Animated Movies: Have computer graphics lowered our standards?

Question

Take a look in the theatres, what do you see? In terms of animated movies, they are almost all done with computers these days! I have nothing against technology, and this is not an incentive to give me your opinions on the plot or lackthereof of animated movies; this is a strictly artistic peeve. Back in the day, when people actually drew the characters, and placed them frame-by-frame into magnificent backgrounds, movies looked good. As an artist, I have come to pick up on these things. Recently I dug out my old childhood favorite, Aladdin, and watched, but was amazed to find the quality of the animation! Since Pixar's popularizing of 3D-Animation with Toy Story and such, computer animation has become a staple of animated movies! I have seen previews for such garbage as Monster House, The Wild, and Madagascar, all spawn of 3D-Animation. Sure its more efficient, but what happened to good, old-fashioned HAND DRAWN animation? What are your thoughts, from an artistic perspective?

Answer 1

To see REAL animation dig deeper into the Disney archive - Fantasia is a great example. Much of Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast were also done on computers!

So the difference you are referring to is more about the styling of the images: flat colors rendering 2D images, as opposed to multiple colors that render images with more depth and fluidity.

The term "animation" is also used for stop-motion films, like the classic TV Christmas specials, such as Rudolph. But these techniques have also evolved tremendously - just watch "The Corpse Bride."

All things in life, including art, will evolve and change over time. It is the nature of things. If all movies were made the same way, we'd become disinterested. If all songs were performed in the same style, we'd be bored. Learn to appreciate the subtle nuances in each, and the passion and intelligence that it takes to continue building upon the skills we already have to create something new.

Answer 2

I think the flash and dazzle of computer animation has certainly left telling a good story by the wayside, particularly with kids movies. Disney's hand-drawn output, for example, is full of twists and subtlety that are very lacking in the computer animated world. Today's children's movies tend toward the theme of a group of talking animals go on an adventure to find a lost friend. Wee. Never did that before, lol.

Answer 3

I agree, I don't mind technology, but it would be better to mix and match the technology with the story. So many newer movies that they did on computer would have been better hand drawn and vise a versa.

So happy the simpsons is in 2-D!!!

BRING 2-D Back!

Answer 4

I strongly agree. Hand cartoons seemed like alot more work and were alot more fun to watch. I have never actually worked with 3d though so i can't say it's harder. But 3d movies have no individuality or style, ther're the same movies with different characters. When comparing two disney movies like Tarzan which had a sketchy style and Hercules which had a... Swirly style. It made the movies individual and more interesting.

Answer 5

Raised my expectations. I expect to see top-notch graphics and effects when i go to see anything animated. Many things even, on the computer are still drawn and take hours and days of work.