2022 will have been rich in emotions, both for young and old! Because, let’s face it, animated and children’s films aren’t just the delight of toddlers… So, let’s rewind this year and browse together the best animated productions, from the return of the Minions to the space exploration of Buzz Lightyear.
Buzz Lightning – Pixar (Angus MacLane)
First major spin-off project for the saga Toy Storythe film Buzz Lightning immerses us in the film from which the eponymous character comes. A project that, at first glance, may seem perilous, but this Pixar return to science fiction skillfully negotiates this sharp turn. Stranded on an unknown planet, Buzz and his crew search for a way to repair their device, while discovering the mysteries of this new world. If the film may seem less spectacular than expected on several points, in particular the space part far too absent for a film revolving around SPACE rangers, the whole remains entertaining thanks to the intense action and an overall rhythm very correct. All magnified by the sumptuous animation of Pixar which reminds us once again of their undeniable talent. If this film should reassure us about the forthcoming announcement of a spin-off of the same genre for the character of Woody, it’s mission accomplished.
Minions 2 – Illumination (Kyle alda)
Phenomenon of this summer 2022, Minions are back with a second opus titled Once upon a time Gruwith the aim of telling the childhood of the diabolical Gru de Me, Despicable Me. Despite the constraints and other delays imposed by the pandemic, Illumination Studio once again delivers a devilishly entertaining film with unbridled humor that is sure to put a smile on all audiences. An hour and a half of pure delight both for the morale and for the eyes.
Learn more: The world of Minions, films, books, albums
The Bad Guys – DreamWorks (Pierre Perifel)
After the pleasant sequels that were Troll 2 and Baby Boss 2Dreamworks returns with a new entrusted project, for the first time since The Road to El Dorado, to a French director, Pierre Perifel. A gang sought after throughout the city, the bad guys decide to become model citizens in order to make amends with society, but that was without counting on the appearance of a new thug eager to dethrone the bad guys. Despite nice references that will please the most cinema-loving spectators, and a rhythm as correct as controlled, The Bad Guys remains wisely in what is usually done in the animation sector, namely an entertaining film, but without great ambitions. However, despite its lack of originality, it remains difficult to sulk its pleasure in front of the adventures of the gang. A simple but effective plot, carried by a Pierre Niney heavily invested in the role of Wolf. A project, certainly classic, but which has the merit of targeting a wider audience than children.
Valiant – Caramel Films (Laurent Zeitoun)
After their previous foray into animation with Ballerinathe French-Canadian studio Caramel Films transforms the essay once again with Valiant. Inspired by her father from an early age, Georgia Nolan dreams of becoming a firefighter, a job inaccessible to women in New York in the 1930s. Following the mysterious disappearance of the city’s firefighters, Georgia ventures into the role of firefighters she always dreamed of joining. Sumptuous, well constructed and dynamic, the film Valiant is a real success. Far from simple entertainment, the film has nothing to envy to Pixar productions, both in the quality of its animation and in the intelligence of its story. Georgia is an inspiring heroine that we enjoy following through her adventures. Accompanied by dubbing by Alice Pol, Vincent Cassel and Valerie Lemercier, Valiant has all the ingredients to encourage the studio to continue in animation.
On the other side of the sky – Studio 4°C (Yusuke Hirota)
Beneath the thick smoke from the city’s chimneys, through which no light passes, the young Lubbichi wishes to prove that his father was telling the truth and that, beyond the clouds, the stars shine. One Halloween night, he decides to go on an adventure. This film is like a permanent dream, the absolutely sumptuous animation of Studio 4°C immerses the spectator in a universe bordering on the dreamlike, between wonder and fascination. Lubbichi takes us on a journey embodying with precision and finesse a myriad of environmental concerns. Original and bewitching, On the other side of the sky is a delight, a pearl of animation which shines by its difference with the rest of the world production. A feature film that will remain in the memories of those who have tried it.
Red alert – Pixar (Domee Shi)
New production from Pixar Studios, Red alert is an original attempt to address the issue of change in the life of a young teenager. Meilin Lee, a confident young girl, finds herself torn between her desire for emancipation and her loyalty to her family. One day, the overload of emotion transforms her into a giant red panda, a novelty with which Meilin and her family will have to deal. Despite its more than decent animation, the body and behavioral changes seem to be the film’s only real audacity. A subject still little discussed, especially in animated films, the upheavals accompanying the onset of adolescence are here correctly treated and represented, starting with the more than explicit title of the film. However, the feeling of being in front of a less captivating version of Rebel is sometimes felt. However, the feature film has all the qualities that we can expect from a moving and well-constructed Pixar, Red alert will not be a date, but does not steal its success.
