After the rather chaotic calendar of the last couple of years, the Academy Awards are back to their normal schedule meaning that it’s only a couple more weeks until the awards season is closed out with the most coveted prize of all – the Oscar. Last month we took a look at the Best Actor and Best Actress nominees so now, with the award ceremony only a couple more weeks away, let’s check out who made the final cut in the Best Picture categories. First up, Best Animated Picture…
Encanto
From the ability to heal people with food and moods that control the weather to super strength and incredible hearing, each member of the Madrigal family is bestowed with a magical gift meant to protect and serve the family and their community. Every family member that is, except for Mirabel. When the fate of the family’s magic is at risk, Mirabel sets out to save the magic and prove that she is just as special and exceptional as the rest of her family.
Do I love Encanto? Yes.
Is it a top tier Disney film? Yes.
Will it win the Best Animated Picture Oscar? Despite its lovable characters and infectious soundtrack, it does have some exceptionally strong competition, so its success at this years Oscars is not guaranteed.
Read my full review here
Flee
At the tender age of 11, Amin was forced to flee his home in Kabul finding refuge in Denmark as an unaccompanied minor. Twenty five years later, Amin has carved himself a successful academic career and is preparing to marry his long-term boyfriend. This big next step compels him to reveal the hidden secrets and trauma from his past to his future husband.
Regardless of whether Flee takes home the statue or not, it has still achieved an Academy Awards first with nominations not just in the Best Animated Picture category but also Best International Feature Film (Danish) and Best Documentary Film. Now that is not a mix of category nominations we would have thought would ever come together but Flee has obviously made it work. Now to wait for the big day…
Luca
Legend has it that the waters surrounding the picturesque seaside town of Portorosso are home to fearsome sea monsters. One such monster is curious preteen Luca who has a summer to remember when he meets the free spirited but lonely Alberto and discovers he takes on a human form when on dry land.
It should come as no surprise that Pixar’s vibrant and playful coming-of-age has scored yet another Best Animated Picture nomination for the animation giant. I mean is it really the Oscars if Pixar aren’t in the mix? But the real question is: will Luca give Pixar their twelfth – yes, twelfth – Best Animated Picture win?
Read my full review here.
Raya and the Last Dragon
Five hundred years ago, humans and dragons lived together in harmony but the peace was threatened by a sinister force known as the Druun, until the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now the Druun are back and a lone warrior named Raya sets out to find the last dragon and stop the Druun for good.
With a limited theatrical run due to restrictions imposed by the Covid pandemic and other, more eagerly anticipated films out around the same time, Disney’s 62nd feature film had a fairly muted release. Whether that will impact Raya and the Last Dragon‘s Oscar chances remains to be seen but, in my humble and very limited opinion, I’m not holding my breath for this one.
The Mitchells vs the Machines
A cross country family road trip is already fraught with tension as creative teen and aspiring film maker, Katie clashes with her outdoorsy, technophobic father but when a robot uprising threatens humanity, the dysfunctional Mitchell family must put their differences aside in order to beat the machines.
It seems as though Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have the Midas touch with another Best Animated Picture nomination under their belt. The mixed media aesthetic, strong storyline and kick ass protagonist makes The Mitchells vs the Machines a strong contender to take home the price.
Read my full review here.
And the Best Animated Picture Oscar goes to…
