In some sad news, Pixar was completely snubbed at the Annie Awards last night in favor of Kung Fu Panda.
The Best Reviewed Movie of the Year was ignored last night, the movie which won every major Best Animated Film (if not Best Picture) nomination was underappreciated last night, I don’t get it…
Who knows, maybe since Pixar had won so consistently since Nemo, the ASIFA members just felt they should snub a film which many call the best animated feature of the decade, if not ever. Or maybe, there was some money involved…
Whatever it was, WALL•E deserved so much more.
Well, there’s always the (way more important) Oscars coming up…
I guess I should congratulate all of the winners, because it’s not like they didn’t deserve any awards either.
But to end on a good note, John Lasseter was awarded the Winsor McCay Award last night, so Pixar didn’t go completely empty handed.
WALL•E, Andrew Stanton and co., you’re all winners in our eyes! What do you think?
Last modified: January 31, 2009
The Dreamworks sweep isnt surprising when you realize they were “gold sponsors”.
Now, Kung Fu Panda is a good film, and while an unexpected result, is not unworthy of best prize. For WALL-E to get absolutely nothing, however, defies belief.
On a side note, I’m disappointed they awarded “Best Show” to Robot Chicken rather than Moral Orel, which I find to be one of the most interesting Animated Shows of the last few years.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the Annies are a complete travesty. They always have been and they always will be. Plain and simple.
Wall-E is the best animated movie of the year, without any doubt. Everyone, except those retards at the ASIFA, agrees on that. Just look at the number of awards both movies had won before the Annies: 22 for Wall-E, 0 for Kung Fu Panda. ‘Nuff said.
It is not possible to know how close this was. I do not believe anyone was bribed. I have said this before. If higher sponsors were always the winners, then PIXAR would have won back in 2002 for Monsters, Inc. – not Studio Ghibli for Spirited Away.
DreamWorks sponsors the Annies, they do not control the ballots. Kung Fu Panda felt more animated, if you will than WALL•E, and in terms of most of the production design, character animation, etc. awards they were deserved for Kung Fu Panda. The vote was probably very close, but I do not for one minute believe that enough people in the ASIFA took bribes for Kung Fu Panda.
It is like saying that the Oscars decided not to nominate Bruce Springsteen for The Wrestler. We seem to think of these organizations as a whole, when in reality, they are made up of many voting members. It is not just a panel of judges choosing the winners. It is like saying when a country elects a new leader, that the country as a whole chose them… No. In fact, it is just that more people voted for them then for any one other party. Most of the time though, they don’t have the popular vote. It is the same way here. When there are five nominees, how do we know that four of them didn’t get just under 20%, and the last one got just over? If four got 19.9% for example, and the last one, (the winner), got 20.4%, it would only be ahead of any of the others by 0.5%, and have not gotten 79.6% of the vote, but still it would be, fairly, the winner. At any time, for any awards, it could be that close – or closer.
…And, there would have to be a lot of the members, completely OK with taking bribes for it to be fixed!
– C-3PO
It is not possible to know how close this was. I do not believe anyone was bribed. I have said this before. If higher sponsors were always the winners, then PIXAR would have won back in 2002 for Monsters, Inc. – not Studio Ghibli for Spirited Away.
DreamWorks sponsors the Annies, they do not control the ballots. Kung Fu Panda felt more animated, if you will than WALL•E, and in terms of most of the production design, character animation, etc. awards they were deserved for Kung Fu Panda. The vote was probably very close, but I do not for one minute believe that enough people in the ASIFA took bribes for Kung Fu Panda.
It is like saying that the Oscars decided not to nominate Bruce Springsteen for The Wrestler. We seem to think of these organizations as a whole, when in reality, they are made up of many voting members. It is not just a panel of judges choosing the winners. It is like saying when a country elects a new leader, that the country as a whole chose them… No. In fact, it is just that more people voted for them then for any one other party. Most of the time though, they don’t have the popular vote. It is the same way here. When there are five nominees, how do we know that four of them didn’t get just under 20%, and the last one got just over? If four got 19.9% for example, and the last one, (the winner), got 20.4%, it would only be ahead of any of the others by 0.5%, and have not gotten 79.6% of the vote, but still it would be, fairly, the winner. At any time, for any awards, it could be that close – or closer.
…And, there would have to be a lot of the members, completely OK with taking bribes for it to be fixed!
– C-3PO
wall-e had lot of heart in it’s story..but that was all it had. kungfu panda is better overall and it deserves every award it got. it’s annie award, not a story award.
