Animation Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Animation

Colourful cartoon characters in a studio setting, with a pink monster, an orange creature with wild hair, and a green character with large eyes.
Review

Inside Out 2 review – earnest but unambitious

by Hannah Strong

New emo­tions arise in Kelsey Man­n’s charm­ing sequel to Pixar’s 2015 hit about the inter­nal machi­na­tions of an Amer­i­can tweenager.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Cartoon cat-like character sitting on a plate of cooked food, with flames in the background.
Review

The Garfield Movie review – as messy as a child eating spaghetti

by David Jenkins

Anoth­er lack­lus­tre ani­mat­ed for­ay into the lasagne-smeared world of Jim Davis’ most famous com­ic creation.

2
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect
Cartoon interior of a cluttered room with a smiling ghost-like character reading a newspaper, surrounded by household items and furniture.
Review

Robot Dreams review – a wordless wonder

by Michael Leader

A dog cre­ates a robot friend for him­self in Pablo Berg­er’s intri­cate, amaz­ing silent animation.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Animated ducks playing in a pond surrounded by autumn foliage.
Review

Migration review – A sorely underpowered duck tale

by David Jenkins

A ripe set-up in which a fam­i­ly of ducks migrate in the wrong direc­tion is squan­dered in this hap­haz­ard and emp­ty fam­i­ly animation.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Two anime characters - a young boy and a creature with a large nose - seated at a wooden table in a rustic interior scene with a green door and windows.
Review

The Boy and the Heron review – poetry, philosophy, pure emotion

by Mark Asch

Less a swan­song and more a heron­song from the Japan­ese mae­stro Hayao Miyaza­ki, a mys­ti­cal and ambi­tious mes­sage of hope for the future.

5
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
Bright yellow boombox with cartoon troll character, multicolour hair and features.
Review

Trolls Band Together – NSYNC fandom rise up!

by David Jenkins

The very-belat­ed ref­or­ma­tion of US boy­band NSYNC is the cen­tral hook for this day-glo sec­ond sequel to the sur­pris­ing­ly beloved Trolls franchise.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Animated male character in basketball jersey holding ball, crowd in background
Review

The First Slam Dunk review – thrillingly choreographed basketball drama

by Esther Rosenfield

The man­ga that brought bas­ket­ball to Japan gets a new adap­ta­tion which thrilling­ly embod­ies the sport’s high-fly­ing action.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Assorted action figures of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, featuring vibrant green, blue, and orange colours.
Review

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem review – Turtle Power is alive and well

by Kambole Campbell

The piz­za-lov­ing, wise­crack­ing anthro­po­mor­phic rep­tiles receive a sub­stan­tial facelift in this charm­ing ani­mat­ed out­ing, which embraces their ado­les­cent spirit.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Vibrant fantasy creatures in colourful city scene, with bright pink, blue, and orange shapes.
Review

Elemental

by Hannah Strong

Oppo­sites attract in Pixar’s take on the rom-com, but a ten­den­cy to play it safe means that Peter Sohn’s sparky sopho­more fea­ture nev­er quite ignites.
Cartoon characters, smiling fairy with golden wings and a purple creature with long purple hair.
Review

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken

by David Jenkins

Charm­ing, if slight Dream­works ani­mat­ed fea­ture in which a krak­en hides in plain sight as a gawky teen high-school­er in the run-up to prom.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect