Animation: 389

The animated martial arts comedy film, Kung Fu Panda (2008), was created by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Paramount Pictures. In Ancient China’s Valley of Peace, Po Ping, a giant panda, helps his father at their noodle restaurant. His ultimate dream is to fight alongside the Furious Five – Tigress, Monkey, Crane, Viper, and Mantis – who reside at the Jade Palace and are trained by Master Shifu, a grumpy red panda. One day, Master Oogway (the wise tortoise who founded kung fu) predicts that Tai Lung (Shifu’s former protégé who is now imprisoned) will escape and attack the Valley in search of the Dragon Scroll – an artifact that ...

Scooby-Doo and the Samurai Sword (2008) is an animated film that follows the beloved mystery-solving gang as they travel to Tokyo. At a museum of ancient history, Mr. Takagawa and Kenji witness the resurrection of the evil Black Samurai, an ancient warrior whose armor was meant to be displayed in the museum’s newest exhibit. When Daphne receives an invitation to compete in a martial arts tournament at Miss Mirimoto’s prestigious academy, the gang joins her on their adventure. While there, they meet Daphne’s friend Miyumi, who explains the challenges of winning the tournament and being accepted into the school. During her battles, Daphne impresses ...

Scooby-Doo and The Goblin King (2008) is a direct-to-DVD animated film that falls within the popular series of Scooby-Doo direct-to-video productions from Warner Bros. Animation (though it does feature a Hanna-Barbera logo at the end). The plot centers on the Mystery, Inc. gang who attend the annual Coolsville Halloween carnival. However, their evening takes an unexpected turn when they encounter ‘The Amazing Krudsky’, a resident magician who refuses to let Scooby see his show after an unfortunate incident. Angered, Shaggy and Scooby expose Krudsky as a fake during one of his performances, causing him to seek revenge on them. As they are kicked ...

Horton Hears a Who! (2008) is an American animated children’s film based on the 1954 book of the same name by Dr. Seuss. In the Jungle of Nool on May 15th, Horton, the eccentric nature teacher, discovers a faint cry coming from a floating dust speck. Curious, he pursues it and places it atop a pink clover. Much to his surprise, he learns that the speck is home to Whoville and its inhabitants, led by Mayor Ned McDodd. His family includes his wife Sally and 96 daughters with names all beginning with ‘H’, along with one son, JoJo. Despite being next in line for mayor, JoJo is reluctant to accept the role ...

Presto (2008) is an American computer-animated short film by Pixar that played in theaters prior to their feature-length film WALL-E. The film centers around Presto DiGiotagione, a vaudeville-era magician known for his hat trick involving his rabbit Alec Azam. However, in this particular performance, Alec finds himself locked in a cage and unable to reach his carrot. When Presto returns from eating, he attempts to practice his act with Alec using their magically connected hats – one of which is kept backstage with the rabbit. But as the show begins and Presto rushes onstage, Alec refuses to cooperate until he receives his carrot. This leads to multiple ...

BURN-E (2008), an American short film produced by Pixar Animation Studios, is included with the DVD and Blu-ray of WALL-E. As WALL-E journeys through space with EVE on a ship heading to the Axiom starliner, he dislodges a small rock while passing through the Rings of Saturn. The rock gains enough momentum to become a meteor and collides with one of the Axiom’s running lights (known as ‘spires’), causing it to break. AUTO, the ship’s computer, alerts autopilot SUPPLY-R to fix the damage. BURN-E is then activated and equipped with a welding torch and an intact spire to complete the repair on the hull track. However, he becomes distracted ...

The film WALL-E (2008) is an American animated science fiction romance produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures. Set in the 29th century, Earth has become a wasteland due to an ecocide caused by rampant consumerism, corporate greed, and environmental neglect. Humanity was evacuated to space by the megacorporation Buy n Large (BnL) 700 years ago, leaving only trash compacting robots to clean up the planet. However, this cleanup effort has failed and only one active robot remains – Waste Allocation Load Lifter: Earth Class (WALL·E). He survives by salvaging parts from other inactive robots and lives with his pet cockroach in a large truck ...

Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II (2008) is the continuation of the acclaimed Robot Chicken Star Wars episode from Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim block. Similar to its predecessor, it was also recognized with an Annie Award and has since been released on DVD separately from any season box sets. The DVD includes both the original broadcast version and an extended version with 15 minutes of extra footage not shown on TV. This outstanding animated program was even nominated for a 2009 Primetime Emmy Award. Amidst the Ewoks’ jubilation over the destruction of the second Death Star, Boba Fett suddenly emerges from ...

South Park: Imaginationland (2008) marks the tenth episode of South Park’s eleventh season and the 163rd overall episode. This installment follows Cartman as he leads his friends through a forest, searching for a leprechaun. Kyle, who is doubtful of their success, makes a risky bet with Cartman. If the elusive creature is found, Kyle will have to fulfill an unusual request from Cartman. But if they fail to locate the leprechaun, Cartman will owe Kyle money. Surprisingly, they do come across the little green creature and promptly give chase until they finally capture it in a trap. The leprechaun reveals that he was sent to warn them about an impending ...

An American direct-to-video adult animated film, Futurama: Bender’s Game (2008), is the third installment in the show’s fifth season. Against Professor Farnsworth’s wishes, Leela takes control of the Planet Express Ship to compete in a demolition derby after being provoked by rednecks. Meanwhile, Bender comes across Cubert and Dwight playing Dungeons & Dragons, but being a robot, he lacks the ability to join in on their imaginative game. However, he manages to imagine himself as ‘Titanius Anglesmith’, a medieval knight from Cornwood, and becomes fully immersed in the fantasy world. His actions lead him to being admitted into the Hal ...

