Disney CEO Bob Chapek asserted that adults dislike animated films in the latter half of 2022. It was extremely alarming for the then-CEO to make such a statement considering that Disney has long been one of the top producers of animated movies. Contrary to Chapek’s assertion, animation has been employed for a lot more than only happy endings and fairytales.
Animation has been used by filmmakers to tell mature and adult stories since the 1980s. Animation has provided moviegoers with a number of excellent R-rated movies, even though they may not have the same lasting power as classics like The Lion King, Mulan, or Moana.
A Scanner Darkly Remains An Overlooked Animated Gem
2006
Filmmakers can express their creativity to the fullest using the animation format, both visually and in terms of plot. There’s a solid reason why a lot of excellent R-rated animated films deal with the concepts of reality and psychology. One of the most underappreciated psychological thrillers in recent memory is A Scanner Darkly (2006), which was directed by Richard Linklater.
A Scanner Darkly, starring Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Winona Ryder, and Woody Harrelson, is a film adaptation of the same-titled book by Phillip K. Dick. In the near future, a cop in the film develops a heroin addiction. A Scanner Darkly is a superb sci-fi movie that merits more recognition. It features fantastic performances and Linklater’s distinctive rotoscoped animation.
Akira Changed Japanese Animation
1988
Akira, a 1988 animated picture, has an impact unlike any other. Akira, which was adapted from a manga by Katsuhiro Otomo, became a cult favourite and altered the face of animation. For the film, which redefined science fiction and animation, Katsuhiro Otomo also served as director and writer.
The plot of Akira centres on Shtar Kaneda’s effort to aid his friend Tetsuo Shima, who develops strong telekinetic skills as a result of a motorcycle accident. Akira, a significant sci-fi and animated film, is also to blame for the rise in popularity of the cyberpunk subgenre, particularly in Japan. It’s been rumoured for years that a live-action Akira remake will be released by Hollywood, but it’s unlikely that it will surpass the revered original.
American Pop Amalgamates ’80s Hit Music With Rotoscoped Animation
1981
Many directors have used the animation process known as rotoscoping. The film seems more “realistic” than if it had been built entirely on a computer because to the animators’ use of live-action video to trace. American Pop, a rotoscoped animated movie from 1981, was one of the first truly amazing ones.
Ralph Bakshi’s picture American Pop was an attempt to alter the way juxtaposition functioned in movies. The animated film American Pop had some of the best songs of the decade on its prominent soundtrack and was a spirited, moving tale created by some very outstanding animators. American Pop has a distinctive visual aesthetic that still looks fantastic because to the combination of animation, vintage film, and water colouring. The movie received a R rating due to certain violent scenes and drinking and drug usage.
Anomalisa Showcases Charlie Kaufman’s Untouchable Emotional Storytelling
2015
Charlie Kaufman, a writer and director, is one of the most well-known moviemakers ever. The 101 greatest movie screenplays ever produced by the Writers Guild of America include three of the Oscar-winning author’s scripts from some of the best movies ever made. Even while Kaufman’s live-action work is all excellent, his 2015 entry into animation, Anomalisa, may be his greatest.
Anomalisa, a stop-motion animated film, is based on the audio play Francis Fregoli, which Kaufman published in 2005. Anomalisa, the first R-rated animated film nominated for an Academy Award, tells the compelling tale of a meek customer service representative whose life is drastically altered by his encounter with a mysterious stranger. Anomalisa is a masterwork with wonderful voice acting and exquisite animation.
Heavy Metal Is A Cult Hit Full Of Head Banging Tracks
1981
Music and animation frequently work well together. M any animated films include music as a key component of the story, although Disney’s animated musicals are frequently the first to come to mind. The 1981 animated film Heavy Metal included some of the most explicit content ever seen in an animated film, as well as a wide variety of heavy metal music.
Heavy Metal was a science-fiction animated anthology film produced by various animation studios, which was adapted from the same-named comics. Even though it only had a little amount of box office success, the movie has since attained iconic cult status. Its fantastic music, which includes acts like Black Sabbath and Blue yster Cult, is partly to blame for this.
Paprika Is A Mind-Bending Anime Feature From Studio Madhouse
2006
R-rated cartoon films frequently incorporate powerful psychological imagery. One of the many anime films that combines surrealistic graphics with creative content is Paprika.
The 2006 movie Paprika, based on the Yasutaka Tsutsui novel of the same name, was Satoshi Kon’s final work before his passing in 2010. Under the direction of Madhouse Studios, Paprika recounted the bizarre story of a psychologist who uses her abilities as a dream detective, Paprika, to look for terrorists. Paprika is a must-watch for everyone who like animation in general or anime in particular. It is endlessly inventive.
Perfect Blue Found Immense Critical Acclaim Worldwide
1997
Prior to the 2000s, huge success for Japanese animated films in the West was unusual. Typically, American viewers weren’t as drawn to the anime aesthetic. That wasn’t the case, though, with 1997’s Perfect Blue, which received high marks from critics in the US and influenced a lot of other directors.
The psychological animated thriller Perfect Blue, which was based on the Yoshikazu Takeuchi book Perfect Blue: Complete Metamorphosis, was a big success. It was helmed by Satoshi Kon and delivered a compelling tale about the risks associated with celebrity. In numerous of his movies, including Black Swan, director Darren Aronofsky pays homage to Perfect Blue.
Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust Wonderfully Adapts The Dark Fantasy Horror Novels
2000
Other nations haven’t hesitated to produce R-rated animation, whereas American animation firms have typically shied away. Japan is one of the countries that produces the most R-rated animation. The nation has produced a number of critically regarded R-rated anime films throughout the years, notably Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust.
Based on the third instalment of author Hideyuki Kikuchi’s Vampire Hunter D series, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust was produced by the animation studio Madhouse and released in 2000. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, written and directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri (who also created the visually stunning Wicked City), is a fantastic blend of horror and action. The movie also employs the distinctive style of Madhouse.
Waking Life Was Another Superb Addition To Richard Linklater’s Animated Features
2001
Few filmmakers have as extensive a filmography as Richard Linklater. Linklater has established himself in a wide range of genres and styles, from realistic romance movies to musical comedy and psychological animation. Throughout his career, Linklater has produced a number of rotoscoped animated movies, each of which stands alone as a masterpiece. Waking Life was his first effort into the world of animation.
Waking Life, an experimental and philosophical film that was released in 2001, uses rotoscoped animation to explore a variety of themes. Waking Life received favourable reviews from reviewers but did poorly at the box office in 2001. Despite the dismal financial outcomes, Waking Life is a flawless examination of awareness, truth, and free will.
Waltz With Bashir Was An Emotional Academy Award-Nominated Tale
2008
Animation films rarely receive more attention in Western award ceremonies. Many movies that ought to have been in the Best Picture discussion have been pigeonholed by the Oscars and Golden Globes’ exclusive category for best animation. The 2008 animated film Waltz with Bashir was one of the few to defy that norm.
Director Ari Folman interviews veterans of the 1982 invasion of Lebanon in the animated documentary drama film in an effort to recall his personal involvement in the fight. Waltz with Bashir was a critical darling when it was first released. The story was told using innovative animation and captivating interviews. At the 2008 Oscars, it received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Feature.