“wall-e had lot of heart in it’s story..but that was all it had. kungfu panda is better overall and it deserves every award it got. it’s annie award, not a story award.”
The best animated film should have the best animation, best writing in an animated film, and several other things which WALL-E had. What are you even doing on PP? Seriously, WALL-E was favored and is the best film of the year according to many many people (LA, Online Critics, Rotten Tomatoes, London, Chicago, Boston, Time Magazine, etc. And it was the Best Animated Film according to pretty much everyone else. Something happened, and we ALL know that Kung Fu Panda wasn’t “better”, so it’s time for people to stop trolling that, especially on Pixar sites. If Kung Fu Panda was “better” it would have won all of those awards. If you like it more, that’s one thing, that doesn’t mean it’s “better”. The best animated film of the year has already been declared as WALL-E time and time again, it’s a lock. Something not right happened at The Annies, but it seems there are a few that are in denial while everyone else is in shock for knowing this could happen.
Envy of Pixar – it’s so sad.
You know, Wall-e was is my favorite film ever – a masterpiece. But I feel alright about Kung Fu winnning this one award. Sure it will not be legendary, but it was the first Dreamworks film where I exclaimed, “Yes, they nailed it.”
I also noted one of your points that Kung Fu P had more “broad” animation in it. The Wall-e animation is very simplistic, but very polished. It’s story and characters are so amazing, that the work came naturally. Victor Navone cranked out more footage for this than any other film: perhaps we can say that this film wasn’t as challenging for at least that animator.
When all is said and done, I’ll remember Kung Fu Panda as a really great film with much to offer.
But I will remember Wall-e as a masterpiece that impacted my life.
Look at the Individual Achievement Categories. I was guessing that the only one that might go to WALL•E would be maybe Production Design for Ralph Eggelston. It went to Tang Heng for Kung Fu Panda.
In the Character Animation category, It is probably because animating characters like Tai Lung is harder than animating characters like WALL•E. Soft-bodied characters with lots of fur and muscle is more difficult to manipulate than an animated machine, or robot. Animating a character like Tai Lung, would be more like animating a character like Sulley of Monsters, Inc. fame.
…And, if we look, in 2002, Doug Sweetland took home the Annie for character animation for Monsters, Inc., (and took it again for Finding Nemo in 2003), while this year that award went to James Baxter for Kung Fu Panda.
Honestly, characters like Tai Lung, are closer animation-wise to a character like Sulley.
And as for the Annie Awards not liking PIXAR, both Finding Nemo, and The Incredibles each won all nine of their respective awards. Ratatouille also won big, and the year before that, while Happy Feet won at the Oscars, Cars won at the Annie’s.
While I thought Andrew Stanton would win for Feature Directing, and WALL•E would win for Best Feature, the other ones I saw coming when the nominations were announced. They are both good movies, and have their strong, (and weak), points when it comes to awards like this. WALL•E has swept other awards, while Kung Fu Panda swept the Annie’s. Plain and simple.
One Movie, Five Views,
http://www.onemoviefiveviews.com
“You know, Wall-e was is my favorite film ever – a masterpiece. But I feel alright about Kung Fu winnning this one award. “
The problem is that it won 13 awards and WALL-E won nothing, making it clear DreamWorks bought more ballots this year. Even if KFP had walked away with the big award and WALL-E had won some minor ones, it wouldn’t make sense but it’d be explainable by proper voting. In this case it’s all too clear that this is not the case of fair voting practices, especially when you can become a voting member by paying a fee.
This might be of interest (ASIFA-Hollywood is the organization that runs the Annie Awards).
<quote>
ASIFA-Hollywood’s membership currently numbers 4,000, and all of the major studios provide memberships for their staff. There’s no imbalance involved here. Besides, most people in the animation business have worked for several of the studios at one time or another. They vote their conscience for the film or individual that they consider to be the best choice, not party line.
ASIFA-Hollywood is a neutral ground between studios. Membership is open to anyone who would like to get involved. It isn’t fair to ASIFA to suggest that the results are “stacked” in anyone’s favor, and it isn’t fair to the honorees, many of whom are Individual Achievement winners, to suggest that they don’t deserve to be recognized for their work.
Stephen Worth
Director
ASIFA-Hollywood
</quote>
http://animationguildblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/kfp-wallops-competition.html (in the comments section)
Wow. WALL-E got snubbed big time. For Ralph Eggleston to not win, or Ben Burtt for that matter. I mean, Dustin Hoffman winner for Best Voice Acting? What a complete joke.
