Animation Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Animation

Illustration of a grey robot with large, expressive eyes against a vibrant purple background with sparkles.
Review

The Wild Robot review – a moving ecological parable

by Kambole Campbell

Chris Sanders crafts an expressive, visually striking fable about a robot forced to adapt to the environment of an uninhabited island.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two men standing near bowls in an animated scene with a wooden background.
Review

Kensuke’s Kingdom review – a heartfelt adaptation

by Joel Oiku

Michael Morpurgo‘s beloved children’s novel gets an animated adaptation, courtesy of Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Animated character with large head and striped shirt holding magnifying glass, surrounded by bright lights and colourful background.
Review

Despicable Me 4 review – a paper-thin fourquel

by David Jenkins

Another chunk of glossy, silly content rolls out for the Steve Carell-fronted behemoth animation franchise.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
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