Scarface (1983) (Movie Review)

 “In the Spring of 1980, the port at Mariel Harbor was opened, and Thousands set sail for the United States. They came in search for the American Dream. One of them found it on the sun-washed avenues of Miami … wealth, power and passion beyond his wildest dreams. He was Tony Montana. The world will remember him by a different name … Scarface. He loved the American Dream … with a vengeance”. Rarely can a remake surpass the high-marks of an original … let alone be more iconic, but in the case of the 1983 gangster classic “Scarface”, it really is the remake that stands in the spot-light of our pop culture. 

That’s not to put-down the 1932 picture “Scarface”, as that too is an equally effective classic of the genera, but without question … it’s actor Al Pacino and director Brian De Palma who will always be associated with the title first. Following the high-bar he set with the first two “Godfather” movies, producer Martin Bregman was ready to deliver another gripping crime epic to the genera, resulting in the now iconic remake of “Scarface”. While initially met with controversy and criticism upon its release for its excessive violence, profanity, and graphic drug usage … as well as getting completely snubbed at the Oscars … this film has never the less maintained its status as a staple of the Crime/ Thriller genera, and has sense been celebrated as a classic. Beyond that, it’s a unique experience that focuses on the journey of someone who isn’t good enough to be called a protagonist, nor wicked enough to be called a villain.  

  Tony Montana was an ex-convict fleeing from Cuba as an immigrant, and aimed to live a humble life upon his arrival in the US. However, life as a dishwasher quickly becomes tedious, as Tony believes he was meant to accomplish more. All around him, he sees the slogan “The World is Yours”, and thus, he begins expanded his reach, and taking what he wants. Eventually, he turns to a life of crime, dealing with drugs under the watchful eye of a local mobster, whom Tony doesn’t fully trust. Things get heated when Tony falls in love with the bosses Trophy Wife named Elvira, and gradually, he begins his personal goal of conquest, first by overthrowing his boss, getting the girl, controlling the trafficking of drugs, and inevitably climbing to the top of the gangster totem pole. As the saying goes … “What goes up, inevitably comes back down”, and in the case of Tony … it all eventually comes crashing down around him. Thanks to a tight screen-play by a young Oliver Stone, and a solid direction from Brian De Palma, this otherwise dark, and violent premise is elevated with a certain stamp of quality.            

  Beyond any shadow of a doubt, it’s Al Pacino’s performance that’s simply out of this world, and carries this film. It’s one of those larger-than-life character performances that I always associate with an actor, and he constantly keeps my eyes glued to the screen. I’m not even a fan of foul langue, and yet, Al Pacino’s delivery somehow distracts me from the onslaught of dirty remarks. As established in the synopsis, this movie is all about the growing arc of this single character, and more often than not, we go to movies cheering for the protagonist as they go on their journey. “Scarface” by contrast, has a unique approach, by drawing the viewer into the drama and struggles of a man who … in hindsight … we really shouldn’t be cheering for at all, and yet are still engaged by. 

Speaking personally, this was the movie experience in which I discovered the difference between villains and antagonists. While a villain can occasionally have a layered backstory, or even understandable motives, their always self-aware of what they are, how others view them, and they enjoy it. An antagonist by contrast may do horrible things, but they won’t be as one-note, as they can also show signs of sympathy, and they’ll always view themselves as either the hero or the victim of the story. While Tony certainly boasts about being a “bad guy”, he shows more than enough signs that he’s not a one-note villain either. There’s a pivotal moment when he’s assigned to blow-up a car with a spokes-man, who’ll be delivering an important presentation at the United Nations, and have devastating results on the mob’s drug deals. However, even though everything Tony has is riding on this mission, he refuses to go through with the bombing, as he’d also be killing a woman and two innocent children … and that’s something he refuses to have on his conscience. Moments like that are what give antagonists layers, and keep us invested in their story, even though we still can’t form any attachment to them like we would with a protagonist. For a quick example, if the equally classic 1990 crime/drama “Goodfellas” focused all its attention on Joe Pesci’s Tommy DeVito, as opposed to Ray Liotta’s Henry Hill, it would have been a completely different experience, yet arguably just as engaging in its own different way. 

  Brian De Palma also puts a great deal of attention and flair to the look and feel of the time, which becomes a character in of itself. 

Having said that, despite being set in real-world events, the film is largely fictionalized, and not meant to be taken too seriously. In fact, it opens with a bumper sating that it’s fiction, and meant to be overly theatrical … although, that didn’t stop some back-lash for the film’s depiction of people from Cuba. Putting that aside, even though the film is over-the-top with many of its fictionalized depictions and ultra-violence, it somehow still feels grounded in reality, which I think can be attributed to Oliver Stone’s screenplay. He tried to make all the unfolding events and characters feel either tangible or relatable in some form … in fact, he was even addicted to cocaine early in his life. Also, while Al Pacino may seem to dominate the spotlight in the leading role, the remaining cast shouldn’t be overlooked either. F. Murray Abraham is always a welcomed presence, and Robert Loggia is spot-on as Tony’s crooked boos Frank. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio likewise delivers an effectively sympathetic performance as Tony’s sister Gina. After being rejected by his mother, Tony views his sister Gina as the one good thing left in the world, and as such, he’s overly emotional and protective of her. It makes for another effective layer in Tony’s journey as an antagonist. His feelings for his sister stem from something pure, and loving, but they also bring about the worst in him ... with disasters results. 

  However, the other big screen presence to take notice of is the young Michelle Pfeiffer as Token Wife Elvira Montana. At the time, Michelle Pfeiffer was mostly unknown, and yet, she manages to leave an impression when acting alongside a talent like Pacino, who was still riding the success of the first two “Godfather” movies. As if that weren’t enough, the role of Elvira Montana required a lot from the actress, as the character is very selective with her words, yet speaks volumes with how she emotes, how she holds herself, and delivers her lines. Honestly, even though I’ve seen Michelle Pfeiffer’s talent range in several films, I think this might just be my favorite. It’s hard to explain, but she just shines in this film, looks great, and hits all the right beats her character needs. You can tell this is someone who wants to escape this horrible life she’s trapped in, and she see’s a potential decent man in Tony, but she’s far too conditioned as a trophy wife to call him out on his faults. My only problem is that her exit from the film feels extremely underwhelming, and even kind of random. After a heated argument at a restaurant, she storms out, and basically disappears all together. Honestly, I feel her character deserves more closure than that, especially considering how integral her presence was to Tony’s journey though the course of the film.     

   As we segue into the films third act, we discover that Toney’s nobility in sparing the one family’s life, is now going to have serious repercussions, as his fellow mobsters now feel betrayed, and are out for blood. To make matters worse, Toney’s overly protective feelings for his sister have finally gone overboard, and the results are tragic to say the least. 

Between being buried in both emotional grief, and a face full of cocaine, his enemies have picked a bad time to invade his mansion. Of course, Tony drops his classic line … “Say Hello to my Little Friend” … and just like that, movie history is made. Everything culminates into the now iconic staircase shoot-out sequence, which is often sighted as one of the greatest climaxes ever put to film. The sequence really isn’t even that long, and yet it still leaves a memorable impression on the viewers. Honestly, the impact of this sequence isn’t just about the action spectacle or the insane violence … no, the reason this shoot-out leaves an impact is for the raw emotion on display. Tony knows he’s not going to survive the night, and thus, he chooses to go out by unleashing all his built-up rage and anger on the invaders. He’s so emotionally charged that he manages to brush off a number of shots before finally falling to his death. The final shot of the statue, with the inscription “The World is Yours” is an absolutely perfect way of illustrating that his own single-minded ambitions are what led to his demise.  

  In the end, I wouldn’t place 1983’s “Scarface” among my personal favorite movies, but I do feel it deserves its status as a motion picture classic, and it’s absolutely one of the best of what the Crime, Mystery & Thriller genera have to offer. It’s also a unique experience to explore the complex tragedy of a rather antagonistic character, as opposed to a flawed hero. I often look back on “Scarface” as an example of a movie going against conventions, and still delivering an engaging story with a character that we really shouldn’t be rooting for … yet are still intrigued by. It’s difficult to explain, but there’s something about the journey of the character, combined with Al Pacino’s iconic performance that keeps the film engaging to watch, even on repeat viewings. If your someone who doesn’t care for dark character stories, with extremely violent content … like a guy getting executed by way of chainsaw … you might just want to skip this one altogether. Otherwise, I’d say the 1983 remake of “Scarface” is well worth seeing at least once, as it might just give you a unique perspective on leading characters that go against the norm.

Thanks for reading my review of the classic 1983 remake of “Scarface” … and continue to enjoy the movies you love.

 

My Top 30 Favorite Animated Movies

(Note: This post has been updated for 2023)

   From the compelling art of Japanese Anime’s, to the comedy of DreamWorks, to the nostalgia of Disney, the world of animation has taken on so many different forms over the years, and it’ll be really challenging, yet exciting for me to single out my top favorites. 

Truthfully, I could have made this a list of my top 100 favorite animated films, but I’ll just subtle with my personal top 30. My only two conditions are that I’m only including theatrical movies, and my favorite animated holiday themed movies are too large to condense, so I won’t be including my favorite holiday films along the lines of “The Nightmare Before Christmas”, or “The Polar Express”. Also, for a countdown of this size, I’ll keep the descriptions small and too the point, but I also want to clarify that these aren’t the only animated films I love, as there’s at least 30 others I wanted to include. This is just a countdown of the films that are at the top of my animated chart, and the ones that have meant the most to me as a viewer. So, with all that said … lets paint the screen with some color, and rank my personal top 30 favorite animated movies.

Before I begin my countdown, here are some quick honorable mentions …

"Pocahontas"

"Tales from Earthsea"

"Frozen"

"Titan A.E."

"Castle in the Sky"

"The Emperors's New Grove"

#30 “The Land Before Time” 

When a group of young dinosaurs are separated from their herd, they have to work together to trek across dangerous grounds and battle monstrous predators to find the land that time forgot. I've always looked at this film as "Bambi", but with Dinosaurs, so this ties into my childhood more than the former, as I've always had a nostalgic connection to Dinosaurs. Despite the cutesy designs of the characters, this remains a reasonably mature film, with intense moments, and some legitimate drama. The musical score always brings a tear to my eye, there’s a lot of exciting battles with the T-Rex, the animation is splendid, and the ending is one of the strongest, feel good moments from any kid’s film. Overall, "The Land Before Time" walks a perfect balance between its appeal to little kids, while also treating the audience at large with a mature and beautiful story.

#29 “Inside Out” 

You know that little voice in your head that always tells you what to do in any given situation … well, that’s an emotion, or more precisely one of five distinct emotions that live in your imagination, and have creative influence on how you live each day. That’s the premise of Disney and Pixar’s 2015 motion picture “Inside Out”. Jumping right to the point, this is one of the studio’s best movies, not just in recent years, but in general. It’s one of their greatest animated offerings … top 5 easy. It really has the makings of a classic, and has something to offer to younger audiences, older audiences, and especially the young at heart. Pixar had been turning out some sub-par material prior, but this was a very strong return to the high-quality films that they’ve done in the past. It was imaginative, colorful, innovative, touching, magical, and for lack of better words, a truly emotional experience that I look forward to seeing again, and again.

#28 “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” 

You couldn’t ask for a more wholesome and innocent family film than “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, as it’s such a timeless treasure that no family should be without. For many kids, it was one of the very first animated movies they ever saw, thus one of the most nostalgic movies ever made, and it set the standard for animated films for decades to come. With all the new developments in animated technology, this film still stands strong with its magical story and wonderful characters. The songs are charming, the characters are unforgettable and the storytelling is light as air, which makes this one of the most simplistic, yet magical experiences you could ask for and that’s good enough for me. Personally, it’s my favorite of all the films to come from Walt Disney himself.

#27 “Megamind” 

Superhero spoofs have been around for a while, but "Megamind" takes the formula to imaginative and hilarious new heights. It’s a story of what happens when the villain wins the day for once, and his journey to find something new to strive for. The character of Megamind is someone I’ve always been able to relate to, as I too have reached set goals in life, only to wonder where to go next. Well, as this film so colorfully puts it, you discover something new about yourself, build on those hidden strengths and make a big change. Boasting an ingeniously original premise about a super-villain turned hero, and a set-up that both spoofs and celebrates classic superhero clichés. It's all strung together with top notch animation, a brisk pace, funny jokes that never go over-board, and a rock’n good sound track. Best of all is that the characters are just as entertaining as they are sympathetic, most especially Will Ferrell who delivers a very energetic, and lively performance in the lead role of Megamind.

#26 “Patema Inverted” 

How does one describe “Patema Inverted” without sounding crazy? Well, I’ll start by saying that it’s arguably one of the trippy-est and most original movies I’ve ever experienced. The story revolves around a princess named Patema, who finds herself in a world where she's at odds with gravity, and her only hope is in the hands of a young boy. With her world literally turned upside down, the two get into several crazy situations, and aim to bridge their opposing societies together. It’s an ingenious concept that combines a wild upside-down world with a social allegory, and it’s just so creative with its unique setting. It’s all about seeing things from a different perspective, which is so creatively conveyed by our characters. Sense we have people walking on opposite sides of gravity, it allows the animators to get really creative with lots of cool angles, neat shots, and some visually arresting imagery. The characters are standard, but genuinely likable, and they share some really nice scenes. More than anything, “Patema Inverted” is a film that takes familiar story elements, but combines them with lots of imagination, making this a unique and extremely entertaining experience.

