Now that I have recently seen the highly-acclaimed How to Train Your Dragon, I consider myself a valid expert in Dreamworks films. The Dreamworks brand has made as much as Pixar over the years (3.4 billion vs. 2.8 billion), which is thanks to its heavier amount of input and it’s more successful marketing skills (and technically, because their films are much much easier to market). Despite the superior amount of money, Dreamworks really doesn’t even come close to Pixar in terms of animation, reputation, and quality. Despite all this though, they do have their share of great films that are indeed watchable and sometimes even memorable. I am going to rank the top 7 Dreamworks films they’ve released thus far—and I am excluding Megamind (which I have very little faith in…).
Just Missed the Cut: Antz.
Would have been in the top 7 if it weren’t for How to Train Your Dragon. It is one of the few Woody Allen-starring movies I can actually watch.
#7: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
The title makes no sense (they weren’t trying to escape from anywhere in the movie, nor were they trying to fly TO Africa), the sentimental value is silly nonsense, and the lead villain resembles Scar quite a lot (looks AND personality). That being said, the freakin’ penguins are here and just as clever and hilarious as ever. That being said, King Julien was just as silly and unpredictable as in the original. That being said, the movie still is a hoot to watch, especially the opening moments with the airplane scene. This movie is forgettable, but a barrel of laughs nonetheless.
#6: How to Train Your Dragon
While the movie lacks the laughs of the original book, the creators of Lilo and Stitch (before getting fired by the subtly impatient Pixar and switching sides) composed a great script full of deep sentimental value, plenty of action, jaw-dropping aerial scenes, and just an overall satisfactory work of filmmaking. Toy Story 3 is leagues ahead of this picture for the Best Animated Feature category in the Oscars, but if this film doesn’t at least get a nomination, I will be extremely surprised.
#5: Kung Fu Panda
I am not a fan of using popular actors just to voice characters in animated films. Not only do they usually deliver subpar performances, but they sometimes setback the entire film. Kung Fu Panda is an exception, and an example. Lucy Liu, Angelina Jolie, and Seth Rogen could have been replaced by anybody, and it would not have dampened the film (actually, could have improved it). But, Jack Black and especially Dustin Hoffman delivered that extra “oomph” that propelled this movie into new surprising heights. The fight scenes were well-choreographed, the animation was nearly on par with Pixar, and the film’s energy kept you entertained.
#4: Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit
This box-office flop was a magical film that despite not being above and beyond in terms of quality, maintained a steady pace of laughs, thrills, plot twists, and extremely hidden adult humor. This movie proved that Wallace and Gromit do better in a 30-minute format, but that doesn’t mean this movie isn’t watchable. And let’s not forget about those adorable bunnies.
#3: Madagascar
I had no hope in this movie before it came out. No hope whatsoever. Expecting a mediocre Dreamworks effort, I was treated to one of the funniest computer animated movies of all-time. Yes, the heart most certainly is not there (which became the base of all the critic’s complaints) but the fast-paced, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it New York-slapstick-pop culture brand of humor was on par from beginning to end. The cast of characters each had their funny moments, with King Julien and the penguins stealing the show (just like in the sequel). Many one-liners later, this movie easily stands as one of Dreamwork’s best works.
#2: Shrek
The original anti-Disney flick that ruined princess-based movies forever. This movie tore apart the Disney formula and bashed anything that resembles the mighty mouse and his minions. Not only was this movie something that nobody dared to make, but this movie was also hilarious, touching, smart, well-written, well-directed, well-acted, and just an overall amazing piece of work. For the first time in its history, Dreamworks had beaten a Pixar film in terms of money and also in terms of quality. It is just a total shame the sequels totally failed to live up to the original. They honestly weren’t even close.
#1: Chicken Run
Nick Park was already a major success with his Wallace and Gromit creations. However he hit his peak with this fantastically underrated gem. Chicken Run is the cleverest, funniest, and best of the Dreamworks bunch. While this is mildly unfair since it was not as much Dreamworks as it is an Aardman creation, its under the banner so I can/will include it on this list. This movie has it all, excellent and intelligent references, a unique plot, plenty of British charm, great voice acting, and best of all, an action sequence that resembles Indiana Jones. This is easily the best movie to carry the Dreamworks banner.
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