Posted in Hipsqueak blog by Web Behrens on Dec 28, 2012 at 11:00am
Our list ranges from Pondicherry to Paris to Panem. Which movie will top them all? Let the countdown begin!
Top 10 Films of 2012 | Photos
10. A Cat in Paris. OK, we'll admit it: Including this thoroughly awesome French film is a bit of a cheat, since it was technically released in 2011 (when it played at the Chicago International Children's Film Festival). But this animated Hitchcock thriller for kids didn't get wider attention and distribution until this year, after it was as surprise Oscar nominee in January. (It ended up making multiple runs at the Siskel Center.) Since we so love this story—about a feline with a double life—and its visual style, we're slipping it into our 2012 list. Do yourself a favor and find the DVD.
Photo: Courtesy Chicago International Children's Film Festival018.gr.tock.top10films.ACatinParis.jpg2242961
9. The Secret World of Arrietty. Inspired by the 1952 children’s novel The Borrowers, this imaginative Japanese film comes from Studio Ghibli, the Tokyo idea house; the screenplay is written by none other than Oscar-winner Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke). Although the leisurely pace and lack of continual dire action might bore middle-schoolers, this hand-drawn, rated-G feature makes a perfect treat for younger kids.
Photo: Studio Ghibli018.gr.tock.top10films.SecretWorldofArrietty.jpg2243162
8. The Rise of the Guardians. Drawn from the imaginative book series by Oscar-winning artist William Joyce, The Rise of the Guardians assembles a sort of Justice League, holiday style: What if Santa Claus, the Sandman, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny all know each other and band together to defeat threats to childhood? While the film met a strangely tepid reception at the box office, we loved the premise and the gorgeous animation from Dreamworks.
7. The Avengers. It's not our favorite superhero by any means, but it easily rose to the top of its genre this summer. (For families, The Dark Knight was too, well, dark. And the rote Spider-Man reboot, too disappointing.) But this funny, suspenseful and action-packed Joss Whedon film delivers the superhero goods, even if the heroes spent too much time fighting among themselves.
6. The Hunger Games. The first blockbuster box-office hit of 2012, this adaptation of the YA-lit phenomenon—about a dystopian future where kids are forced to kill each other for the televised viewing pleasure of an elite class—does not disappoint. Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins collaborated with director Gary Ross on the screenplay, which wisely drives home the consequences of the violence. Furthermore, the film also never succumbs to the temptation to make its protagonist, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence), a sex symbol—or even to make her a warmer, friendlier hero. (Still, we agree with our TOC colleague A.A. Dowd, who opined, "Katniss’s unwavering moral code is never challenged, because her most sympathetic rivals are dispatched by her most villainous ones.") Expect the first sequel in November 2013.
5. Wreck-It Ralph. The arcade-inspiredRalph follows the misadventures of the eponymous villain of a fictional 8-bit video game, very much in the Donkey Kong mold. A Disney CGI film, it features top-notch talent, including producer (and Pixar cofounder) John Lasseter and director Rich “Monorail!” Moore, a Simpsons veteran. We thought the film mixed just the perfect amounts of zany humor, crazy visuals and heartfelt moments. But don't take our word for it—here's what our nine-year-old gaming expert said: "I thought it was going to be good, but I didn't think it would be ten-stars amazing."
Photo: Courtesy of Disney018.gr.tock.top10films.WreckItRalph.jpg2243216
4. Moonrise Kingdom. Writer-director Wes Anderson (The Fantastic Mr. Fox) creates the kind of quirky characters, comical dialogue and plot twists that appeal to young audiences. And while kids will enjoy the sense of freedom and adventure in this period piece—about two junior-high kids, stricken with love at first sight, who run away together—the film's more mature elements (including unexpected bloodshed and infidelity) mean you should take its PG-13 rating seriously. Still, themes of bullying, boredom and alienation will strike a chord with anyone who survived middle school.
3. The Pirates! Band of Misfits. 2012 was a banner year for stop-motion animation, thanks mostly to two studios: Aardman, the geniuses behind Wallace and Gromit, and Laika (see #2 on the list). (We also got Frankenweenie, which looked amazing but felt padded and predicatable.) Aardman diverted from their famous man-and-dog duo to tell this story of comical pirates, but the delightful results couldn't be any more Aardman: bumbling "hero"; patient and forgiving right-hand man; silent animal foe (this time around, Mr. Bobo the chimp). Given that Gideon Defoe’s screenplay adapts his own quirky book series, we raise a yo-ho-toast to hopes for a sequel. We’ll set sail with these scalawags any day—especially if they bring Mr. Bobo.
2. ParaNorman. This grippingly fun feature tackles two of 2012's most "in" subjects: zombies and bullying. The sophomore effort from Laika (the studio that gave us 2009's Coraline), ParaNorman is another macabre tale; this time, the moody stop-motion concerns an outsider with a sixth-sense gift who must save his town from a witch's curse. Dense with verbal and visual humor—and, you know, zombies—the madcap movie builds to a surprisingly emotional climax, one that advocates for letting go of grudges and forgiving life’s tormentors.
1. Life of Pi. A tragic shipwreck, an orphaned teen, a hungry tiger and a lonely lifeboat. There's so much more to Life of Pi than that, but if one had to break it down this deeply spiritual drama to its bare minimum, that's the crux of the story. Director Ang Lee’s new PG-rated saga, with its blend of breathtaking cinematography and stunning digital creations, harnesses all the magic of cinema to wash its viewers away in a story full of tragedy and joy, despair and grace. We don't recommend it for little kids—Richard Parker the tiger is no friendly, anthropomorphized beast—and we realize existential drama is not for every 10-year-old. Still, this gem is great brain food for parents and kids to chew on together.
And it's worth noting: While this list, naturally, focuses on films that families can enjoy together, Life of Pi is not simply crowning the top of a qualified list. It's the best film of the year, period.
10. A Cat in Paris. OK, we'll admit it: Including this thoroughly awesome French film is a bit of a cheat, since it was technically released in 2011 (when it played at the Chicago International Children's Film Festival). But this animated Hitchcock thriller for kids didn't get wider attention and distribution until this year, after it was as surprise Oscar nominee in January. (It ended up making multiple runs at the Siskel Center.) Since we so love this story—about a feline with a double life—and its visual style, we're slipping it into our 2012 list. Do yourself a favor and find the DVD.
