PAPRIKA trailer

Click here to see the exciting trailer for the new film by Satoshi Kon (Millennium Actress, Tokyo Godfathers), Paprika.

Watching this trailer only reminded me about the sorry state of hand drawn feature length animation in the United States. The word moribund comes to mind.

The dictionary definition of moribund is

1. in a dying state; near death.
2. on the verge of extinction or termination.
3. not progressing or advancing; stagnant

Yep, that word sums it up.

The Japanese continue to advance the possibilities of animation in the feature film arena. They seem undisturbed by the CG/Mo-Cap blockbuster-mentality that Hollywood has embraced. The highest grossing film in Japan last year was Studio Ghibli’s traditionally animated Gedo Senki (Tales From Earthsea) by Goro Miyazaki.

I’m optimistic enough to believe it will turnaround here, in time.

Till then, we’ve got The Simpsons.