Disney goes back to 2D animation.

[Tarnish]

Or close enough to fool the casual observer, anyway.

It's nice to see they've quit that awful 3D business. This is definitely a step back in the right direction, but I'll reserve any judgment until I see more. After all, Enchanted was horrifyingly awful.

Not to mention that redneck sidekick has real potential to be the most annoying thing ever in the history of the world.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

Aw... I liked Enchanted! I thought that I'd strangle myself if I had five more seconds of the animation in the beginning, but once it got to the live action stuff I thought it was a charming film that was not ashamed to be what it was! However, I'm happy to hear that Disney is going back to being one of the last bastions of 2d animation.

[Sheenar]

I really liked Enchanted also!

But anyway, yeah--I've been sad to see so many studios turning to 3D animation --the 2D style just has a certain charm to it that 3D does not.

It's good to see that Disney is coming out with a 2D movie (I just hope it's not like the 2D cartoons on tv...)

[ADXC]

I prefer 2D because it has shown great movies in it. 3D loses something from the 2D form, Im not sure what but 2D is just fine for me. (I mean The Little Mermaid, Aladden, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King were all just great animated movies. With good morals too.)
It may be because that's what I grew up with, but I do like 2D better. It just feels warmer to me.

[Scarecrow]

It's nice to see they've quit that awful 3D business.

Says the person with the Wall-E avatar

[Ashley]

I happened to find Enchanted hilarious.

What I find strange is that it's set in New Orleans. I can't remember Disney movies ever being set in a specific city before.

Anyway, I hope it'll be good, but I'm not holding my breath.

[Tarnish]

Says the person with the Wall-E avatar

Hey, Pixar can keep making 3D movies until the end of time and you'll never hear a complaint from me.

Disney, however, is a different story. To my knowledge, they haven't put out anything in 3D that's worth anyone's time.

[LadyRushia]

Enchanted was awesome. o.o

I hope this will be good. 2D + Disney tends to create epic things.

[GrubbTheFragger]

Enchanted was ok. Nothing to praise as BEST THING EVAH! but still not horrid. It was refreshing to be honest finally Disney being disney. Don't get me wrong Wall-E was pretty wonderful to look at and just a all around fun movie. But come on Wall-E can't be compared to Lion King (Disneys best work to date IMO)

[Tarnish]

When did this become the "Hey! Who here likes Enchanted?!" thread, anyway? I'll change my post if everyone's just gonna get upset about it.

But come on Wall-E can't be compared to Lion King (Disneys best work to date IMO)

You had better mean "can't be compared" as in "they are completely different, and thus, cannot be compared fairly" and not "The Lion King was better".

Otherwise I'll never be your best friend. And I would find no problem in hunting down everyone you've ever known and loved because you obviously have a big chunk of plastic where your heart should be, but that is neither here nor there.

[GrubbTheFragger]

When did this become the "Hey! Who here likes Enchanted?!" thread, anyway? I'll change my post if everyone's just gonna get upset about it.

You had better mean "can't be compared" as in "they are completely different, and thus, cannot be compared fairly" and not "The Lion King was better".

Otherwise I'll never be your best friend. And I would find no problem in hunting down everyone you've ever known and loved because you obviously have a big chunk of plastic where your heart should be, but that is neither here nor there.

That is true. But i was comparing them just as disney movies not plot, director, or style. What i was trying to say but it came out as "Lion King beats all in everything!" which was not what i meant. It was meant to come out as I found Lion King more enjoyible. But as far as art direction Wall-E wins hands down over any Disney movie. To compare movies i would say ........well i am not sure what in the disney archieves to compare it too. *breathes* now that thats out of the way......the real point i was trying to make is I prefer disney 2d over 3d seeing as Lion king is my favorite disney movie in 2d and period. But Toy Story is my second favorite disney movie and its 3d. So wow whole lot of nothing that i just typed. XD So you don't like enchanted big whoop you stated your oppion. I wasn't a huge fan hence the Enchanted was ok. Wow i am either tired or hyper i posted way to long on that subject.

