A look at Oscar's 'Best Animated Features'

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOTV) - With the 85th Academy Awards set to take place on Sunday, February 24, there is a category filled with movies perfect for the family, “Best Animated Feature.” Maranda talked with WOOD TV intern and entrainment blogger, Peter Chhum, to learn more about the nominated films and why they are great choices for a family movie night.

"Wreck-It-Ralph”
"Wreck-It-Ralph' delves into the world of video games similar to the way Toy Story dove into the world of toys. Viewers are introduced to a video game villain who is sick of being the bad guy and for a change, would like to be the hero. To do so, he travels through different video games to see if he can accomplish this goal. While he tries to clean up his act, he ends up creating an even bigger mess.

“Brave”
From the creators of Monsters, Inc. and Finding Nemo, they deliver to us their latest offering. Cinderella and Snow White may need to make room for a new princess and her name is, Merida. A young sassy independent girl who is great with a bow and arrow, she is off to carve her own path in life rather than following her family’s age-old traditions. While trying to create her distance, she ends up further accepting and loving the person hardest on her most, her mother.

"Frankenweenie”
From critically acclaimed director, Tim Burton, audiences are introduced to Victor. A social outcast, yet very talented scientist with a dog who loves him named, Sparky. After unexpectedly losing his dog, he decides to bring Sparky back to life in a Frankenstein like method. When other kids get wind of the experiment, they find out negative attempts can be quite monstrous. Filmed in all black and white, it’s a fun twist on a classic scary movie.

“Pirates! Band of Misfits”
Taking place in the 1800’s in London, silliness reins supreme in as we follow along the journey of a lowly Pirate Captain and his crew as they chase the coveted, “Pirate of the Year” award. While this colorful crew doesn’t make the best pirates, their antics throughout are entertaining enough. It has everything children would want in pirate movies with plenty of peg legs and eye patches. Filled with maritime jargon, once this nautical film gets started, it never slows down.

“ParaNorman”
In a film about fear and self-acceptance, we are introduced to a quiet preteen with unique skills. Norman posses the unique ability to see and converse with ghosts and is made the town social pariah. However, when the town is set under a curse by a witch, it is up to Norman to use his paranormal powers to save his city! Warning to moms, this one is the most alarming and definitely scary for young children.
    
Peter’s Oscar pick is "ParaNorman." In a film that pushes boundaries for a kid’s movie, at its core, it promotes universal themes that will resonate with people of all ages.

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