Tag Archives: Animation Film

Toy Story 5 (2026) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): It’s still going well even after three decades

In my review on Pixar animation film “Toy Story 4” (2019), I observed that this is pretty much like another goodbye after what was supposed to be the near-perfect ending of “Toy Story 3” (2010). That is the main reason … Continue reading

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Pilgrims (2025) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Why do they never return?

South Korean independent animation film “Pilgrims” presents a little science fiction tale which could do more in my trivial opinion. While it is fairly competent in technical aspects, the movie feels rather flat and colorless in terms of story and … Continue reading

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Swapped (2026) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Visually wonderful but ultimately flawed

Netflix animation film “Swapped”, which was released on this Friday, works whenever it pays attention to its wondrous fantasy background. Packed here and there with vivid and colorful details to notice, the film is certainly a nice eye candy for … Continue reading

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The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) ☆☆(2/4): Bland and uninspired as before

I felt depressed as phlegmatically observing how my mind was frequently turned off as watching animation film “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie”, the sequel to “The Mario Bros. Movie” (2023). I did try to focus on its barebone plot and … Continue reading

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Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) ☆☆☆(3/4): This plucky delivery girl 

Hayao Miyazaki’s 1989 animation film “Kiki’s Delivery Service”, which is being shown at selected theaters in South Korea, flies on a substantial amount of charm and beauty to be savored. Although it is relatively less engaging compared to Miyazaki’s more … Continue reading

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Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron (2024) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): Miyazaki’s long return

Documentary film “Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron” closely follows Miyazaki’s rather long process behind his recent Oscar-winning animation film “The Boy and the Heron” (2023). While I came to admire more of all those painstaking efforts behind that acclaimed comeback … Continue reading

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Hoppers (2026) ☆☆☆1/2(3.5/4): Save the glade

“Hoppers”, the latest animation feature film from Pixar Animation Studios, is more entertaining than I expected. When I watched its trailer several weeks ago, it looked like another typical animation film to watch and then forget, but the film turns … Continue reading

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Ne Zha 2 (2025) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): A spectacular but hollow sequel

Chinese animation film “Ne Zha 2”, the sequel to “Ne Zha” (2019), strives to be bigger, longer, and better, but it ends up only accomplishing its first two tasks to my dissatisfaction. Thanks to its much more production budget, it … Continue reading

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Ne Zha (2019) ☆☆1/2(2.5/4): The story of a demon boy

2019 Chinese animation film “Ne Zha” works best when it cheerfully bounces with a vibrant sense of fun and energy during its first half. I found its mischievous little demonic hero rather endearing even though he sometimes reminds me of … Continue reading

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Arco (2025) ☆☆☆(3/4): When a boy from the future meets a girl in the past

Animation feature film “Arco”, which was nominated for Best Animation Film Oscar in last month, is often quite engaging for its lovely cell animation style to remember. Although it is rather thin in terms of story and characters, this notable … Continue reading

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