[Radical Dreamer]

I adore the fact that Disney seems to be gravitating back to 2D animation. Now if they would just cut the comedy routine and get some more serious stories out there. XD

Also, Animation Rant On:

For me, it's as much about the actual style as it is the storytelling and character development involved. The old 2D Disney films had wonderful stories, good characters, charming music, and -- get this -- they actually had VILLAINSzohmahgosh. Disney's more recent films (and Dreamworks and the rest excluding Pixar) have all been comedies, either parodying a style or just making bad jokes. I enjoyed Enchanted, but I think it should be one of few like it -- that is, I don't want Disney to suddenly put out a bunch of Shrek-like fairy-tale stories just because Enchanted did well. While I'll definitely be going to see this movie, I have a feeling it's going to be a comedy, and I'd really like for Disney to come up with some more original plot lines than "let's poke fun at old fairy-tales."

The reason why Pixar is excluded in the "wow you guys suck at making movies" list is because Pixar comes up with original, creative, genuinely funny (or NOT funny) movies that anyone can enjoy. The animation has an excellent quality to it as well, and while it doesn't always carry the same charm of 2D animation, it's still very well done and beautiful to look at. So yeah. I lost my train of thought but animation rant over. XD

EDIT: Also Jim Cummings is in this movie. THAT is going back to 2D animation. XD Yay!

[minakichan]

;_; could they make their comeback 2D movie NOT involve princesses though?

PANTS-WEARING GIRLS PLZ.

[Cognitive Gear]

Actually, as a side note, Meet the Robinsons was not a bad movie. It was not the greatest movie, and not on Pixar's level, but not bad, and vaguely original. It also had a rather fun villain, and while it was comedic, focused more on it's story and morals.

I certainly felt that it was a step in the right direction. It didn't quite get all the way there, but it was a step up.

[ChristianKitsune]

I'm excited to see them going back to 2D as well.... since we haven't seen one since HOME ON THE RANGE...ugh... that was like.... 4 years ago?

I have a feeling though that this movie won't be horrible. I think John Lasseter has a part in making it... and he usually provides excellent movies...since he's worked with Pixar.

The thing is 3D animated movies just seem cheap to me.
(With the expeption of PIXAR of course)

I can't exactly put my finger on why, but it's almost like it takes more skill to do 2D?

Also, why is it that all the 3D animated movies from all the studios have like SIMILAR storylines? We had "A Bugs Life" Dreamwork came out with "Antz" then we had "Finding Nemo." Dreamworks came out with "Shark Tale" then they came out with "Madegascar" and Disney came out with "The Wild!"

One studio came out with "Happy Feet" and Dreamworks came out with "Surfs Up!"

Theeen we have Wall-E this year, and Dreamworks has come out with "Space Chimps"

Where has the originality gone? Yes the story lines were pretty different, but still...

I'm excited to see a Princess movie...it really fits. Disney STARTED with Princess movies...it's only fitting that it's first theatrical 2D animated movie in I guess 5 years (since this is coming out in 2009) would be just that. A Princess Movie... AND since the guys involved were also involved with "The Little Mermaid" and "Alladin" I don't have serious doubts at all.

I kinda missed the musical movies to be honest with you guys...so I'm a bit excited to see them back... ._. All the Disney greats were musical movies...

[creed4]

I am glad, 2d is an art form that should not die

[the_wolfs_howl]

I'm very excited to see Disney returning to their roots (because even someone who likes 3D movies has to admit that The Wild stunk like a pile of camel dung). Pixar knows what they're doing when it comes to 3D; it's become obvious that Disney does not. I'm more than ready for another good Disney movie. Hopefully this Princess and the Frog thing will be it. And since Aladdin is my favorite of the older Disney movies...yeah. This will probably be good.

[AsianBlossom]

I have a feeling though that this movie won't be horrible. I think John Lasseter has a part in making it... and he usually provides excellent movies...since he's worked with Pixar.

Also, why is it that all the 3D animated movies from all the studios have like SIMILAR storylines? We had "A Bugs Life" Dreamwork came out with "Antz" then we had "Finding Nemo." Dreamworks came out with "Shark Tale" then they came out with "Madegascar" and Disney came out with "The Wild!"

One studio came out with "Happy Feet" and Dreamworks came out with "Surfs Up!"

