The New NIMH- Mixed Media That Shouldn't Be Mixed...

"A new film based on Robert C. O'Brien's Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is in the works at Paramount Pictures...Today the game has changed and numerous major studios as well as independent production companies are developing traditional and CG animated features, as well as the quasi live-action/CG character hybrids like this past weekend's number one movie at the box office, G-Force. In their coverage of the new NIMH movie,The Hollywood Reporter believes that Paramount is likely to pursue that latter option and make their NIMH rats CG creations while the rest of the picture will be live-action."

via Corona Coming Attractions...

Now, Don Bluth's 1982 version of "The Secret of NIMH" is one of my all-time favorite childhood cartoons, so yes, I'm biased here. I think this is a terrible idea. It's not that I don't think the story is worthy of retelling or fitting for today's young audiences, but I think that using a CG/LiveAction hybrid is a mistake. As an artist, I am all for experimentation and mixed media, but in this case, I believe the hybrid has become a gimmic- like action films overflowing with tired special effects. Until filmmakers start treating this format with a little more artistic finesse, I shudder to think that my childhood faves will be reborn into it. Traditional 2-D animation is an art form that American companies appear to have abandoned for the technological glitz of 3D. I don't have anything against Pixar or Dreamworks- heck I studied some of that- I just don't think traditional Disney has nothing left to offer. Just look at Studio Ghibli! Personally, I think a well-done hand drawn film offers so much more expression, emotion, and general wholesome goodness... not to mention nostalgia. :) I look forward to seeing Disney's latest attempt to jump back into their traditional boots with "The Princess and the Frog," but I hope the days of old-school Disney, "Land Before Time," and "An American Tail" don't disappear for good.

As a side note, I have similar feelings about the new "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs," but that's another matter.