#25 “Hercules” 

Back when I was a little kid, “Hercules” was my favorite Disney movie that I’d watch all the time. It was a super-hero story, it had giant monsters, it had catchy music, it had an awesome villain, it had slapstick comedy, it had memorable characters, and stellar animation … it was just an awesome flick. As an adult, I still enjoy this film, and found other things to appreciate. The characters have depth and the message is genuinely wholesome. All the Greek references are fun, the colors are great, the lighting is stylish, and I especially love the look and design of the film, which was based on artist Gerald Scarfe's work. Every time I watch this film, I discover something new or notice something that represents a change in the story or in a character. In a nut shell, “Hercules” is a colorful and faced paced film that offers a lot of entertainment as well as some decent morals for young viewers.

#24 "Coraline"

Sense this film isn't directly set on Halloween, I feel I can include this without crossing my "no-holiday movies for this list policy". With that said, this film is still effectively creepy, twisted and dripping with a haunting other worldly atmosphere. When a little girl is tired of her boring life, she finds a door leading her to an alternate reality where everything is perfect and fun, but something dark and sinister is trying to lead her away, which leads into an exciting adventure involving Ghosts, monsters and talking cats. It’s spooky but very exciting, crazy yet imaginative, dark but not without some decent family morals. Animated movies are always more impressive when there stop-motion films like this, as I love looking at all the visuals knowing that there all real sets, props, and puppets that act and perform right in front of the camera. Great atmosphere, eye-pleasing visuals, imaginative storytelling, a top-notch vocal performance from Dakota Fanning, and so much more make this my personal favorite of the spooky themed animation film variety. 

#23 “Tangled” 

Count on Disney to take a well known fairytale, update it with their winning formula, inspired new characters, and create something familiar, yet very special all around. While "Tangled" wasn't the studio's first CG animated offering, I do feel it was the first to transition the magic of their classic films. Everything from the characters, to the songs, to the design, to the updates to the fairytale are all peak Disney, and it really brought things back to the spirit that I felt was missing through most of the previous decade. I distinctly remember watching this movie for the first time, and when it came to the song "I See the Light", with the design of the floating lanterns, I knew instantly, I was watching a new animated classic from Disney. It also features one of the sweetest couples of any Disney production in years, as well as my favorite horse character I've ever seen in a movie ... which Isn't something I ever imagined myself saying.  

#22 “Shrek 2” 

Hands down my favorite of the original "Shrek" movies, as the casting is perfect, the jokes are hilarious, and it’s the only film in which I find myself genuinely caring about the characters and their story. This time we also get some outstanding new supporting characters to join the fun, most notably Puss in Boots who completely steals the show. The animation is great, the story is sweet, romantic and best of all … this really is one of the funniest animated kids films I’ve ever seen. In fact, I think it’s worthy of being called a comedy classic. “Shrek 2” is simply one of the best sequels to a kid’s film ever, as it took the simple things I liked from the first, and gave me twenty things more.

#21 “An American Tail: Fievel Goes West” 

This is perhaps the only movie on my list to make it for purely nostalgic reasons. I absolutely adore this film, and trust me, I like the first "American Tail" movie too … however, that one’s more of an admiral dramatic piece, while “Fievel Goes West” is the embodiment of a past lifetime. This one literally rejuvenates a young kindred spirit within me, and takes me back to that time as a child that was wholesome and carefree. It’s what I like to call an oasis movie, where you take a break from your current life, have some fun in your joyful, nostalgic past, and then return to real life feeling refreshed. There’s just this wonderful charm that comes from the characters, the music, the animation, and the Wild West setting that makes this movie feel so rich and cheerful. It also features some really good voice actors including the always fantastic John Cleese as the villain, and the late great Jimmy Stewart as the old, down and out cowboy who just wants one last chance to be a hero. It’s hard to do this film justice, and it honestly isn't something I’d recommend to people who haven’t seen it, because it’s really just something special you have to grow up with.

#20 “Finding Nemo” (2003) 

It’s really hard not to like “Finding Nemo”, because it’s just so perfectly constructed, with an engaging story, unforgettable characters, an infectiously captivating ocean setting, and a wholesome moral that speaks to both children and adults alike. Through no fault of it's own, my only problem with this movie is that my sister and I watched it way too many times back when we were kids ... to the point where it's become hard to watch again. Regardless, this is still one of Pixar's absolute best, and still a classic all these years later. The colors and especially the details of this ocean setting are still captivating to this day, and even the hummer has aged well. This was also one of the first to have a really dramatic edge, but balanced out with all the right seeds of heart and fun. I don’t even need to comment further, if you’ve seen the movie already, then you know just how great it is. 

