Animation Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Animation

Young boy in spacesuit with two dogs wearing baseball uniforms in old-fashioned setting.
Review

Isle of Dogs

by Hannah Strong

A humongous creative undertaking and a simple love of dogs combine for the most staggering achievement of Wes Anderson’s career.

4
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
Stylised illustration of a man writing at a desk, surrounded by various caricatured faces. Warm tones with a dark, grungy background.
Review

Have a Nice Day

by David Jenkins

Fans of Quentin Tarantino and Jim Jarmusch will delight in Liu Jian’s animated crime noir.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Colourful skeletal figures in traditional Mexican attire, including sombrero hats, posing with a young boy in a festive street scene.
Review

Coco

by David Jenkins

Pixar mine the theme of mortality for light-hearted frolics in this Mexican-set adventure.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Caveman and wolf stand in lush forest, surrounded by trees and sunlight.
Review

Early Man

by David Jenkins

The Stone Age and the Bronze Age go to war in this daffy stop-frame comedy from Aardman Animation.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Colourful cartoon figures; woman in yellow, duck-like creature, abstract shapes and patterns.
Review

Lu Over the Wall

by Michael Leader

Masaaki Yuasa’s second film of 2017 proves he’s one to watch in the animé world.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Anime character with brown eyes and dark hair, wearing a floral kimono, smiling calmly.
Review

Fireworks

by Michael Leader

Despite some initial promise, this striking looking animé from director Akiyuki Shinbô quickly fizzles out.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
A warm-toned interior scene featuring a large billiards table, lamps with radiating light, and figures in period costume. Dominant colours are orange, yellow, and brown.
Review

Loving Vincent

by Matt Thrift

A curious artistic experiment amounts to little more than that in this so-so Vincent Van Gogh biopic.

4
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Anime-style illustration featuring a young woman in a school uniform, standing with a plush toy. Two male characters, one on a scooter, in the background. Vibrant colours and a suspension bridge in the sky.
Review

Napping Princess

by Michael Leader

This entertaining animated adventure imagines a near-future powered by machines.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Cartoon characters on a neon-lit city background; smiling yellow ball with big eyes and limbs, alongside two other expressive cartoon figures.
Review

The Emoji Movie

by David Jenkins

The crazy world of digital smartphone pictograms get its own awful animated movie.

1
Anticipation
1
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect
Cartoon character in a red scarf and blue shorts sitting on a patterned mat, with a smiling expression and surrounded by greenery and brickwork.
Review

Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie

by Catherine Pearson

Dav Pilkey’s beloved children’s novels are brought to life in this funny, warm-hearted film for the whole family.

2
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect