2002- Lilo and Stitch
Dr. Jumba Jookiba (David Odger Stiers) is on trial for creating an illegal genetic experiment named 626 (voiced by director Chris Sanders). He is bulletproof, fireproof, can see in the dark, think smarter than a supercomputer, and lift objects 3,000 times his own size. His only instinct is to destroy everything he touches! Because of this, the United Galactic Federation plans to send 626 to a desert asteroid and Jumba to a prison cell. 626, however, escapes, hijacks a police cruiser, and crash-lands on Earth. The Grand Councilwoman (Zoe Caldwell) has no choice but to send so-called Earth expert Pleakley (Kevin McDonald) and Jumba to Earth and retrieve 626. Back on Earth, on the island of Kauai, there live two sisters: 19-year-old Nani Pelekai (Tia Carrere) and 6-year-old Lilo Pelekai (Daveigh Chase). Both of their parents died in a car accident, so Nani is doing all she can to take care of Lilo and trying to get a job. When Lilo mistakes 626 for a dog and names him 'Stitch', the state of Hawaii gets turned upside-down.
Lilo and Stitch is easily the best animated Disney movie of the 2000s with a strong emotional story, great character animation, a rousing score from Alan Silvestri, and engaging and relatable characters. In fact, I often compare myself to Lilo Pelekai, and my sister to Nani.
2003- Finding Nemo
In the oceans of Australia, a clownfish named Marlin (Albert Brookes) has a son named Nemo. On his first day of school, Nemo touches a boat against his dad's orders and gets kidnapped by a scuba diver. Now Marlin, along with a forgetful regal tang named Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) have to search the whole ocean to find Nemo, while meeting characters like vegetarian sharks, a school of moonfish, hypnotic jellyfish, and hippy sea turtles. Meanwhile, Nemo gets dumped into a fish tank in a dentist's office with four captive fish named Bubbles, Bloat, Gurgle, and Deb, a sea star named Peach, a French cleaner shrimp named Jacques, and a feral Moorish idol fish named Gil (William DeFoe). Gil, who has tried to escape countless times, agrees to help Nemo escape back into the big blue before he becomes the pet of Darla, the dentist’s niece who kills every fish she gets.
Finding Nemo is Pixar’s best movie with amazing animation, a highly engaging story and characters, a great score from Thomas Newman, and tons of memorable quotes.
2004- The Incredibles
The Incredibles takes place in a world of superheroes and supervillains. After being saved, who didn’t want to be saved, by a superhero named Mr. Incredible, the man sues Mr. Incredible, and all superheroes are banned from Metroville, or live a normal life as a modern-day citizen. Fifteen years have passed, and Mr. Incredible (now known as Bob Parr) is married to the super-stretchy Elastgirl (now known as Helen Parr), who gave birth to three kids, each with different powers. When a new villain named Syndrome (who’s actually a rejected fanboy) plans to destroy the city with the Omnidroid, a special robot that only he can defeat, it’s up to Bob and his family to come out of hiding and save the world.
The Incredibles may be more mature and violent than previous Pixar films, but it’s still a fantastic movie with an imaginative and compelling story, great animation that aged like fine wine, engaging characters, an ‘incredible’ score from Michael Giaccino, and an accurate depiction on how married couples act.
2005- Corpse Bride
In Tim Burton's follow-up to The Nightmare before Christmas, Victor Van Dort (Johnny Depp) is betrothed to the lovely Victoria Everglot (Emily Watson). However, after practicing his vows in the forest, Victor accidentally marries a corpse named Emily (Helena Bonham Carter) and gets sent to the colorful Land of the Dead, inhabited by zombies, skeletons, and creepy-crawlies. However, Barkis Bittern, who killed Emily years ago, hears about Victor's sudden disappearance, and plans to marry Victoria against her will to inherit her money.
I’m aware that others would pick Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit over Corpse Bride, but I chose this movie for its simple and charming story, catchy songs from Danny Elfman, strong character animation, and a more threatening villain.
2006- Happy Feet
Every emperor penguin has a song. When they have the right song, they have the right mate. Mumble (voiced by Elijah Wood), however, has an awful singing voice. Instead, he can tap-dance. The elder emperor penguins find this a disgrace to penguin-kind, and they blame Mumble for the fish famine. Mumble gets banished from his colony, and the only friends he has are a group of 5 Hispanic Adele penguins (the leader voiced by the late Robin Williams) and the all-knowing rock-hopper penguin, Lovelace (also voiced by Robin Williams). Together, they go on an epic adventure to find out where the fish really went.
Even though the movie has a story that drags on longer than it should and mature religious undertones, Happy Feet more than makes up for it with animation that aged very well, a powerful score from John Powell, engaging and relatable characters, and top-notch voice acting.
I’m totally aware that other people would pick Over the Hedge, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Paprika, or even Cars for their favorite animated movie from 2006, but for me, Happy Feet is a metaphor for autism (which I have). Mumble is different from other penguins since he can’t sing well. Instead, he has a knack for tap-dancing that the other emperor penguins can’t stand. This can be viewed as a parable for stimming, which many autistic people, myself included, do a lot. If that isn’t bad enough, Mumble has trouble connecting with his dad Memphis! In fact, the only other emperors who accept Mumble for who he is are his mom Norma Jean and another penguin around Mumble’s age, Gloria. Luckily, since this is a family movie, everything turns out right in the end.
Along with all that, Mumble has a strong sense of moral justice: When Lovelace has his talisman (which is actually a six-pack) stuck to a heavy bell, Mumble dives head-first to rescue Lovelace, even though he doesn’t really like Mumble. To top it all off, there were hungry orcas in the water!
2007- Ratatouille
Ratatouille tells the story of a French rat named Remy (Patton Oswalt), who has a good sense of smell and a passion for cooking. He follows in the footsteps of the deceased but legendary Chef Gusteu, the greatest chef in Paris. When he finds himself underneath the restaurant of Gusteu's itself, Remy befriends a nincompoop named Alfredo Linguini. He has no idea how to cook, but Remy does. Remy teaches Linguini how to cook by hiding under his hat and literally pulling his hairs. However, the devious Chef Skinner becomes aware of Linguini's secret, and will do anything to expose Linguini's secret.
Ratatouille is as delectable as the food in the movie with an engaging story, outstanding animation, likable characters, and another tasty score from Michael Giacchino.
In Part 3, you’ll see movies featuring pandas, foxes, princesses, and wolves!
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