#19 “Aladdin” 

No Disney collection is complete without this gem from Disney’s second golden age. It's simply the equivalent of a classic Disney movie, and whenever I think of a popular Disney hero, Disney princess, comedic side character or Disney villain, these are the characters that always come to mind first. That doesn't mean there my absolute favorites, but they are the most nostalgic. It’s just an excellent cast of scene steeling characters that hold your attention through the entire film. The music is great, the animation is top notch, there's a subtle message about excepting one's self for who they are, the two lovers have great chemistry and it’s just one of the most thoroughly entertaining animated films ever made. Like I even need to say much more, you’ve all seen it, you know how good it is, and if you haven’t seen it, do yourself a favor and check it out … it’ll make you feel like a kid all over again.

#18 “The Secret of NIMH”

Yet another animated offering that features cute mice as the main cast, but unlike the previously mentioned “Fievel Goes West”, this one is much darker and every bit a movie for adults as it is for children. Don Bluth gained a reputation in the 80’s for maintaining the magic of Disney, while exploring heavy subjects and issues that Disney would never touch. “The Secret of NIMH” in many respects boasts the magic and atmosphere of a classic Disney movie, yet the content and themes are considerably more adult in tone. The hero isn't a stereo type, and instead is a frightened, middle-aged mother who has to brave her way through dangerous obstacles in an effort to save the life of her dying son. Personally, she's one of my favorite leading characters ever featured in an animated movie. The settings are dark and uninviting, which puts the audience in her place, making you feel the emotion and fear that she is, but her bravery is also felt, and helps the audience stick with her and face the danger. The result is a beautiful and complex story filled with magic, wonder, mature themes and a stunning score composed by the late Jerry Gold Smith.

#17 “Moana”

Disney’s 2016 animated movie “Moana” is yet another outstanding entry to their collective works, and personally, this is the Disney experience that has won me over to this new Golden age of CGI animation. After the death of traditional 2D animation, I was in denial that I could ever truly love another animated Disney film, and while "Tangled" was the first to win me over, it was “Moana” that helped me except that CGI Disney was here to stay. It entranced me with its mystical island setting, captivated me with its photo realistic effects, and won my heart with one of the companies most enduring princesses. It’s a film that stays true to the Disney formula, but it also adds new layers to it, along with a big splash of creative originality, and subsequently contains one of the studios greatest collections of song numbers in an animated offering.

#16 "Your Name"

Writer-Director Makoto Shinkai's has had quiet the filmography, and with the 2017 picture “Your Name”, he’s easily the next Hayao Miyazaki. We’re all familiar with the concept of body swapping films in the vain of “Freaky Friday” and so forth, but “Your Name” adds a very magical new ingredient to the formula. A Japanese boy and girl from opposite sides of the country find themselves randomly exchanging bodies, and while it’s not a permanent swap, they find themselves frequently switching back and forth without warning. It's a strange situation, which brings about a different, yet very special romance between the two. In short, it’s one of the most unique love stories I’ve ever experienced, and there’s an additional twist at the end which makes it all the more impactful. The emotional implications of the film are balanced out with some of the most stunning artistry I’ve ever seen in an animated picture. It’s because of movies like this that I love Japanese Anime, as they frequently tell stories, and share experiences that you just don’t get in common American movies. It’s just a beautiful masterpiece that interweaves themes of time, the thread of fate, and the hearts of two young souls in one deeply moving package.

#15 “The Road to El Dorado” 

With the joyfully banter between voice actors Kevin Kline and Kenneth Branagh, some beautifully colored animation, a nostalgic soundtrack provided by Elton John, plenty of comedy, lots of character charms and exciting adventure scenes allow “The Road to El Dorado” to stand as a very pleasant, (albeit undemanding) diversion, and I still love it. While this doesn’t offer much in terms of epic storytelling, or deep moral subtext, it’s just a pleasant escape, and it continues to bring me joy as an adult. It’s just one of those special films that can easily put me in a good mood, provide a great sense of fun, and sometimes, that’s all an animated movie really needs to be. Not too much else to say, I just really love the characters, artistry, music and just about everything that the film has to offer. It may not be solid gold, but I find it a rich experience in its own simple way.

#14 “Beauty and the Beast” 

This is what you call a near flawless film, because everything just works. The female lead is great, the villain is perfect, the supporting characters are excellent, the animation is stunning, and the music is unforgettable. It’s a classic fairy tale, with all the warmth and wonder you’d expect from a Disney fantasy, but it’s also laced with deep subject materials, like discovering the ugliness of one's life and finding the true beauty hidden deep within. I regrettably didn't grow up with this film the same way I did with other Disney classics, so it lacks the Nostalgic factor, but it hardly matters. However, it also speaks volumes for this films quality and context to win me over as an adult. In the end, this is still one of Disney’s defining classics, and well worth watching weather you’re a kid or an adult.  