Theeen we have Wall-E this year, and Dreamworks has come out with "Space Chimps"

If I can recall correctly, I think it was Lasseter who made the push for Disney to go back to traditional animation after he was put in charge of the animation department. He was like, "Guys, you just bought Pixar, and you're still doing 3D movies? That's our job! Please go back to 2D animation; we'll handle the 3D." (Note: he didn't exactly say this, but the core message is still here: we're Pixar, we're 3D; you're Disney, you're 2D). I'm just glad he made that decision (now I hope he makes the decision to translate and dub "Only Yesterday.")

And I'm glad my family's not the only people out there who have noticed this! My guess is it's all about competition. When Pixar does it, they come out on top, hands down. In the case of Madagascar vs. The Wild, I'd say Madagascar wins (and I haven't even seen The Wild...and I can't say I ever will either). But Madagascar had its funny moments...I'm curious as to what they're doing with the second movie. Buuuuut, back on topic now...hopefully...

You know, most anime is technically the traditional 2D artform that we all love, right? It's hand-drawn. I'm glad at least the Japanese were keeping the artform alive, and still are. The studios over here in America just sort of needed a wake-up, I guess.

If only the same would happen with Dreamworks...The Prince of Egypt was one of their best movies; I think it would be cool if they tried other stories from the Bible, and put as much effort into those as they did this one (since Joseph, King of Dreams was okay but not really as spectacular as the former).

But yeah, I'm happy Disney is being Disney once more...it's about time.

(And on a side note both Enchanted and Meet the Robinsons were good! Well, that's just my opinion, but still...)

[termyt]

I've never cared for 3-D animation, but most of that is due to animation quality. At the moment, 3-D animation is harder to do well. That is, you can make very good 2-D animation on a limited budget, however 3-D animation done cheaply is just plain painful to watch.

The real problem with Disney, however, isn't the animation, it's the stroies. They just aren't as engaging anymore. Back in the day (which I consider to have climaxed with Beauty and the Beast) the stories and characters were engaging regardless of your age. Cheap laughs work on children, but will bore many adults silly.

Silly comedy has its place, but if we could frame it in a real story worth watching, then you have a worth piece of modern story telling. I remember a few parents that eagerly awaited the next Disney release because it was the one time they could go to a movie their kids wanted to see that would not put them to sleep.

[beau99]

Disney, however, is a different story. To my knowledge, they haven't put out anything in 3D that's worth anyone's time.

Meet the Robinsons.

When Pixar does it, they come out on top, hands down. In the case of Madagascar vs. The Wild, I'd say Madagascar wins (and I haven't even seen The Wild...and I can't say I ever will either). But Madagascar had its funny moments...I'm curious as to what they're doing with the second movie. Buuuuut, back on topic now...hopefully...

I'm baffled why people keep trying to compare those two.

Not only are they not even remotely similar, but The Wild also wasn't made by Disney.

[ChristianKitsune]

Hokaaay...so.

I watched half of the 3rd Little Mermaid movie...and...

I'm FREAKING loving it! D: Omgosh for a sequel movie...it's actually WORTH my time...

AND

It has a Manatee. Yes.

[ST. Attidude]

But anyway, yeah--I've been sad to see so many studios turning to 3D animation --the 2D style just has a certain charm to it that 3D does not.

It's good to see that Disney is coming out with a 2D movie (I just hope it's not like the 2D cartoons on tv...)

I could'nt agree more with you, Sheenar.
(Although, the Emperor's New School can be funny....)

[Doubleshadow]

RD nails it on the head.

Disney has lost a lot of craftsmanship and artistic integrity in favor of money grubbing. They have been tossing out poor quality stories- poor writing, poor characters- and have completely forgotten to make them fun and entertaining. Essentially, trash; whether it be 2D or 3D. Perhaps they realize the novelty of 3D animation is not often to lure people into a shoddy production that has no heart and is clearly only after peoples wallets. The question is: Will a return to 2D be accompanied by improved story-telling or not?

[AsianBlossom]

I'm baffled why people keep trying to compare those two.

Not only are they not even remotely similar, but The Wild also wasn't made by Disney.

My understanding was that it's like "animal leaves zoo, others go after it." Maybe it's not the entire story, but the simplest plot of both just seems similar. I could be wrong, but that's just how I see it. But according to the Wikipedia article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wild), The Wild was in production for a very, very long time. So now, I really don't know exactly what to think on the whole matter. *shrugs* Oh well, back to the topic.

I'm hoping that Disney can somehow make a comeback with great stories to accompany its return to traditional animation, you know?