (the Islamic Revolution as seen through the eyes of the rebellious, 8-year old Satrapi ... in other words, no fairy tales or talking animals).  It has already gained recognition (and some controversy) for being selected by France as its entry in the Foreign Language Oscar race (besting the favored La Vie en Rose), a rare rare feat for an animated film. With its glowing reviews and audience reception, it could very well be nominated in both categories come nomination time, an occurrence unprecedented in Academy history.

So it all may come down to a replay of the 2003 race, with a Pixar blockbuster (Finding Nemo, then) against a French art house favorite (Triplets of Belleville) in the race for the gold. That is, if the Simpson clan doesn’t throw a monkey wrench into the whole proceedings.

Postscript: For the record, Robert Zemeckis’ motion captured epic Beowulf will likely be ineligible under the new Academy rules for the Animated Feature category, although it could still be in the running for the Golden Globes and other award groups (the reviews for the film, opening November 16, will answer that question). As for Disney’s own Meet the Robinsons? Not a chance.

This article also appears on Kirby’s blog at MovieDearest.blogspot.com.