Best Animated Feature 2023
By Kat Nitti
Cover Illustration by Melissa Richardson
The Oscar animated picture nominations of 2023 demonstrate an intriguing competition between 5 utterly unique and gorgeous films. Predictions are soaring the internet like crazy, with the different styles and techniques used in each movie making each a viable contender for the prestigious award.
“Turning Red”
“Turning Red” has had an interesting public reaction since its launch due to its discussion of “taboo” topics in kids’ films, such as puberty, menstruation, and generational trauma. While the topics discussed in the show are very important messages that people of any age can relate to, I found that the humor and events in the show were not very universally relatable.
When it comes to animation, the show was very well executed, as a Pixar film typically is. The use of colors stood out the most to me, with them being gorgeous and vibrant. However, regarding the overall animation and visual effects, I think the movie did not go as far as the other contenders did. The film was great, but technically/ artistically speaking, it was very similar to many other animated children’s movies. Technical aspects like water, cloth, hair, and environments all looked good but were not exceptional. The only thing that stood out was the fur animation on the red pandas, which was gorgeous, yet it was only used on a couple of characters in selected scenes. Overall, the movie was great, but compared to the unique technical innovation demonstrated in other films, I am not sure it will hold up too well.
“The Sea Beast”
The first and most important aspect of this film is the phenomenally executed water animations. In a movie composed of so much rapidly moving, large bodies of water, the team did an amazing job of bringing life to such a complicated natural force. However, aside from that, the other technical aspects were a bit lackluster. It was gorgeous, but in some moments, there were questionable executions when it came to lip-syncing, cloth simulations, lighting, and animation. Similarly to “Turning Red”, the movie was adorable, and a great example of advancing graphics in the industry. However, it simply is not as memorable or uniquely executed as an Oscar-winning film typically is.
“Marcel the Shell with Shoes On”
Internet phenomenon turned movie star, “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” was likely the most unique film out of the five nominees. The writing was filled with hilarious yet universal comedy and heart-touching, meaningful discussions about loss, family, and community. Asides from the already distinctive writing, the animation itself stands out immensely. The movie used a mix of stop motion and live action in order to integrate a make-believe creature into real life. While this technical choice was gorgeous, it brings up the question of whether there was enough animation to be worthy of an animation Oscar. For example, its stop motion competitor “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinnochio” was more complex and demanding, with multiple characters, each with more limbs and features than Marcel, being animated at the same time. Between the two stop motion films, it seems as if it will be a clash between Marcel’s meaningful writing and stand-out style and Pinnochio’s huge world-building and more demanding, complex animation style.
“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”
Perhaps the most popular and publicly appreciated film on this list, “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”, took pop culture by storm due to its upbeat, artistically gorgeous, and comedic take on the already lovable character. The style and animation in the film were gorgeous, with it taking a new approach to Dreamworks style by incorporating a more cartoony, comic style that is being seen in more and more animated films.
The movement seemed to never stop, with dynamic fight scenes, exciting dancing, and at times a mix of both. Yet despite its gorgeous style, universal comedy, heart-wrenching themes, and appreciation from the public, there are a few things that may set back Puss in Boots from taking the gold. While the animation was dynamic and stylized, it was not the first film to use that style. In fact, such a style is becoming more and more prominent in the industry. Overall, if it were a popularity contest, Puss in Boots would likely be victorious, and for a good reason.
“Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio”
Out of the five nominations, “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” seems to be the most commonly believed to take first place, with it already having a Golden Globe under its belt. With all things considered, this belief is very clearly justified. Every single aspect of this film was executed with such clear passion and artistic genius. From gorgeous character designs, a distinct theme, engaging sets, and dynamic shots with a multitude of moving parts, Guillermo del Toro used stop motion to its fullest artistic extent when creating this film. While the story itself was not my personal favorite of the list, it was certainly unpredictable and well thought out and gave an existing character his own unique story. Therefore, I would feel no surprise if this movie takes the gold. However, I still think it has a bit of a fight to put up against the dynamically meaningful Puss in Boots and perhaps even the belovedly unique Marcel the Shell.
Overall, the nominations for Best Animated Feature of 2023 are perfect examples of the diversity of technical and artistic prowess in animated films. Each film was so uniquely constructed with evident care and passion, and I encourage anyone with even the slightest interest in this topic to explore more about the Oscars. If you are interested in exploring the contenders for the Best Visual Effects award, check out RenderQ’s article on the topic written by Andrea Rosado, as well as her review on the 2023 Visual Effects Bake Off.