2009 was a great year for movies, including family-friendly children’s movies! Whether you fell in love with chubby, industrious Russell in Disney • Pixar’s “Up” (one of the best movies from the lot) or renewed your crush on Alvin and the Chipmunks, or rooted for the Monsters in “Monsters vs. Aliens,” you’re bound to have a favorite children’s movie from this past year… even if you didn’t take the kids! In case you missed any, here’s my list of the ten best children’s movies from 2009.
1. Alvin and The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Director: Betty Thomas
Cast: Zachary Levi, Justin Long, Jason Lee, David Cross, Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler, and Wendy Malick
I admit it: I thought this movie was going to be horrible. When my daughter asked me to take her to see it, I rolled my eyes and reluctantly agreed. The previews made it look wretched, and the soundtrack was even worse. But, and I hesitate to type this publicly, it really wasn’t bad. After a back-stage accident leaves Dave hospitalized, the Chipmunks enroll in school, and are asked to compete in a Battle of the Bands. Three of their biggest little fans, the Chipettes, are set to compete against them, but in the end, they discover they work better together.
2. Astro Boy
Director: David Bowers
Cast: Nicholas Cage, Kristen Bell, Samuel L. Jackson, Charlize Theron, Bill Nighy, and Freddie Highmore
Loosely based on the first real Japanese anime series, Astro Boy tells the story of a robot-boy who was built by a grieving father who lost his only son. It’s sort of a Pinocchio story in reverse. Astro doesn’t know he’s not a real boy until a near-accident reveals some of his cool, robot “features.” While it wasn’t a huge success at the box office, I enjoyed it, as did the three pre-teen boys I took with me to see it. I was a little annoyed with the political messages and the preachy tone, but the boys and I loved the robotic mayhem and chases.
Oi! Quick Q – Where the wild things are? That’s not a kid’s movie… sure it’s based on a children’s story. BUT! It’s a lot like the dark knight based on Batman comics. It bloody left me feeling all weird.
ps: Doubt – Isn’t the numbering all wrong? UP has got to be #1. For sure. Pixar knows its shit.
pps: Apologize for the OTT reaction but am a bit of nutter when it comes to movies and books.
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Eee! Sorry, Zen! Aside from “Cloudy” I just put them in alphabetical order by title. “UP” was probably my favorite, though… so cute, and such incredible animation! Why oh why do the folks at Pixar always make me cry though?
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Hey I haven’t seen most of these films. Thanks for reminding me to check them out :D
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I want to see Alvin and the chipmunks myself. My neighbor/close friend’s dad passed away. Poor lady is in a very bad state. I was thinking of babysitting her two little daughters for a day. The movie sounds like a good idea.
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From the whole list I’ve only seen the Ice Age and was great :) well I was a fan of the Ice Age 1 and 2 also…so I must continue the tradition :)
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I loved the first 2 movies too Tavia, but sadly havent been able to catch the 3rd. Guess I’ll have to watch it on DVD now!
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I think Up’s got to be #1 too. That movie was just great and I think I enjoyed it just as much or more than any kid would.
The Princess and the Frog wasn’t half bad either; I’m glad Disney’s gone back to their original animations.
Speaking of great Disney flicks, I’m about to pee my pants I’m so excited for “Oceans” to come out on Earth Day this year! Check out the trailer if you have a minute (sorry, I hope it’s allowed to post links!):
http://www.hulu.com/watch/75582/movie-trailers-oceans
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No issues with links Bee. And yes even i loved Up. The kid was soo cute!!
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LOL I haven’t seen any of them this year.
I never get to watch them since my mom hates me watching ‘cartoons’.
I really want to see coraline an Up and CWACOM. They look really cute (:
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Hey Amy,
You really gotta watch Up. That’s a realll fun movie. I had sorta lost faith in animations till I saw that. As for the other two.. I havent yet seen them so can’t comment :)
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As soon as I have free time, I’ll catch it (:
The animations look gorgeous.. the dog is L-O-L funny.. he looks so sad =P
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I love children’s movies!! I totally fell in love with Alvin and the Chipmunks :D
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You know what Xannyyy, even though i love kids’ movies too, i found the Chipmunks REAALLY annoying – atleast the first one. haven’t yet watched the second one.
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I loved Astro Boy! My favorite family film this year. I saw it alone as a lark, then took my nephew to see it the following week, and he adored it. It was quite touching and emotional, plus had enough rock-em sock-em robot action to keep thing moving along at a nice place. No false notes, no dull spots in that movie anywhere. It also had a great message, and it dealt with the issues of grief, rejection and forgiveness in a refreshingly authentic way. Surprised it didn’t do better; I suspect that most people didn’t know quite what to make of it (and I don’t recall seeing a lot of ads for it). But it’s excellent! I’m definitely buying the DVD…and not for my nephew (he can get one for himself! ;)
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*envisions you and your nephew fighting over the DVD* :)
Hey Parasol,
Now that I am hearing so many reviews about it, I guess I’ll HAVE to get the movie and watch it too!
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Oh my goodness Up totally seized my heart and ran with it until I too was soaring up with those two buds in their balloon vehicle. What a brilliant and poignant movie. I love so bad they are good movies from time to time but you know what? Hollywood needs to produce more inspirational yet sincere stories such as this with a extra dose of imagination. That’s what the movie experience is about… heck! that’s what the human experience is about. Thanks for including it in your list! It’s a film everyone can enjoy. Can’t wait to surprise my grandpa with it in his language dvd next summer when I visit him! :)
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SQUIRREL!! :D
Hey Theo,
i love the movie too.. and i’m sure your grandpa will love it too!
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