#13 “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” 

It had been a hot-minuet sense we last had an adventure with Puss in Boots, and by extent sense we ventured into the "Shrek" franchise, and as such, the odds weren't initially in this films favor ... but low and behold, the righters, animators, imaginations, and the story-tellers really spent that decade crafting the best possible spin-off sequel they could make. I'm not kidding when I say every detail was done perfectly ... the action was brilliantly staged, and bursting with energy. The animation is beautifully stylized, yet still fits into this universe. More then anything, the excitement of the journey is complimented with meaningful morals regarding life, and how we spend our days ... and the two tones surprisingly work together so well. Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek have never shined brighter as their respected characters then in this outing, and it left me wanting to see more of them. The supporting characters are also equally likable ... and the villains ... wow, dose this film reach a high point for an ensemble of great animated villains. In the end, for all this franchises up's and downs, I really don't think you could ask for a stronger, sweeter, family adventure then "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish".

#12 “Batman: Mask of the Phantasm” 

Personally, had it not been for Christopher Nolan’s 2008 movie “The Dark Knight”, this would still be my absolute favorite Batman movie by a mile. Still to this day, “Batman: Mask of the Phantasm” is one of my favorite animated movies, and I’d also go so far as to rank it among my top 10 all-time favorite comic books films. I really think this is the most multilayered the hero has ever been represented on film, and everything that is Batman is on full display here. We see his humanity, his heroism, as well as his dark side, his pathos, his regrets, and finally we see him as a detective, slowly putting together a larger puzzle. It’s also full of great action, drama, style, a chilling musical score and intriguing character complexities. It’s easy to recommend this film to fans of the animated 90’s Batman TV series, but it also isn’t required to watch the show beforehand. If you’re just a regular fan of superhero films, you can watch “Batman: Mask of the Phantasm” as its own standalone movie, and it’s still highly satisfying. Dare I say that even regular film viewers can watch this, and take something from it. It’s one of those special superhero films that for me gets better with age, it looks amazing, combines a tragic love story with a deep mystery and all the heroism you’d expect from personally my absolute favorite animated character … Batman.

#11 “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind” 

Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most influential and respected names in the realms of animation, and of all his many great accomplishments, my personal favorite by far is “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind”. This was only Miyazaki’s second film, and the amount of ambition, creativity and captivating artistry on display just blow my mind. It just feels like the most epic, and the most inspiring of his works, but that’s really all subject to my personal taste. It's the story of a brave young Princess named Nausicaa, who’ll fight to her dying breath to insure peace is made across a savage and waring land. For a film set in a dying apocalyptic future, it has quite a beautiful atmosphere, and some visual marvels. This movie was made back in the 1980’s, and it’s a true testament to the art of animation considering that no computers were used in the making of the film, yet it looks so phenomenal. Also, Princess Nausicaa is personally my all-time favorite movie Princess, animated or not, as she’s got the warmest heart and very charming personality, but she also commands authority, takes serious action and always takes charge in any given situation. Combined with a great cast of side characters, powerful performances, stealer artistry, epic storytelling ... “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind” just seems to have it all, and is easily my favorite of Miyazaki’s treasures.

#10 “Treasure Planet” 

If you can’t afford to go to Disney land in California, Florida or anywhere, then just rent this film, because this is every bit as exhilarating as any theme park ride, and its complete with drops, spins, speed, action and all kinds of enjoyment just being blown in your face at every minute. Yet, the films non-stop excitement never over shadows the characters or the message, which have always stuck with me over the years. The moral centers around the importance of honing your talents, and then charting the course to make a bright future, and it’s so humbly conveyed, that it’s become something of a guide for me in my own life’s journey. The plot is a traditional treasure hunt adventure, but the focus is on a layered father /son kind of relationship between the hero and villain. It’s not the traditional Disney formula, and it’s a refreshing concept for the film. The visual effects are amazing, combining CGI effects with traditional hand drawn animation, and it’s all just another big step in developed technology. The music is great, the pacing is fast and fun, it has a heart in the center and even though I didn't grow up with this film the same way I did with many other Disney offerings, it’s still a personal favorite, and an awesome adventure through outer space.

#9 “Anastasia” 

During the 90’s, countless animated films tried to replicate Disney’s winning formula, and while “Anastasia” was clearly doing the same thing, it somehow escaped from under Disney’s shadow, and in my opinion is a wonderful animated musical that really works on its own. When a Russian Princess loses her identity, it's up to a sneaky con man to set her on the right path. The real strength of the film comes from the on-screen banter and chemistry of the two leads, as they might just be my favorite animated couple. The cast in general is great, and the villain is equally entertaining to watch. More to the point, before “Frozen” or “Moana” this was the first animated musical that I felt really captured the personality, beauty, and presentation of a Broadway style production, just in animated form. I love every single song on this soundtrack, and the films rich animation really brings the song numbers to life. While the films take on Russian history is questionable, the film still succeeds with its classic music, engaging leads, and speaking truthfully, even though it’s very Disney-esk, it’s still one of my absolute favorites of Don Bluth’s works. 

#8 "A Goofy Movie" 

In general, even when I was kid, I was never that big a fan of the character goofy, thus it amazes me that a silly, road-trip comedy with him taking center stage could leave such an impact on me, and stick with me over the years as one of my absolute favorites. Make no mistake, I grew up with this film, and liked it fine back then, but I didn’t fall in love with it until I re-discovered it after I graduated high-school. What could have been a one-note goofy cartoon, had so much love and care put into the final project, and the result is one of my absolute favorite Disney offerings. It’s packed with really funny sequences, laced with a genuinely enduring story of a father a son coming together, contains some incredibly upbeat song numbers, along with a gorgeous animation layout, and it even features one of my favorite young romantic couples. “A Goofy Movie” is a prime example of a movie going above and beyond anything it needed to be, it rejuvenates my inner child, and is just a plain wonder film that deserves more attention.

#7 “The Prince of Egypt” 

Now here’s an animated movie that’s just plain epic, as everything it does is massive in scope and tone. Lots of big emotions, a stirring hero villain conflict, incredible visuals, and outstanding musical numbers. It’s a rare animated film that manages to bring this timeless biblical story to life with so much dignity to the source material, yet still making it an appealing experience for young viewers. There’s some really sharp voice acting in this film to boot, and it’s a very well-rounded cast of talented celebrities. Honestly, I think this film holds up over the original 1956 Cecil B. DeMille classic “The Ten Commandments”. It’s simply one of the greatest biblical stories of all time, and I just love how powerfully this film captures the human emotion of the story, while combining it with the sheer scope of its biblical size.

#6 “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” 

Even when Spider-Man movies were at their worst, I’ve always enjoyed them on some level, but none of them could match 2004’s “Spider-Man 2”, which for the longest time was my absolute favorite. Then completely out of the blue comes this animated Spider-Man movie, the first of its kind, a completely original experience with the web-swinger, and it’s gives my initial favorite some competition. It’s a film that combines bold, human storytelling, with striking animation, solid voice work, and an infectiously lovable cast of various Spider-Man characters, and further highlights that you can have a film stuffed with both spectacle and character, yet still come out a winning picture. It all adds up to a highly entertaining superhero venture that absolutely delivers all the heart, comedy, action, and a lot of imagination into a perfect whole.

#5 “Fantasia” & “Fantasia 2000” 

Whenever I’m feeling too picky about a film, I always look to either of the “Fantasia” movies to remind me that it's all about the experience, not the details. These are movies with no dialog (at least from the cartoon characters) and no running plot, but that’s the point, it’s the perfect example of a visual media. It’s not telling emotional stories, and instead it’s more like emotional experiences. There’s beauty, there’s terror, there’s comedy, there’s drama and it’s all brought to life with the simple use of combining quality animation with great music. The visuals are just stunning to look at, the colors are dazzling, and it all matches with the music so well, to the point where I’d call it visual poetry. The characters convey so much with just their expressions, and body movements that you don’t need dialog to make an emotional connection, and it’s the simplicity of the whole experience that allows me to just enjoy these films without critically analyzing anything. Even though these movies have epic music combined with big visuals, it all still flows with the graceful rhythm of a ballet. The first “Fantasia” was a crowning achievement in film history, and one of the biggest influences on my love for movies. The second film “Fantasia 2000” is my personal favorite of the two, as it contains more shorts that have left an impact on me, and is all around more fun. Still, both films belong among my top 30 favorites, and their just as beautiful to watch, as they are to listen to.

#5 “When Marnie was There” 

Even if you’re not a fan of Japanese Anime, this is a movie that I still highly recommend, because “When Marnie was There” is as beautiful as movies get.  Beautiful in its artistry, beautiful in its storytelling, beautiful in its theme’s, beautiful in its atmosphere, and it’s an experience that’s just plain good for the heart. The story revolves around an orphaned and asthmatic young girl named Anna, who’s basically shut herself out from the world ... and she hates herself for it. Everything changes once she meets a mysterious young girl named Marnie. As the two spend time together, Anna learns how to live her life to the fullest, and a powerful friendship ensues between these two young girls. Mysteries likewise unfold, origins get unraveled, deep life lessons are learned, then everything builds and builds to an ending that’s so touching, and beautiful that it’s hard not to get chocked up over it. Seriously, I rarely cry after watching a movie, let alone an animated one, but every time I watch this film, I’m always tearing up at the end. It’s a movie that combines real life struggles with a magical “Twilight Zone” like setting. I dare not go into any more detail, because I couldn’t do the film justice, and it’s an experience that viewers just need to have on their own. It may be a very recent film, but “When Marnie was There” stands tall, and strong as my favorite Japanese Anime I’ve ever seen, and personally, it’s one of my favorite movies.

#3 “The Hunchback of NotreDame” 

With its strong visuals, sensational music, dark themes, epic size and beautiful message of tolerance, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” is arguably my personal favorite of Disney’s traditional hand drawn collection. Honestly, I just love how out of the box this one is, as it goes for a more mature angle that plays for both kids and adults alike. The story is engaging and everything is brought up on a grand scale, the quire is big and the sheer size and scope of this film is just massive. The musical numbers are also some of my favorites, sounding great while still moving the story forward like a real on-stage musical. I also like how dark this film gets, it took more chances, but it never went too far that it became unpleasant. In fact, it always had something positive to balance out. This movie also features a small cast of characters, but there’s something so down to earth and genuine when their together on screen that they stand out as some of Disney’s finest. The hero is kind and humble, the villain is menacing yet complex and the supporting characters all do their job perfectly. There’re even parts when this film touches on issues of faith and religion, which gives this film a layer of substance not seen in previous Disney offerings. All this and more, as if I even needed more, land “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” as my personal favorite, traditionally animated Disney movie of all time.

#2 “The Toy Story Trilogy”

When it comes to highlighting my childhood favorites, the “Toy Story” films have a secure spot on the top of my nostalgic totem pole. It’s hard to select a favorite installment from some of my favorite long running franchises, and in regard to the “Toy Story” movies, there was simply no way I could choose one over the other. The original three are solid 5 out of 5 star movies. They will always stand as some of the greatest family films of all time for me, and they perfectly capture all the charms and nostalgia of our youths. These films do such a credible job combining laughs with legitimate drama and the balance is always so perfectly in place. The characters are all very lovable, colorful and genuine that they practically leap off the screen. There’s actually a touch of humanity to these characters that some human characters in other films lack, and it’s that bit of believability mixed with all the charms and impressive visual effects that make these films so timeless. I’ve held a special place for these films for the longest time, and in return can share them with a new young generation ahead. Every installment has the power to make you laugh, cry and just warm your heart with repeated viewings.

#1 “The How to Train Your Dragon Trilogy” 

It was the start of a new millennia, and this was the animated experience that topped anything I had previously grown up with. To call “How to Train Your Dragon” my favorite animated movie is almost underselling it … because I’d honestly put this film among my general favorite movies. I honestly never would have guessed that something this great could come from the Dream works studios, but here it is, and it’s a thing of beauty, both visually and thematically. It’s the tail of a young Viking who becomes friends with a Dragon, during a time when man and beast was wagging war with each other. Now, Dream Works traditionally goes for goofy, colorful entertainment, but this film felt like something else altogether. The story is built on old concepts and formulas that have been done in countless other movies, but the execution of it was done so well, that it made every convention feel fresh and new again. The characters felt real, the emotions felt real, it didn’t rely on traditional selling points like a big villain or musical numbers, it was just a very well-paced experience, laced with honest dramatic depth, and multilayered characters. Even the dragons made for fascinating characters that convey so much without even speaking. 

It also utilized its animation to convey visual storytelling, in which long sequences play out with no dialogue, yet so much is told through the animation of the characters, how the music builds and how it’s shot. When you combine all its heart felt righting with dazzlingly detailed animation, and some of the most breathtaking flight scenes to be experienced in the theater, it makes for an animated spectacle that truly sores. Following on the heels of a masterpiece film like "How to Train your Dragon" is no small task, yet the first sequel improves on the original in every way a good sequel should. It moves the story forward, it explores the characters on deeper levels, it one up’s the stakes, it explores the world, has grander battles, and the animation has only gotten more impressive. It’s also a sequel that dares to take chances, and gives younger viewers some really mature material. "How to Train your Dragon 2" is every bit as stunning, beautiful, thematically poignant, and uplifting as its predecessor, and in many respects is superior. 

From 2010 all the way through 2019, the “How to Train Your Dragon” series has been one of my most cherished long running franchises, which has expanded through sequels, shorts, TV shows, and now it all comes to a close with a deeply fulfilling final chapter. While I’d put “The Hidden World” just underneath it’s two predecessors, it was still unmistakably a powerful, beautifully animated, and largely entertaining swan song for the series. It was one of those special movie going experiences that felt like an event, as if I completed a journey that began nearly ten years ago, and now we have a truly great trilogy for a modern age … along with “Star Wars” and “Lord of the Rings”, I think “How to Train Your Dragon” can now be categorized as one of the great movie trilogies.     

Thanks for reading my countdown ... and continue to enjoy the movies you Love!