Here is the second half of The Top Ten Animated Family Films of This Century list. (To listen to a short, quick version of the list, check out the June 30, 2018 episode of Salt + Light Radio Hour, where I cover all ten films in under seven minutes.)
One reason many of these films made it onto this list is that they deal with the universal theme of family, and the importance of family in our lives—a theme that can be appreciated by everyone at every age. However, the films on this list do more than highlight the importance of family; they also show the great beauty of a loving family life and even offer us models of what a loving family can look like—in the midst of difficulty and misunderstanding—and how that love we experience in our family becomes the foundation upon which we build our lives.
Maybe this list will help you pick out a couple of films to watch with your family this summer. I'd love to hear your thoughts on these top ten—please comment below!
5. How To Train Your Dragon 1 & 2 (2010, 2014; PG)
Directed by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders (How To Train Your Dragon 2 directed by Dean DeBlois), from Dreamworks Animation, based on the books by Cressida Cowell
Son of a fearless Viking chief, Hiccup doesn’t fit the Viking mold. He should be learning how to fight dragons. But when he accidentally befriends a powerful Night Fury dragon that he injured, Hiccup discovers that the dragon-fighting Vikings have misjudged their greatest enemy. Instead of being their enemies, dragons could become precious allies—if only he and his Night Fury can overcome the prejudice and fears of the Viking people.
How To Train Your Dragon 2 begins with Hiccup still not “fitting in” to his village or his father’s expectations. Hiccup prefers to go exploring rather than preparing to become the new village chief, but on his explorations, Hiccup discovers both terrible threats and wonderful new discoveries that will change his village forever. But his greatest discovery is how he needs his family to deal with both.
I take secret delight in all stories with great dragon characters, and both of these films are personal favorites of mine, despite some of the films’ weaknesses (for example, some of the dragons get more character development than the stereotypical secondary characters). Above all, these films are unbeatable in the depth and realism with which they explore Hiccup’s character development and the key relationships in his life— above all with his father. I couldn’t choose between these two films is that the first one is really great, but the second film is not just a worthy sequel, but in some ways tops the first film.
The adventure and visual delight of vicariously flying on the back of a dragon, and the stunning attention to the world of dragons make both films artistic masterpieces.
Reasons To Watch: If you are not a dragon-story lover, these films are both profound coming-of-age stories that will resonate with both children and adults. They also delve realistically and deeply into parent-child relationships, the preservation and cultivation of the natural world, and the realistic consequences of dealing with danger, including loss. Although the films also include a good bit of fighting (because the protagonists are Vikings and dragons, after all), the resolution of each film’s major conflict comes not from physical strength or violence but rather by authentic leadership.
Both films are chockfull of fun and strong community and family values.
Note for parents: In addition to the fighting scenes and life-and-death danger of the animated characters, How To Train Your Dragon 2 specifically deals with loss of a beloved major character, and the influence of that loss on Hiccup.
4. The Secret of Kells (2009; PG)
Directed by Tom Moore & Nora Twomey (co-director), from Cartoon Saloon
The story of Brendan, the young nephew of the Abbot of the monastery at Kells, who is entrusted with a series of tasks to help save the Book of Kells from the destruction of Viking invaders (who did indeed attack the monastery several times. In the year 806, 68 monks were murdered at the monastery by the invaders). The film is an imaginative, fantastical fairytale that weaves together Celtic myth and legend and a delightfully playful imagination, centered around the Word of God and set within the context of actual historical events. Note to parents: as imaginative and playful as this film is, some of the animated sequences of the invasion could be very scary for younger children.
Reasons to watch: The Book of Kells is a real, ancient illuminated manuscript of the four Gospels with commentary and exquisite illustrations—thought to be completed by the monks at Iona or Kells around 800 A.D. (The Book of Kells has been called the greatest medieval treasure of Europe.) In the film, the Book of Kells is treated as much more than an artistic treasure. It was one of the precious copies of the Sacred Word of God, and the holy manuscript represents the light of the Gospel that transformed Western civilization. The focus of the film is the urgency of saving this precious copy of the Gospel from destruction. The playful, imaginative spirit of the film resonates well with the playful, imaginative illustrations found in the Book of Kells, such as the film’s mysterious white cat character, whose image is found in the illustrations of the Book of Kells. (I have always found monasteries and convents some of the most joyful places on earth.) The hand-drawn, exquisite style of animation draws on the illuminated art in the Book of Kells itself.
Themes include: art and the imagination, the Bible (especially the Gospel), the Gospel as a light of civilization and the importance of allowing it to continue to shine—in reading the Bible, in sharing Word of God with others, in trying to live the Word of God in the choices we make.
A possible family activity after watching the film would be to look online at some of the exquisite pages of the Book of Kells here or here (or other illuminated manuscripts such as the Lindisfarne Gospels), and invite each member of the family to choose a story from the Gospel to “illuminate.” Then, either create the illuminated story with text and image, or invite each member to talk about how they would illuminate that story—what symbols would they use, which words from the Gospel text would they emphasize, and how.
3. The LEGO Movie (2014; PG)
Directed by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, from Warner Brothers.