An American animated film called Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs (2008) was released direct-to-video. Based on the popular animated series of the same name, it is the second installment of four straight-to-DVD films that make up season five. A month after a tear in the universe causes chaos, life goes on for the characters. Amy and Kif tie the knot, while Fry begins dating Colleen. However, their relationship doesn’t last long when Fry discovers she has other boyfriends. At a conference, Professor Farnsworth suggests an expedition to investigate the anomaly. During this expedition, Bender’s touch triggers a shock wave that sends him and the ship ...

Coraline (2008) is an American dark fantasy horror film, animated using stop-motion and directed by Henry Selick. It is based on the novella of the same name by Neil Gaiman. The story follows a young girl named Coraline Jones as she moves from Pontiac, Michigan to the Pink Palace apartments in Ashland, Oregon. Her parents, Charlie and Mel, work from home and are often preoccupied with their urgent tasks. Along the way, Coraline encounters a black cat and Wyborne ‘Wybie’ Lovat, the grandson of her landlady. Wybie gives Coraline a ragdoll that looks just like her. This doll leads her to a small door with a ...

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008) is a comedic animated film from DreamWorks Animation SKG and PDI/DreamWorks, distributed by Paramount Pictures. In Kenya, Zuba, the alpha lion, attempts to teach his son Alakay how to fight, but Alakay’s true passion lies in dancing. However, rival lion Makunga challenges Zuba for his title. During their confrontation, poachers capture Alakay and place him in a crate. Zuba pursues them but is injured by a gunshot to the ear. The crate eventually finds its way to New York City where the young lion is renamed Alex and grows up at the Central Park Zoo. Here he meets his lifelong friends: Marty, Melman, and Gloria. After their ...

Bolt (2008) is an American animated action adventure film, produced and released by Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pictures. The main character, a White Swiss Shepherd puppy named Bolt, is adopted by a 7-year-old girl named Penny. They soon become the stars of a successful TV show bearing Bolt’s name, where they use his superpowers to fight crime and defeat the evil Dr. Calico who has taken Penny’s father hostage. To ensure a convincing performance from Bolt, the director designs the filming process so that Bolt believes everything happening on set is real, including his powers like invincibility, strength, and a powerful bark. As a result, Bolt can ...

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) hit theaters as an animated sci-fi film. Produced by Lucasfilm Ltd. and Lucasfilm Animation, it was a departure from the usual distributor 20th Century Fox for the franchise. Amidst the ongoing Clone Wars, the Galactic Republic finds themselves stranded in the Outer Rim, with the Separatists gaining control of key hyperspace lanes. On Christophsis, Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker leads his forces against Count Dooku’s army alongside his teacher Obi-Wan Kenobi and clone captain Rex. Despite their valiant efforts, the clones are no match for the enemy. Enter young Jedi Ahsoka Tano, sent by Grand Master Yoda to train under ...

Superman: Doomsday (2007), an American adult animated superhero film based on the DC Comics story The Death of Superman, follows the tragic death and triumphant return of the iconic superhero. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, it marks the first installment of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies. The movie received mixed reviews for its intense animation and more graphic approach compared to previous adaptations, but ultimately left some critics unsatisfied. While in a romantic relationship with Lois Lane, Superman struggles with her dissatisfaction over his keeping his true identity a secret from her. During a construction project at LexCorp, ...

Beowulf (2007) is an American animated fantasy action film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary. It is based on the Old English epic poem of the same name. In 507, the legendary Geatish warrior Beowulf embarks on a journey to Denmark with his soldiers, including his closest companion Wiglaf. King Hrothgar seeks Beowulf’s help in defeating Grendel, a deformed and powerful troll who has been terrorizing the kingdom and killing many of Hrothgar’s warriors during a feast at the mead ...

Chill Out, Scooby-Doo! (2007) is an comedy mystery film in the Scooby-Doo direct-to-video series, produced by Warner Bros. Animation. During a Himalayan climbing expedition in search of Shangri-La, Professor Jeffries and his Sherpa, Pemba, use an ancient tablet to reach a high point on the mountain. Pemba refuses to enter forbidden territory, as it belongs to the Abominable Snowman. Despite Pemba’s concerns for their safety, Jeffries cuts the rope and continues on alone. Left behind, Pemba spots a large creature nearby. Meanwhile, Fred, Daphne and Velma are vacationing in Paris. Daphne is disappointed when Fred pulls out his cell phone while Velma reads ...

Released by Walt Disney Pictures, Meet the Robinsons (2007) is an animated science-fiction comedy film. The story follows Lewis, a 12-year-old aspiring inventor who resides in an orphanage. His youthful exuberance, quirky personality, and faulty creations have discouraged potential adoptive parents. In order to find his birth mother who left him at the orphanage as a baby, Lewis constructs a memory-scanning machine. While en route to his school’s science fair with the machine, he encounters Wilbur Robinson, a mysterious 13-year-old claiming to be from the future. Wilbur explains that he needs help retrieving a stolen time machine from a man sporting a bowler ...

Originally known as Terra, Battle for Terra (2007) is an American animated film from 2007 that tells the story of a planet under threat. The peaceful and advanced inhabitants of Terra, a star system in the Milky Way galaxy, are faced with destruction when humans, displaced from their own planet, attempt to colonize it. Mala and her friend Senn belong to this alien race and live on the near Earth-like planet. When a large object blocks the sun, Mala’s curiosity leads her to go beyond the boundaries set by the ruling council and create a telescope. From outside the city walls, she uses it to investigate further. Soon after, reconnaissance ships emerge ...