Why animation still appeals to adults
I’ve always watched animated movies and shows. I woke up every morning as a kid watching “Tom and Jerry,” “Ben 10” and “Teen Titans.” My brother and I would watch Disney movies every day. Some of my first movie theater memories include showings of “Finding Nemo,” “Cars” and “Ratatouille.”
What draws me, and other adults, to animation is that you can do anything. Animation is constantly pushing the boundaries of technology and storytelling.
Animated programs aren’t just for kids — with the success of “The Simpsons,” “King of the Hill,” “Family Guy” and “South Park,” studios have seen that adult animation can not only be fantastic, but marketable.
“The Simpsons” has thrived for 30 years, with a rotating cast of vivid and quirky characters. “Futurama” and “Rick and Morty” take place in the future and across dimensions. Since animated worlds don’t have the limits of reality, you can create whatever you want.
The stories are what really help animation take root. Even adults can appreciate the genius of the narrative in “Toy Story,” the 1995 Pixar film that proved computer-generated animation could work well. With advances in technology today, filmmakers can go even further. Now, from soaring through the skies in “How to Train Your Dragon,” to dancing through space in “WALL-E,” filmmakers can go even further and push for better stories.
The same can be said for stop-motion animation. Beyond the Rankin/Bass Christmas specials, many saw little possibilities with stop motion animation. That all changed with “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Tim Burton and Henry Selick proved that stop-motion not only could be used to tell memorable stories, but that it could create a gorgeous, engrossing world.
Although aimed at younger audiences, “Adventure Time,” and “Coco” in particular have used storytelling to succeed as well. Creators are writing shows about difficult topics to cover a variety of emotions.
The rise in the popularity and quality of animation is a sight to behold. As a lifelong fan, I’m excited to see what amazing and creative ideas come from animated stories in the future.
