Hello out there boys and girls...joey here, and I wanted to open up a discussion in relation to an article I wrote on the site recently. Basically, the thing I want to talk about here is whether or not WALL-E has any shot at a Best Picture nod. I want to know what you all think. Is it a legit contender if it's good enough? Or is the Best Animated Feature the best a cartoon can do these days?
Let the debate begin!
Let the debate begin!
Posts
Unlikely.
ReplyDeleteAny animated movie has a possible shot; its just highly improbable. No animated film has been nominated since '91. However, during that span, some great animated films were made (Toy Story, the Incredibles, Lion King, etc.). WALL-E would have to be vastly superior than the previous animated films that did not get a best pic nom.
Another thing that hurts Wall's chances is the fact that they have separate category for animated features. Wall-E would have to be so special that voters would bypass placing it in the "animated feature" category. Given the fact that this has never happened since the creation of the animated feature category (2001), makes it seem unlikely that things will change.
The only thing I can say in support of Wall-E's chances is that we can not project past regularities unto the future. Hence, even though no animated feature has yet to be nominated for best pic since '91,it does not imply that it can't happen. Perhaps Wall-E is so different and great that it will overcome the substantial burden against it. But, a wise man proportions his belief to the evidence. And, given the body of evidence, I don't think Wall-E stands much of a chance for a best pic nod.
I think it's unlikely as well, but I still thought it was a great article, just like all your others. Keep up the good work!!!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, some Academy members might not take animated features seriously enough as to consider them for a BP nom, even though some of the movies made by Pixar clearly belonged to the greatest of their respective years (just like last year's Ratatouille).
ReplyDeleteAnd the fact that they now have their own category makes it even more difficult for them to get in. What still gives me hope, however, is the fact, that sometimes a foreign language film manages to sneak into the BP category, even though they also got their own one.
I still keep my fingers crossed for the guys from Pixar, hoping their consistent great work will one day (maybe this year with Wall-E) be honored the way it should be!
And besides, we're talking about the Oscars here. That means the only thing that's certain, is that nothing's certain!
I think that there will be an animated feature to win Best Picture someday; I also think, however, that there has only ever been one animated film nominated for the prize (Beauty and the Beast, 1991) and that it is likely that we will see a foreign film win the award long before we see an animated film win it.
ReplyDeleteindeed everybody...time will tell
ReplyDeleteand thanks for the compliment anonymous!
ReplyDeleteIt is unlikely because the Academy does not like admitting that animated, "kids", movies can accomplish what live action can. But that is not true, because animated films can do more than live action and I hope that Wall-E can do it and I want to see one win, same with foreign films. When the Academy realizes that non-American and animation films are just as good as (and usually better than) American films, we will see one win.
ReplyDeleteI agree anonymous-2. In order for a foreign flick or animated film to win, there will have to be a paradigmatic shift in how the voter's think. I thought the Counterfeiters was better than 3 of the best pic nominees last year. And it probably should have been considered a best pic nominee, but old ways of thinking prevailed. I think Wall-E will (unfortunately) suffer a similar fate. But, hopefully, things will change, so that all films are measured by the same standard. The best pic should be the best pic...not the best British or American. Or Animated. Or Foreign.
ReplyDeleteoh, and great article Joey. a good read.