Golden Globe Musings: Best Animated Film

The following represents some preliminary thoughts on Golden Globe contenders for the given category. Predictions will be narrowed and revised towards the end of November or the beginning of December. A reminder that the Globes are wildly unpredictable and that it is way to early to gauge the reception or awards potential of a number of the so-called “contenders” at this point. This particular category is only going into its second year, so it is possible it may be stretched to five nominees instead of three.

The top contenders:
BEE MOVIE
I loved it, but I guess critics did not feel the same way. I still think it might break through with the popularity of Jerry Seinfeld and the trillions of obnoxious ads which aired on NBC.

BEOWULF
This is an odd case, because it is not your typical type of animation. “A Scanner Darkly” did not make it in last year. Robert Zemeckis might turn this film, which truthfully looks awful, into a major surprise hit.

MEET THE ROBINSONS
All I need to know is that I laughed every single time a local movie theatre showed a clip where the frogs took all the cell phones, threw them in the trunk of a car, and then closed the lid to indicate that cell phones should be shut off. The movie probably was not as good.

RATATOUILLE
Probably the biggest lock of the century. This one is almost guaranteed the win. It was so unbelievably good, I could not agree more.

SHREK THE THIRD
The first two were a huge hit; this one did not seem to do as well. I am not convinced that people are ready to let Shrek go yet (I of course have yet to see this installment).

THE SIMPSONS MOVIE
The film was received pretty well, and the TV-to-film transition seems to have gone fine. The television show did receive a nomination for Best Comedy Series back in 2002.

SURF’S UP
I won a prize which was a goodie bag with stuff pertaining to this movie. I have yet to see it, but I am assuming that it is not much more than Happy Feet Part Two. Which may not be the worst thing.

Current predictions:
BEE MOVIE
RATATOUILLE
SHREK THE THIRD