My animation weekend brings ‘Lego’ on HBO, ‘Penguins’ at the theater

/ December 1, 2014

(From syracusenewtimes.com)

(From syracusenewtimes.com)

I experienced some animation domination this past weekend.

I caught “The Lego Movie” on HBO, and went to the theater to see “The Penguins of Madagascar” for my weekly Monday new movie blog review for the Syracuse New Times.

One of them I liked a lot. One of them I liked a little.

I did come away with the thought during both films that animation in our day and age is quite colorful and captivating to the eye. I have no qualms about being kid-less as I go through the lines and entering the theater to see these films.

I’m not going to give away any more than that. Go there and discover.

To read my review of the DreamWorks film “The Penguins of Madagascar” on the Syracuse New Times site, click the link below.

http://www.syracusenewtimes.com/penguins-madagascar-cute-thats/

Are you a fan of the current technology for animation? Do you feel like you need a child with you to see this genre of film? What is your favorite animated film, and why?

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51 thoughts on “My animation weekend brings ‘Lego’ on HBO, ‘Penguins’ at the theater”

  1. I am so glad you are the one who got to see the Penguins movie, also seeing Lego’s since wasn’t this one your wife, Karen, went to see, while you went to see another? As memory is not always to be counted on, don’t mind if I am wrong on this one, Mark!
    I love kids’ movies, always have, always will. I am grateful that many don’t have the necessary family member dying, but learned from a Child Psychologist, that children do tend to picture horrible thoughts and when the movie makes it something able to cope with, this makes children feel more empowered. I was sad that someone dies in “Big Hero 6” but also told my grandsons I cried as a child at “Bambi.” I feel the newer movies do make me feel happier, despite going against the grain on this comment. I loved “Toy Story,” and did cry at the third one, with the boy going off to college, Mark! My grandsons both hugged me while we watched that a few months back for the umpteenth time. I like “Monsters, Inc.” and “Finding Nemo,” but could go on and on. “Despicable Me” both one and two are good, too. Enjoy your animated cartoon movies and keep up the great reviews, too. They really help!

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    • You remember correctly, Robin. “Lego” was the one Karen and split into different theaters for. She was happy to watch it with me again.

      I think I will dive into the “Despicable Me” franchise. You are voting for it, I believe in your voice going along with Elisabeth’s now. Powerful persuasion, Robin.

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  2. I have to admit, Finding Nemo and Monsters, Inc., are two of my faves. I don’t have kids, so I don’t go to the theater only – mainly because it’s so noisy I miss half the lines aimed at the adults! But I could watch those two movies over and over. As for the “old school” movies (and because I’m unafraid to date myself), I saw the original Lady and the Tramp when I was five years old (1955), so I have a special place in my heart for that one. 😉

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  4. Don’t you find modern animation rather cold? When I tuck my 8-year old into bed, we watch an old Bugs Bunny cartoon. They’re so fluid and warm. The hues and far more pleasing. And they’re still funny. They didn’t age at all. I saw Mr. Peabody and Sherman. It made my eyes hurt.

    Isn’t that poster for Penguins a blatant ripoff of Blondie’s Parallel Lines album cover art? Has anyone brought this up?

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    • I am so old-school on a lot of things, including the fact that I still like to watch and throw around the word “cartoons,” Mark. But there’s something enticing about the explosiveness about the new tecnology, too. Apples and oranges. I like them both.

      Perhaps the poster is too close for comfort. It didn’t hit me right off the bat. I’ll go check. Is there an original thpught left? That’s one blog strain going around right now, if I am correct.

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  5. I “liked” the Lego movie. I loved parts of it. And I love animated movies, with or without kids. But preferably with kids because they are so wonderful to watch movies with. They get that “suspend your reality” for movies thing. I do like the new animation. But man I appreciate the handiwork of the old school animation.

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  6. Lego again! !! Noooooo.it was not that terrific ..i love those penguins. So will use the inner child excuse to see it when its here in australia ….prefer the planes etc one from pixar..when s nemo 2 coming.?

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  7. Personally, I like the “old school” animation better. Perhaps it’s because I have a greater appreciation the work that went into making it come to life. I don’t actually see many if any animated movies, but only because the story lines don’t interest me. However, recently, I was babysitting and saw the three Toy Story movies for the first time as well as Finding Nemo and Brother Bear. Oh, and Frozen. I was surprised that I actually didn’t mind any of them. I think because they all had well-known actors’ voices, it made them more special. 🙂

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  10. I love animated films. No, I don’t feel like I need a child to go to see an animated film, just a “childlike” spirit in me. Haha! I don’t go to see them very often because I don’t go to the movies very often, but I would like to go see the one you went to. My favorite is “Little Mermaid.” LOL! True! But that is only because I haven’t seen “Frozen.”

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    • When the movie I pick to review for the week does not interest my dear wife Karen, alone again, naturally, Nerdy. I’d say it’s 70-30 with and without at this point. It’s not a biggie in the day we live in as I look in the line and the theaters.

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  12. With or without my son around, we watch animated films, usually at home though. They have come so far! They are not just for kids anymore. Adults can find great enjoyment in them. I’ll pass on the musical ones though.

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  14. I’m not sure I ever liked animation Mark. I think I was born too old to really like animated films, but have always loved slapstick and pratfalls. That could be because I’m so good at those myself, so it’s fun to watch other people doing the same things I do. Now, if only I got paid for it. Can’t have everything though.

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  15. so you liked the Lego, too! Definitely too many Madagascar movies. Though I’ve yet to see one. I’m looking forward to seeing what they’ll do with the Peeps when that comes out. Could be good, but my bet is it being very very awful. Enjoyed Nut Job, though thinking in part because I went in with low expectations. So many of them have big build up that can never be lived up to. Hop was funny.

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    • ‘Hop’ had potential with Kelly Cuoco in it, LIz. I dig her from “The Big Bang Theory” with Jimmy Glabicky and Jim Parsons. Sop that was a leg up. ‘Nut Job’ I might watch on HBO for the name alone!

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  16. Some animated films are just tiresome – well I found Happy Feet to be so – but others I love. Have watched the Lego Movie several times and love it. Always enjoy watching Despicable Me too.

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  17. Good review Mark – very balanced. Sounds like Madagascar doesn’t do much for adults but works for kids. I wasn’t enamoured of the other Madagascar movies either- I’ve seen two. I did see how they would appeal to kids. Certain types of humor are like that. Kids enjoy the same jokes over and over – adults not so much.

    I haven’t seen the Lego movie but anyone I’ve talked to, big or small, has said good things about it. I doubt I’d go to the theater as I’d honestly feel odd going by myself. I will watch it when it comes to my little screen.

    Greta Post Mark. Thanks.

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  21. I don’t feel like I need a child. but I don’t like going alone. I really want to see “Big Hero 6” but I will just wait since nobody else wants to go .

    We saw Lego twice in the theater and I don’t know how many times at home now. The graphics alone were worth the price of two tickets 🙂

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