This bright, primary-colored, youngster-friendly story is about ordinary LEGO construction worker Emmet Brickowoski, who accidentally discovers an important artifact (the Piece of Resistance) prophesied about at the beginning of the film. Emmet is identified as the “Special,” a Messiah-like figure who is expected to defeat President Business, who threatens to paralyze all in the LEGO worlds with superglue (the “Krackle”). Emmet’s ordinariness AND specialness are ultimately what will save the LEGO worlds and reinforce the truth that all of us are both ordinary and special.
For a film based on a bunch of interlocking block toys, The LEGO Movie is not just watchable by the whole family, but is truly engaging and has a deeper “something” for kids of all ages, throughout its sometimes zany, often unexpected twists and turns.
Reasons To Watch: Always true to its initial inspiration, The LEGO Movie is brilliantly written and masterfully executed, all with an uncompromising fidelity to primary colors and its young audience. A “spoof” of the popular superhero stories we have been inundated with lately, The LEGO Movie takes us on a journey with a block-like, ordinary construction worker who, by the end, grows into not only recognizing his own specialness, but by recognizing that every “person” (or LEGO character) is uniquely special. As a screenwriter, I am awed each time I see how The LEGO Movie filmmakers accomplish such deeply felt, surprising, and insightful moments, all in a fun way. For more reasons to watch, check out my initial review:
Emmet’s self-sacrifice near the end is a powerful image of selfless, Christ-like love. Where The LEGO Movie really stands out is its twofold message about yearning to be special. Being special is such a fundamental human desire that even grown-ups can resonate with Emmet’s pain when he’s harshly told that he’s not special. But Emmet doesn’t just discover that he’s special (an important message in itself for young viewers). He also discovers how his “specialness” fits with his being part of a community, part of a team. We are all special and unique, and yet we best express how special we are when we “fit” together and work with each other. This second message is delightfully reinforced by the ending, which is refreshingly nonviolent.
2. Up (2009; PG)
Directed by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson (co-director) from Walt Disney/Pixar Animation.
The first eleven minutes of this film make a powerful stand-alone film all by itself—not just a poignant introduction to the protagonist and a backstory that captures our hearts and imaginations, but also a touching tribute to the beauty of married life and an introduction to the themes of the rest of the film.
But those first eleven minutes are also the perfect set-up for a fantastic story about elderly Carl Frederickson, who, still grieving after the loss of his beloved wife Ellie, decides to carry out their childhood dream of following in the footsteps of a famed explorer and flying to the mysterious Paradise Falls in South America. On his fantastical flight (helium balloons lift his house and take him to South America), Carl unknowingly takes along a “stowaway,” young neighbor Russell, who challenges him to go beyond his grief to live a new adventure. And they truly do have a wonderful adventure—not just reaching Paradise Falls and meeting its mysterious inhabitants, but then growing beyond grief and fear.
Reasons to Watch: With its gentleness, spirit of adventure, poignance, laugh-out-loud humor, and talking dogs, there is no reason not to watch this uplifting film! At every moment, we are lifted up with the film’s positive, hopeful view of life—in all its beauty, meaning, and dignity, even at times of grief or sorrow. A gentle, genuinely affecting film made for viewers of all ages, Up is truly the perfect family summer film.
And finally...
1. Spirited Away (PG, 2001)
Directed (and written) by Hayao Miyazaki, from Studio Ghibli
Spirited Away is considered by many to be the masterpiece of Studio Ghibli and of its most famous director, Hayao Miyazaki. Spirited Away is the story of 10 year-old Chichiro, who is driving with her parents to their new home. A despondent Chichiro already misses her friends, but becomes uneasy when her parents get lost and decide to explore an old building they come upon: an entrance to a seemingly abandoned amusement park, where they find abundant, delicious fresh food. Her parents dig in without question to the food…and eat so greedily that they lose their humanity and become pigs. Chichiro then discovers that she and her parents are trapped in a magical bathhouse for spirits. A seemingly friendly boy named Haku warns her that if she doesn’t leave immediately without her parents, she won't survive unless she gets a job. So Chichiro signs a contract with the witch in charge, Yubaba, who steals Chichiro’s name and thus traps her there as well.
This short description of the first few minutes of the film doesn't do it justice. The film is truly a magically animated adventure, filled with an incredibly variety of creatures and settings, wondrously animated with incredible and generous attention to detail.
Reasons to Watch: A truly fantastical adventure filled with strange creatures, Spirited Away is a sheer delight to watch, both for its lavish animation and the deftly developed plot which allows us to truly enter into Chichiro’s journey. And it is this magical, realistic journey of young Chichiro that makes this film resonate with viewers young and old, for it is the journey of a young, practically helpless ten-year-old girl whose pluck, determination, and persistence help her both to survive and to mature into a lovely young woman with intelligence, resilience, strength, and goodness. Both fable and fairy tale, every moment in this adventure is much more than it seems, just as each character is much more than they seem. Themes include: the respect that everyone deserves, the virtue of loyalty, the importance of balance, the consequences of gluttony, freedom, the importance of memory, and the reality that the choices we make have consequences.
(All of Studio Ghibli’s films are well worth exploring. Here is a previous post from my blog with a quick look at some of the other Studio Ghibli films.)
What do you think? Agree? Disagree? What is your family's favorite animated features (from this century)? Please comment below!