The directors, John Musker and Ron Clements, have previously worked on beloved Disney films such as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and The Princess and the Frog.  Excited yet?  I can't wait for a full trailer.  You can read more and see some exclusive images in this people.com article as well.

Obviously, the title role in a Disney animated feature would catapult whoever got selected onto Hollywood's radar (especially if they did a spectacular job), so I'm glad Disney chose to highlight an actress of Polynesian descent (like Moana herself).  I honestly don't think ethnicity should be that much of an issue in voice acting in animation (it's animation, you don't see the actors). In my opinion, Caucasian actress Daveigh Chase did a great job as Lilo (presumably Native Hawaiian, I don't recall it being stated) in Disney's Lilo & Stitch. However, there are not often many opportunities or roles available for Native Hawaiian or Polynesian actresses, so due to this, I really applaud Disney for Cravalho's casting. 

What yet-to-be-released animated films have you excited and why?  Let me know in the comments!
[Edit: Added more info!]

My take on Mulan, along with other Disney friends (photo credit: Tom Quach)

I've always thought it'd be cool to sing "in character" while cosplaying and Mulan is one of my favorite Disney characters, so ... Lea Salonga (Mulan and Jasmine's singing voices) I am not, but I gave it my best shot for Robin Lee Hatcher's #RLHKaraokeGiveaway!  The video with the most "likes" by May 26, 2015 wins a $100 gift card, so I only have a day to catch up.  Please click on the link below to vote for me if you feel so inclined and feel free to share also. I promise, I sing in tune, so your ears shouldn't be damaged!  ;-)

Click here to go to the video page to vote. (Please click on the "thumbs up" button on the bottom right corner of the video).

To check out the other entrants, click on the hashtag above.

With the 87th Academy Award winners  announced yesterday, I thought I'd go over the animated feature films nominated for the Oscars and other awards over the last quarter.  I meant to get this out before the Oscars were revealed, but long story short, I accidentally erased my blog post (note to self, always write up in a word processor first)! *facepalm*  So without further adieu ...

Oscars - Best Animated Feature Film:
Big Hero 6 - Walt Disney Animation Studio
--So, I admit, the Berkian (How to Train Your Dragon fan) in me was disappointed that Big Hero 6 took home the Oscar, but I am eager to get my hands on "BH6" (especially now that it won the Academy Award).  After checking out this interview with Disney Animation Studios Chief Technology Officer, Andy Hendrickson talking about new graphics technology developed for BH6, I'm curious to see how "this film is more complex than our [Disney's] last three films combined."
 

The Boxtrolls - Focus Features/Laika
--I just saw The Boxtrolls (the first stop-motioned animated film I've seen in recent memory) last week and I ended up enjoying it much more than I thought I would!  I was particularly intrigued by their combination of traditional techniques and new technology (e.g. lasercutting, using 3D printing to create the puppets, using CGI animation with stop-motion, etc.) Note: the DVD version contains roughly 45 minutes of behind the scenes extras and featurettes --much better than other bigger studios have provided on their DVDs *cough*Disney'sFrozen*cough*DreamWork'sTheCroods*cough* Check out one of the featurettes on the costume design below:


How to Train Your Dragon 2 - DreamWorks Animation SKG
--For me, HTTYD2 definitely lived up to the hype: --dramatic, emotional, more mature storyline, raised stakes, a shocking twist, amazing animation (I think the snow and ice environments rivaled or were better than Frozen's), beautiful lighting, wonderful voice acting ...
Of course it wasn't perfect: there were a couple plot threads that I feel could have gotten expanded upon if they had more time.  They tried to do a lot (maybe too much?) and perhaps that's where Big Hero 6 topped them ... As with Disney Animation and BH6, DreamWorks Animation also developed new animation technology and HTTYD2 was their first film to be completely created with it. Called Apollo, it received the juried Ub Iwerks Award from the International Animated Film Society this January "for technical advancement that has made a significant impact on the art or industry of animation."


Song of the Sea - GKIDS/Cartoon Saloon
--An Irish animated film by Tomm Moore, co-founder of Cartoon Saloon.  His previous work, The Secret of the Kells, also was nominated for best animated feature.  I never really paid attention to international animation until now, so this was new to me.  It looks very beautiful, almost like the illustrations from a picture book.  I'm glad that there are still animation companies creating feature films that have that traditional, 2D style ... Check out the trailer below:
 

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya - GKIDS/Studio Ghibli
Kaguya-hime no Monogatari or The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is a Japanese animated film by Isao Takahata.  He is known as the co-founder of Studio Ghibli (with the famed Hayao Miyazaki). Based on the 10th century Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, I was stuck by the lovely pen and ink strokes that evoke Asian brush paintings.  Truly looks like a work of art and I can't wait to see it.  See the official English dubbed trailer below:


72nd Golden Globes - Best Animated Feature Film
--Along with Big Hero 6, The Boxtrolls, and How to Train Your Dragon 2 (which won the award), the Golden Globes also nominated these two animated films:

The Book of Life - Reel FX Animation Studios/Twentieth Century Fox
--Produced by Guillermo del Toro (best known to me for the slightly dark, fairy tale inspired film Pan's Labyrinth).  Like The Boxtrolls, the quirky, stylized art makes it stand out from the other animated films this year.  It's very unique and distinctive, though it seems to be aiming at the kids audience by being comedic.  Another film I've yet to check out.


The Lego Movie - Warner Bros. Pictures--So I was a bit surprised at people saying The LEGO Movie was snubbed by not being nominated for the Oscars.  I had previously dismissed this film as one aimed at kids by using juvenile humor and ... well, it's LEGO.  Obviously this was just a hour and a half long commercial for their toys, right?  (Just kidding.)  However, I've found that quite a few adults and film critics enjoyed this film.  Also, the animation is supposed to be pretty good as well, so ... I'll be giving it a shot when I have the time.


Do you have any favorite animated films from 2014?  Have you watched any of the animated films mentioned here?  Any of the movies here catch your eye?  Why?

[Edited for formatting, Golden Globes info]

Yay, finals week is over! Just submitted my last project, so I can get back to blogging.  Lots of reviews coming soon, but for now, Wordless Wednesday is back!

(c.) 2013 Walt Disney Animation Studios

“…the directors, songwriters, producer and artists and chief creative officer John Lasseter — the team who dreamed of making a cherished Hans Christian Andersen story into a big screen animated musical.”