Oscars: Best Animated Feature 2009 - Who Should Have Won?

The Academy Award for Best Animated Feature is surprisingly contentious. While some critics believe that the honour has helped increase the visibility of the animated industry since its creation in 2002, others believe that the award was devised as a kind of consolation prize, so that animated films wouldn't have to be nominated for Best Picture. 'Beauty and the Beast' was the first animated feature to be nominated for Best Picture back in 1991 and it remained the only film to receive this honour until 'Up' was nominated back in 2009.

The Pixar classic failed to win Best Picture and still to this day, no animated film has achieved that feat. 'Up' did win the award for Best Animated Feature though but was it deserved? 2009 was an incredibly strong year for animated films and in my opinion, any one of the nominees could have taken the prize home. In a year of floating houses, spider-mothers, frogs kissing, Irish fairies and Meryl Streep playing a fox, it was anyone's game. But what do you think should have won the 2009 Oscar for Best Animated Feature? Let's take a look at the films so you can judge for yourself. And remember to read more entries in the 31 Days of Oscar Blogathon, which starts on February 1st.

Coraline - Henry Selick

Why should it have won?
Stop-motion legend Henry Selick directed one of the most popular animated films of all time, 'A Nightmare Before Christmas', and yet he has always been overshadowed by Tim Burton's production credits on the feature. 'Coraline' allowed Selick to step out on his own for this Neil Gaiman adaptation and the talent speaks for itself. The creepy atmosphere and incredible voice work behind 'Coraline' would have made it a credible winner that could show people that there's more to animation than just pastel colours and cutesy voices. To read more about 'Coraline' click here.  

Why didn't it win?
With its dark themes and creepy imagery, 'Coraline' may have been too 'grown-up' for an Academy who previously gave this award to the god-awful dancing penguin travesty 'Happy Feet'.

Best scene
What I love most about this film is the central relationship between Coraline and the Other-Mother, voiced by the surprisingly terrifying Teri Hatcher. At the end of the feature, when Coraline is struggling to escape the bizarre parallel world that she's become trapped in, Other-Mother becomes desperate and screams out after her 'daughter', "Don't leave me...I'll die without you!". It's a truly chilling performance that makes me think that there should be a new category at the Oscars for Best Voice Work.

Fantastic Mr Fox - Wes Anderson

Why should it have won?
When legendary indie director Wes Anderson announced that he would make a stop-motion film based on the classic Roald Dahl children's book, it became immediately obvious that this would not just be your run-of-the-mill adaptation. With 'Fantastic Mr Fox', Anderson took all of his quirky sensibilities and created an animation that appealed to fans of alternative cinema while still staying true to the original story. No one makes films like Anderson and it would have been great to see this brave venture be commended with an Oscar win. 

Why didn't it win?
The offbeat style of Anderson's work may have gained him a previous screenwriting nomination for 'The Royal Tenembaums', but the traditionally stuffy Academy voters didn't seem to enjoy this brilliant yet unusually written children's film.  

Best scene
There are always many fantastic little moments that shine in an Anderson film and so it was hard to choose just one for 'Fantastic Mr Fox'. The appearance of the apparently perfect nephew Kristofferson is a highlight for me and I love the random ending when the animals just begin dancing in the supermarket aisles but if I had to pick one scene, then it would have to be the heist. With George Clooney voicing Mr Fox himself, this section is literally 'Oceans 11' with animals and it's a great showcase for Anderson's directing talent.

The Princess and the Frog - John Musker and Ron Clements

Why should it have won?
After the embarrassment that was 'Home On The Range', Disney decided to scrap hand-drawn animation and focus on CGI, which was a huge blow for animation fans back in 2004. Fast forward five years later and Disney changed their minds - thank god - and the result was this; the best Disney animation since the studio peaked in the 90s with classics like 'Aladdin' and 'The Lion King'. 'The Princess and the Frog' just looks stunning, with its gorgeous New Orleans backdrop, which is a testament to the beauty of hand-drawn animation. Combine this with some brilliant songs and the best Disney princess in years and you've got yourself a Disney classic.  

Why didn't it win?
2009 could have been anyones year for this category and this was Disney's strongest effort since the Academy started giving out this award but Pixar had built up a stronger fanbase throughout the years and perhaps the Oscars felt the studio deserved it more for their consistency.

Best scene
Without spoiling anything, there is a terribly sad moment towards the end of 'The Princess and the Frog' which just wrenched my heart when I first watched this film. Other great moments include Tia's solo song 'Almost There', which was nominated for an Oscar for Best Song and the terrifying introduction of the villainous Dr Facilier, who is one of the best villains Disney has created in years. To read more about him and to watch him sing 'Friends On The Other Side', click here.

The Secret of Kells - Tomm Moore

Why should it have won?
How often do you see an animated Irish film at the Oscars? 'The Secret of Kells' was the surprise nomination for many, but anyone who has actually seen it will tell you that it was a more than worthy addition to the nominees. The story is based around the creation of the Book of Kells in 8th century Ireland and what's unique about the film is that its hand-drawn animation is actually styled like the original religious manuscript, resulting in these luscious colours and flowing frames that are just beautiful to look at. It may have been the dark horse but 'The Secret of Kells' would have been a commendable choice had it won, helping to raise the visibility of animation outside of America.  

Why didn't it win?
 It's not unheard of for international animation to win this award but 'The Secret of Kells' was just not as well known as previous winners, like the Japanese 'Spirited Away' or the British 'Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit', which both came from more established studios. 

Best scene
The animation is beautiful throughout but its at it most effective during a battle scene towards the end, when an army of Vikings attack the monastery where our protagonist Brendan lives. The scene is just as thrilling as anything Hollywood can produce but is more memorable for its Celtic style.  

Up - Pete Docter

Why did it win?
Pixar enjoyed a ridiculously successful run of hits in the 2000s, much like the Disney Renaissance of the 80s and 90s, and 'Up' continued the studios success, winning their fifth Oscar of the decade for this category. The story of pensioner Carl and his floating house is an emotive story of loss and acceptance, which incorporates a thrilling old-school sense of adventure with humorous characters and outlandish situations. And you've just got to love a talking dog.  

Why shouldn't it have won?
The Academy ventured out of their comfort zone for this year's nominees yet ended up awarding the prize to the clear favourite. While 'Up' does have a lot going for it, it's not quite up there with Pixars best and I would have liked to have seen a more innovative feature win the prize.

Best scene
I dare anyone who denounces animated films as 'kiddie cartoons' to watch the first scene of 'Up' without shedding a tear. Animated or not, the montage of Carl's life with Ellie and the love they shared is one of the best opening scenes of all time.

So what do you reckon? Did 'Up' deserve its victory at the 2009 Academy Awards or was another film more deserving? Let me know what you think by commenting, liking and sharing below. And remember to read more entries in the 31 Days of Oscar Blogathon, which starts on February 1st.