bubble – Wit Studio (Tetsuro Araki)
After several attempts in Japanese animation, Netflix endows its catalog with Wit Studio’s latest achievement, bubble. With the ambition to become the new Your Name in the register of fantasy romance, bubble is accompanied by big names in animation like Testuro Araki (attack on titan, Death Note), Takeshi Obata (artist of the manga Death Note) and Gen Urobuchi, to embark on a story based on romance and parkour. Hibiki and Uta, young parkour enthusiasts in Tokyo, discover that the city is invaded by curious bubbles. A relationship will thus be forged between them over the course of their quest to clarify this mystery. Although this feature film is at the top of the basket in terms of production and animation quality, the fact remains that the film, in its desire to emulate the fantastic dimension that made the success of Your Name, gets lost in its too many plot elements. The tangle of sub-scripts hampers the fluidity of the narrative and thus prevents the film from unfolding its story and developing its characters as smoothly as its spiritual competitor. Your Name. It remains despite everything a frank success accompanied by many qualities such as its music or its graphic cleanliness.
sonic 2 – Paramount Pictures (Jeff Fowler)
After a first part far from the fears that one could have of an adaptation of the Sega mascot, sonic 2 returns at full speed barely two years after his first adventures. This time, the hedgehog is struggling with Knuckles, while his friend Tails comes to lend him a hand in his fight against Robotnick. While the first had for him to offer a touching and emotionally charged story at many times, the second part seems to no longer have inspiration and turns to the usual stereotypes of the blockbuster with an overload of action without great audacity. Other than that, the film remains enjoyable and entertaining, which was obviously its sole purpose. It meets the Hollywood specifications and is part of this long line of films that are simply correct, in front of which we have a good time that we will forget the next day.
The Wandering Walls – Studio Colorido (Hiroyasu Ishida)
Another Japanese animation project broadcast on Netflix, The Wandering Walls, second feature film by Hiroyasu Ishida, tells us the adventures of two middle school students transported to a place surrounded by the ocean, inside a large building about to be demolished. Beyond the undeniable quality of the animation from the Colorido studio, the film is hampered by an overload of ambitions. Too many characters, too long, too busy, The Wandering Walls fails to hook the viewer during these two hours. However, it manages to support a relevant plot that is rich (perhaps too much) in meaning. Imperfect but intriguing, the film remains very well made, especially for those who know how to immerse themselves in this universe and these characters as interesting as they are sometimes painful.
Icarus – Rezo productions (Carlo Vogele)
With his first feature film directed alone, animator Carlo Vogele plunges into Greek mythology, with a daring reinterpretation of the myth of Icarus. Visually very close to what we could see at Michael Ocelot with Azure and Asmar, the film is most sumptuous and technically flawless. Unfolding over an hour and twenty minutes, the plot takes the time to address all the elements of this well-known myth to better rework them in order to offer us an innovative and unprecedented story. Well constructed and perfectly paced, Icarus will appeal to children looking for adventure, as well as adults wishing to immerse themselves in an intelligently reinterpreted myth.
All on stage 2 – Enlightenment (Garth Jennings)
Back in the spotlight after an excellent first part, All on Stage 2 comes back with fewer ambitions, but lots of good ideas. After the adventures and the success found by the theater of Buster Moon, the latter and the whole troupe of singers are now trying to integrate rock star Clay Calloway into their show. Although it is difficult to match the surprising quality of the first opusAll in scene 2 manages to remain as grandiose as its elder. Between musical references in abundance, spectacular staging and a gallery of endearing characters, although a little too numerous, the show is perfectly assured. Despite more muted emotional stakes this time around, director Garth Jennings delivers a successful project that will appeal to audiences who enjoyed the merry troupe’s previous show in 2016, if not more.
Krypto and the Super Animals – Warner Animation (Jared Stern)
While the project seemed flawed on paper, Krypto and the Super Animals manages to be something more than an unpretentious animated film. The Justice League is captured by Lex Luthor, believing himself invincible, the super villain forgets about Superman’s dog Crypto, who decides to assemble a team of super-animals as brave as they are clumsy, in order to rescue the captive heroes. The film, written and directed by Jared Stern, exudes love and knowledge for the DC Comics stable through an avalanche of subtle references to the cinematic universe initiated by man of steel. All in a frantic pace sprinkled with action and superheroic stakes, thanks to which Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart (in the original version) passionately respond to each other. Despite a few tirades that are a bit too long and a fairly agreed conclusion, Krypto and the Super Animals will appeal to both anime fans and DC fans alike.
The top of the best animated films of 2022 – L’Éclaireur Fnac