Animation Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Animation

Animated characters in bright, fantastical setting with vibrant colours and unusual shapes.
Review

Strange World

by David Jenkins

This retro-inspired Disney adventure yarn boasts lots of great, progressive ideas, but lacks in the imagination department.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Colourful cartoon characters in dark, fantasy setting with vibrant hues of pink, blue, and yellow.
Review

Wendell & Wild

by Saffron Maeve

Stop motion legend Henry Selick teams up with comedy masterminds Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key for his much anticipated return to the big screen.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
A large, green alligator sitting on a snowy surface, with a window and buildings visible in the background.
Review

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

by David Jenkins

An animated crocodile with the voice of an angel spreads New York cheer in this breezy and highly likeable family diversion.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Vibrant autumn landscape with horses on a path, surrounded by colourful foliage and hills.
Review

Inu-Oh

by Daniel Schindel

A dancer and a musician form a unique friendship in Masaaki Yuasa’s fantastical animated musical.

5
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Three animated Minion characters standing in front of a yellow school bus, wearing brightly coloured clothing and accessories.
Review

Minions: The Rise of Gru

by David Jenkins

The Minions scarcely feature in this screwball supervillain origin story that’s shamefully short on lols.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect
Astronaut in space suit holding cuddly toy cat, control panel with flashing lights in background.
Review

Lightyear

by Hannah Strong

Pixar crash land with an underwhelming sci-fi spin-off focused on Toy Story’s Star Commander Buzz Lightyear.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Animated characters: man with moustache and glasses, woman with glasses, standing in room with kitchen and artwork.
Review

The Bob’s Burgers Movie

by Hannah Strong

The Belcher family discover a sink hole, try to solve a murder and take their burger shop on the road in the feature-length version of their hit animated show.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Group of young people in dim lighting, sitting and interacting around a table.
Review

Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood

by David Jenkins

This magnificent mid-century memory piece from Richard Linklater is up there with the director’s finest films.

3
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
Close-up of a blue cartoon hedgehog character with large eyes and a mischievous expression, clinging to a red aeroplane wing.
Review

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

by David Jenkins

Dashed-off sequel to the 2020 hit which makes the Chipmunks films look like Tarkovsky by comparison.

1
Anticipation
1
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect
Furry red monster-like character with big eyes and teeth, holding onto a large crane in an urban setting with blue sky and clouds.
Review

Turning Red

by Kambole Campbell

Domee Shi’s feature debut about a teenage girl with an unusual power is Pixar’s best film in years.

3
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect