Best Animated Family Films of the Decade, So Far

Sometimes the best way to gain credibility as a movie critic is to watch as many movies as possible. Therefore, my friend, and father of two children, Ryan Patrick seemed like the most logical choice as a guest columnist deciding the Best Animated Films so far this decade (released in 2010 or later). Here's what Ryan had to say about the issue:

Being a father of two girls, I’ve seen my fair share of children’s animated movies. In fact, I’ve seen almost every one released in theatres since 2010.  Most of the animated films actually turn out to be pretty good. Although the movies are geared toward a much younger audience, a majority of the stories and jokes are enjoyable for adults as well. Here are my Top 5 Animated Family Films so far this decade (2010 or later):

#1 - Toy Story 3 (2010)

*Nominated for 5 Oscars and winner of 2. (Best Original Song and Best Animated Feature Film)

Two words, Michael Keaton. His portrayal of Ken not only made the movie, but elevated Toy Story 3 to the best animated film of the 2010’s. For the third title in the series, it proved to be uniquely original. The story begins as Andy is off to college and the toys are being packed to go into the attic. After mistakenly being donated to a day care center, it is up to Woody to keep the group together and to prove to them that the ordeal was a mistake. Not all of the toys want to leave the day care center. Barbie, for example, is immediately smitten with Ken.  Whether it’s his dream house, massive wardrobe, or his “nice ascot,” Barbie doesn’t want to leave. However, not all of the toys have such a sunny motive. It’s up to Woody and the gang to get to the bottom of it to save the daycare and get reunited with Andy.

#2 - Wreck It Ralph (2012)

*Nominated for 1 Oscar. (Best Animated Feature)

Ralph is a video game villain who no longer wants to be a bad guy. The movie starts out with Ralph in a support group for bad guys and continues to impress from there. Ralph is on a quest to earn a medal and finally get the same respect and admiration as Fix it Felix, his video game’s protagonist.  Ralph’s misadventures lead him to the game “Sugar Rush,” where he gets some unexpected help from the game’s “glitch” Vanellope von Schweetz. It’s their budding relationship that helps Ralph realize that being a “bad guy,” doesn’t make him a bad guy.

#3 - Tangled (2010)

*Nominated for 1 Oscar. (Best Original Song)

Tangled is the best Disney Princess film since Beauty and the Beast (1991). It’s a retelling of the Brothers Grimm fairytale, Rapunzel, with Disney’s touch. The story follows a sheltered girl who’s locked away in a one room tower, with only her pet chameleon as a companion. When Flynn Rider, a thief on the run from the royal guard, discovers the tower and attempts to hide in it, he meets Rapunzel there and agrees to take her to see the “lights.” The “lights” are floating candles that the king and queen release every year on their missing daughter’s birthday. It’s on that journey to the castle that Rapunzel discovers who he she is and, even more importantly, Flynn Rider discovers who he wants to become.

#4 - Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012)

In my opinion, it’s the best Madagascar film in the series. The animals, with the help of the penguins, join the circus in their attempt to return to America. Their plan was to use the circus to get them back to New York, and then ditch it. But that might prove too difficult for them, as they become attached to the performers and the circus itself. During their travels they are being chased by Chantel Dubois, the captain of animal control. An excellent movie, that’s truly enhanced by watching it in 3D.

#5 – Megamind (2010)

Superhero stories have been around for the long time. The story of good versus evil has been around for even longer. Megamind sets out to put a unique twist on the age-long story of good versus will. The movie centers around an inept super-villain who loses all purpose when the town’s superhero decides to retire.  Megamind spends all of his days battling Metro Man, only to be beaten and sent home to create a new evil plan for tomorrow. When the redundancy of their relationship begins to take its toll, Metro Man retires. With nothing left to do, Megamind sets out to create a new superhero, Titan, who proves to be too much to handle. With Titan taking the reins as the new town in villain, it is up to Megamind and his sidekick Minion to save the town.

Honorable mentions:

Hotel Transylvania: Horrors greatest monsters made enjoyable and fun for the whole family. It’s the story of a father, Dracula ( Adam Sandler), who wants to protect and keep his only daughter, Mavis  (Selena Gomez),  safe from humans.  A human, Jonathan  (Andy Samberg), does his best to inadvertently make the hotel more enjoyable during Mavis’ 118^th birthday party.

Gnomeo and Juliet: The retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, using British lawn ornaments and garden gnomes.

Despicable Me:  An evil super- villain sets out to use three orphan sisters in his plans to steal the moon.