A place for those who "Trust the Fungus"

Well, we already have a thread devoted to films by Pixar, so I thought I would create one so that we could discuss the animation output of the other major film studio these days. (Perhaps a topic on Bluth Animation next?)

I've been a fan of DreamWorks since the beginning, although I cannot say that I appreciate their films as wholly or often as I do Pixar. It's funny that the studio started out more as a Disney rival with several excellent traditionally-animated films, but soon after dropped that angle in favor of CG-animation. They have proven to be capable, if not masterful, at both mediums.

However, my favorite films of theirs have not been CG; they have been traditionally-animated and, in one case, claymated. These films are:

The Prince of Egypt - An immensely powerful film. I cannot help but feel spiritual each time I watch it even despite my somewhat areligious mindset

The Road To El Dorado - A film inspired by those two comedic sidekicks that oh so often steal the show from the film's hero. In this adventure, they are the ones who journey to the New World, discovering the lost city of gold, El Dorado, and in turn question their relationship. Really good. Also features an intelligent horse that reminds me of Maximus from Tangled

Chicken Run - What else can you expect from the studio that brought us Wallace and Gromit than a fun, lighthearted adventure with talking animals?

Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas - The last traditionally-animated film from the studio. The story is barebones, but the art-style and character/creature design spectacular. Pretty good voicework as well

What are everyone else's thoughts on the studio's animation? Any favorites?

I thought The Road to El Dorado was more inspired by the "Road To" movies with Bing Crosby ad Bob Hope. Two wise cracking con men? Check. Having a wild adventure? Check. Often accompanied by a third partner who's a woman? Check. Also singing a few songs? Checkity-check.

I also enjoyed Price of Egypt a lot as well, even if it's star power was a bit jarring.

But my favorite DreamWorks films period? Well that's easy, Kung Fu Panda, and Kung Fu Panda 2. Great story, great characters, an amazing homage to martial arts and just Chinese culture in general, plus you got a lot of quiet and simply touching scenes to outweigh the action and comedy.

Besides those two movies, I often find myself liking their older work more than they're newer work to be honest.

Don't forget I worked on the game for Madagascar 3

I think I enjoy the game better than the film, actually.

I'm glad you brought up their 2D (or non-CG) films. I really like those; they're pretty charming. It's sad to see the decline of that animation style in recent years.

Saw Rise of the Guardians earlier. I hadn't heard much about it, but I liked the art direction and character design. My girlfriend and I liked it, though it was a pretty typical film. Seemed to borrow a lot from other properties. The villain reminded me of Loki from the Avengers while Santa's elves were much like the twinkie-henchman from Despicable Me.

I'd still recommend it for anyone with a girlfriend, kids or younger siblings.

I can't get much into the whole 3D cgi movie scene. Every Pixar movie I've seen other than Toy Story and Wreck it Ralph, I can't stand them. I don't hate Shrek, but I really don't like it and can live without knowing they exist. I don't like how in CGI movies they design the characters to look like the VA's. I don't like this because of the fact to me, big A-class stars are not Voice Actors, they are actors taking jobs away from real voice actors. I just really enjoy traditional 2D animation over cgi.

Anyone like Antz? Sure, it's basically a marriage of A Bug's Life and a Woody Allen movie but I like combinations like that. It always adds a bit of spice into a ordinary genre.