We all know which movie is the real winner here.
I too though that Ralph Eggleston would win, but from what I have seen of production art from Kung Fu Panda, I am sure that Tang Heng’s win is still just as deserved. These are all great artists. These are individual awards – the quality of work that they can produce doesn’t change depending on what studio they work for.
As for Ben Burtt, while his work on WALL•E was amazing, as always, it was not a voice acting feat. It was amazing sound editing/sound mixing. I had put my guess down on Ian McShane, even though I pretty much knew that it was going to be Dustin Hoffman. The more I thought about it, the more I knew that he was going to win. As much as I love WALL•E, Dustin Hoffman’s work in Kung Fu Panda is amazing, and very deserving of this award.
Even to be one of the 3, 4, or 5 nominated is an honour in itself. All of the nominees, and winners, should be very proud of their accomplishments.
– http://www.onemoviefiveviews.blogspot.com
Dustin’s voice work is very pedestrian. Randall Duk Kim and Ian McShane are far better, yet Randall was snubbed.
I really like both Kung Fu Panda and Wall-E, I’m happy that Panda got the recognition it deserved, but funny enough that people act like these were the only two films. I thought that as a story Bolt worked better than Wall-E.
I do think that the character(Wall-E) was lovable but the second part of the story which cunt in around the second act was very weak story wise and didn’t pan out the way it could have.
Bolt felt more complete and was better constructed (even though it was a re-telling of TS2) over all. Kung Fu Panda was more fun and didn’t seem to take it self to series. I am not sure why ones victory has to viewed as a snub of the other.
Personally nothing special struck me about Dustin Hoffman’s voice acting, as with a lot of Dreamworks’ choices. They go for the celebrity name, rather than talent. It would only be a complete fluke if the celebrity produced anything more than an adequate job.
while both great films, out of all the awards that Kung fu panda beat wall-e, best voice acting has to be the most suprising. Ben Burtt got beaten by Dustin Hoffman?!
Not only that, but wall-e didnt even get nominated for best writing, yet the awful madagascar 2 did.
Andrew Stanton should have EASILY won best director.
considering dreamworks was a gold sponser and pixar only silver, im starting to believe money was involved. KFP even won best video game over dead space.
The Annies allow anyone to vote simply by paying an annual membership fee to ASIFA, which is very unusual. Most awards allow either only a selected group to vote, or allow the public to vote for free.
This result is so unexpected that it seriously damages the credibility of the awards. The voting structure of the awards is very vulnerable to vote-stuffing and naturally invites suspicion. While it is most likely nothing inappropriate happened, there will always be doubts.
Although I love WALL-E, Kung-Fu Panda is also a good movie. In truth, I expected Kung-Fu Panda to do better than WALL-E at the Annies after I heard that it received 16 nominations. It obviously fits their criteria better. However a clean sweep like this beggars belief.
“I am not sure why ones victory has to viewed as a snub of the other.”
Because it’s a real total snub, one that is so humiliating and ridiculous if you look at the whole passing year.
I’ve made no secret of my appreciation for KFP, and I’m happy to see its victories, but like others, I’m really taken aback by the complete sweep of the awards.
I’d rather believe it’s not a matter of money, and I’m not surprised by more awards going to DW/PDI than Pixar this year, but (in addition to the sweep), I’m surprised by certain awards..
I love Dustin Hoffman, but Ian McShane was the standout performance in my mind. Ben Burtt did amazing things, but like someone else said, I consider it sound design more than voice acting.
I too would have liked to see Moral Orel win Animated TV production, but I’m happy the Simpsons didn’t win it. For too long (since season 10, IMO) it’s been winning awards for longevity, because the quality hasn’t been there. By the same token, I’m happy to see Family Guy wasn’t nominated.
I think Fosters has more charming character design than “Furious 5” too,
It’s worth keeping in mind that the categories lend themselves to something admittedly more traditional (KFP) than revolutionary (Wall-E, Waltz with Bashir), but I heard an interesting review (by Michael Philips I think) where he said that while W-E is the “better” film, KFP is more entertaining, and I know what he’s saying.
The deck is stacked to be sure, but asifa group is biased towards more “traditional” oriented animation for the most part. Funny how asifa Hollywood has 4000 members, and yet so very few show up to any of the asifa meetings (a dozen or so).
