MnMEars

This is my favorite animated film of the year thus far — in part because it honors the two oldest hand-crafted forms of animation; it dares to educate adults and children alike just a bit while it also entertains; and finally, because it shows everyone that greatness isn’t dependent on a massive budget. This simple but beautiful film was made for less than $10 million. It benefits with all the hard work and heart that made its way to the screen. It took more than 10 years to raise the money — including $100,000 on Kickstarter — and two more years in production to actually get the movie into theaters. The story focuses on the last three years of Leonardo’s life (Stephen Fry) as he liost his patron and stopped working for the Pope in Italy (a bombastically funny Max Berry) and joins the court of young King Francis the first (Gauthier Battoue),, who wants da Vinci to elevate his position among the fraternity of kings. Francis tasks the aging but still inquisitive genius to plan a gala, design some weapons and create a statue to impress his battling peers. . Instead, Leonardo proposes the construction of an “ideal city,” which appeals to Francis’ sister, Marguerite (Daisy Ridley). She’s a strong, fascinating princess based on a real person. She’s not seeking true love and rescue in some fairytale. Marguerite is also intrigued by da Vinci’s efforts an an anatomist to find physical proof of the immortal human soul. The great thinker’s revelation toward the end of the film is fascinating .— and quite satisfying. This little underdog deserves consideration for an Academy Award nomination as Best Animated Feature. Stop bemoaning the death of hand-drawn animation and support it by seeing it beautifully blended here with stop-motion puppetry in “The Inventor.” As Jim Capobianco said: “… In 10, 20 or 30 years time, we hope that stop-motion animation and 2D hand-drawn animation is still being made for audiences all over the world. We hope to inspire the next generation of animators and Leonardos of the 21st century. To empower people of all ages to see themselves as the innovators of tomorrow as well as today.”