While most films place audiences in an altered sense of realism, live-action/animation hybrid films are a unique genre-blurring the lines between fantasy and reality. Beyond the realms of human imagination, elements of fiction and reality collide to form the top 5 finest live-action/animation hybrid films. Although time passes, these films still give viewers a very unique perspective and emotions. Let's start learning now!
1. Benefits of mixing live-action and animation in movies
We all know that live-action and animation each have their advantages. For example, with animation, filmmakers can quickly realize abstract ideas with fictional characters. Meanwhile, live-action captures emotions more rapidly and creates a more realistic feeling for viewers. So when animated movies utilize live-action, filmmakers can take full advantage of both.
To be more specific, movies that combine the magic of animation with the excitement of live-action will produce a captivating cinematic experience for viewers.
The first benefit must be that hybrid movies are more realistic looking in the viewer’s eyes. This type of film conveys more natural human emotions, which makes the film more engaging.
In addition, there are also things that only the intervention of animation can give the film a breakthrough. Just like cartoon characters have a universal appeal and accessibility that real human characters don't have.
Finally, on the production side, animated movies utilizing live-action give producers more visual freedom to create fantastical settings. Live-action/animation hybrid films are more creative, transcending real-world elements – something that animation filmmakers always aim for.
2. History of live-action/animation hybrid movies
The first live-action/animation hybrid interaction in Alice Comedies
In the 1920s, Walt Disney created a series of animated shorts about a young girl and a magical world. The basic premise of the series was that a real actress was filmed on set, and afterward, an animated landscape and characters would be added in. The ‘Alice Comedies,’ which merged live actors with animation, were some of Disney’s first animated shorts.
Following that point was a resurgence in the use of puppet animation in conjunction with live-action. Marking this event was the appearance of the first film to combine live-action and stop-motion puppetry - Ghost of Slumber Mountain in 1918. In addition, in 1933, King Kong was another successful film with cartoon characters who physically interacted with a real-life actor.
Disney’s efforts
It was until 1964 - when Disney produced the film Mary Poppins, that there was a breakthrough in animation technology. In addition to the real-life actors, the film was shot with a backdrop illuminated by sodium light and made entirely of animated effects in post-production and animated characters. This method is called the sodium vapor process, or the “yellow screen.”
3. Top 5 live-action/animation hybrid movies
Jason and the Argonauts (1963)
Myth-based fantasy cinema was in its Golden Age in 1963 when men were real men and Ancient Greek heroes were genuine American actors with gobs of false tan. Jason And The Argonauts was the story of a young Thessalian chosen by the goddess Hera who sets out on the high seas in search of a legendary treasure from a neighboring kingdom. The Golden Fleece is what he desires, but the people who possess it would prefer to keep it, and even obtaining it will be difficult.
The film was well-received by critics and is today regarded as a masterpiece. It has a "Certified Fresh" approval rating of 89 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 45 reviews. The general judgment on the site is: "Jason and the Argonauts, directed by Don Chaffey, is a surreal, nostalgic film whose main star is Ray Harryhausen's amazing stop-motion animation.
Space Jam (1996)
Space Jam is one of the must-watch animated movies in the 90s. The movie is a comedy in the 90s, following Bill Murray, basketball player Michael Jordan and our beloved characters from the Looney Tunes cartoon. In addition, the film incorporates animation elements with cartoon characters living deep below the Earth on a secret planet in this version of our world. Finally, it turns out that there are also active aliens.
To be more specific, Bugs Bunny and the gang are enslaved by aliens in an unusual series of events, and their only hope of escaping is to win a basketball tournament. At the same time, Michael Jordan is their sole hope for liberation. It's completely ludicrous but in the best possible manner.
It was also a box office hit, earning more than $250 million worldwide, and became the tenth-highest-grossing movie of 1996.
Who framed roger rabbit (1988)
Unlike many live-action/animation hybrid movies, Who Framed Roger Rabbit film does not rely on alternative universes, chalk paintings, or magic to justify the mix. Instead, it is set in a primarily live-action world where real-life actors and animated components coexist daily. That is why the film marked the pinnacle of technical innovation with the fusion of live-action and animation.
The plot revolves around a down-on-his-luck private investigator. Eddie Valiant is hired by R.K. Maroon, a cartoon producer, has been asked to investigate an adultery scandal involving Jessica Rabbit, the gorgeous wife of Maroon's biggest celebrity, Roger Rabbit. When Jessica's apparent paramour and Toontown owner Marvin Acme are found killed, the ruthless Judge Doom intends to find and eliminate Roger.
Overall, Who Framed Roger Rabbit is an imaginative and enjoyable picture with a breakthrough mix of live-action and animation, as well as a heartwarming and unique plot.
Mary Poppins (1964)
Mary Poppins is a legendary musical movie that includes real-life actors and beautifully animated elements. In the original, Mary Poppins, the magical nanny, takes her kids on various adventures, including one straight into sidewalk chalk art.
Specifically, the main real-life characters include Mary, Bert, and the children, who find themselves in an animated pastoral scene, where Mary and Bert are given tea by penguin waiters. There are carousel rides, a horse race, and a rescued fox, with the only live-action components being the four main characters. It's the ideal complement to the rest of the film's enchantment and whimsy.
In addition, at that time, Mary Poppins was Disney's highest-grossing film and the highest of 1964. Besides, the film received 13 Oscar nominations and won 5 awards. To this day, Mary Poppins has still considered an animation hybrid movie with the most impressive achievements from Walt Disney.
Cool World (1992)
Cool World is about Jack Deebs, a cartoonist who created a work called "Cool World", and a mad scientist who creates a machine that can connect to the world in the story. There, a female animated character tries to pursue him to go to the real world.
Like other live-action/animation hybrid movies in this list, this movie assumes that humans and cartoon characters may coexist in the same reality. It presents human beings who discover themselves in the "cool world" beyond the animator's pen.
Moreover, the live-action scene’s visual design was made to look like "a living, flowing canvas," whereas the film's settings based on designer Barry Jackson's paintings were enlarged.
However, Cool World received negative reviews upon release due to the chaotic plot and transitions that made it difficult for audiences to grasp the film's content. Still, it's a must-see movie for audiences who like a creative story and beyond reality. The film's soundtrack and visuals were also appreciated and received many compliments.
Conclusion
Which movie are you impressed with? Above is a summary of the 5 best live-action/animation hybrid movies that DeeDee Animation Studio has selected. Although many years have passed, these films are monuments of art, not only for their content but also for creativity in editing and technology. This combined film series offers the freedom to create images and plots but still makes sense of authenticity and appeals to viewers. For filmmakers, reviewing great works is also a way to cultivate and develop great ideas.
References:
Splento.com, Mixing live-action with animation
Popmatters.com, The 10 best films utilizing live-action and animation
Screenrant.com, The 12 Best Movies To Combine Live Action And Animation
‘The Process Of Combining Animation With Live-Action Films’ (Tulijoki, 2018)