I too thought that Ian McShane was probably going to win originally, but I am happy with this one going to Dustin Hoffman. Ben Burtt has some Oscar nominations for Sound Editing, and Sound Mixing. That’s a better fit than voice acting anyway. I believe I have already mentioned that though…
http://www.onemoviefiveviews.blogspot.com
Pixar knew going into this one that they were going to be shut out. They only showed up to be gracious. The word got out the Dreamworks JK purchased membership for the whole company, basically buying the vote.
The real issue isn’t that Wall-E didn’t win Best Animated Picture, but that it didn’t win any awards at all. Look at the results:
– Best Animated Feature – Best Animated Effects – Best Character Animation – Best Character Design – Best Directing in an Animated Feature – Best Music in an Animated Feature – Best Production Design in an Animated Feature – Best Storyboarding in an Animated Feature – Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature – Best Writing in an Animated Feature
Wall-E should’ve at least won one of these awards. It definitely should’ve won Best Writing.
WALL•E was not nominated for Best Writing, so that’s one of the key factors to it not winning…
“I hope Kung Fu Panda sweeps this year’s Annies and Oscars. I found it more entertaining than WALL-E and in terms of design, it is hands down the boldest looking animated feature released this year, period. WALL-E is impressive but the Kung Fu design is truly inspired. Surely the best looking movie to come out of Dreamworks. I hope it at least sweeps in the design categories. In this case, I think Pixar can take a lesson from Dreamworks. Kung Fu Panda is a great CG “cartoon”, with design that is caricatured, appealing and not limited by photo-realism. Kudos to the Panda crew. Having worked on Incredibles, I know that trying something different can be a huge challenge. I don’t know how you guys did it. But you raised the bar. “
The above quote is from Lou Romano, on the Cartoonbrew site a couple of months ago. And I have to concur. I’m quite fine KFP winning so many awards. It was BRILLIANT! Speaking as a designer and animator, Kung-Fu Panda raised the bar for animation, design, and subject matter (particularly witth Dustin Hoffman’s character and the snow leopard). Wall-e was good, don’t get me wrong, but it didn’t really push the envelope the same KFP did. Wall-e pusahed storytelling boundaries to be sure, especially the way one can tell a story, but it wanted to badly to be 2001, to make a statement, that it didn’t ring as true to me. Kung-Fu Panda was content to create its own little world, and stay there. It had an authenticity to it that is difficult for me to articulate. Plus, the simple fact of the matter is, as an ANIMATED film, it’s much bolder in design, animation, and dynamics. Wall-e recreated the real world a bit too much. Kung-Fi Panda reveled in its cartooniness. And for awards based on animation, and animation principles, it makes perfect sense for it to walk away the winner. I hope Pixar takes notice, and pushes their designs more. Something more along the line of Presto.
Having said that, Andrew Stanton not winning best direction was a shock to me. I think he and Brad Bird are two of the best animation directors out there (and in the case of Brad Bird, one of the best directors period).
see this is why right here some people dont want to join these boards. 1st of I dont like this ATTITUDED some of you people Have towards Dreamworks winning Awards and Dreamworks in General mostlly.
I mean look at what some of you just said. You ACCUSED Jeffrey K. and Dreamworks of Cheating in the Annie Awards votes. this is some serious stuff here. I would never ACCUSE YOUR Held dear to your heart Pixar of this Cheating; you Accuse Dreamworks of ever. Hey I like Pixar to,but I myself feel this 2 side war lashing has to come to an end.
that’s why I wont Post about things here; I know you just would not understand my point on an become my enemy. likes to let say…. if I posted something like what if John Lasseter wanted to make some Disney Sequels again. would you support that? if John said he made them not cheap and thrown together and had them complement the orginals of daddy Walt Disney’s? – I will never post that because I already know, the replies from most of you here, would be given to me.
so that is why you’ll never see me post on these boards posts like that. an why it will never be more open and understanding on these boards from both sides any time soon.
in closing I am glad for Kung Fu Panda winning the Annies. it shows me that some people want to give the Underdog A few moments to shine to. an also it keeps PIXAR humble,abasive and alert to stay humble and content with what they get and what they dont.
God knows that Dreamworks has had it’s share of being HUMBLED and ABASIVE in the past to mid present,an God thought it was time to try Dreamworks,Jeff K. and co. by letting them win every now an then like this; to encourage,uplift them and see if the’ll give him back the same in awarding him their lives,time,and what they have,only time will tell; but I can tell you this most in Dreamworks will.
I believe that sometimes the divine above does this to keep us Humble and makes us be abase and know why we got Awards and Success,Achivments and Achivements,an why also we at times failed and lossed things in life. not by our hand but by A greater Divine hand.