Renaissance [Christian Volckman, 2006]

As I left the cinema I heard several people saying the film
was `visually stunning'. That's almost an understatement: I think
it is the most impressive `animation' film I've seen – to look at,
anyway. And there's the problem – the story is mediocre and
clichéd, leaving just a beautiful husk.

A wasted opportunity.

[IMDB link: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0386741/ ]

A Scanner Darkly [Richard Linklater, 2006]

As with Renaissance, here is an animated film which looks good, but
which is badly let down by its content. At least in this instance
the story has some potential, but it's a lost opportunity: Philip K
Dick's source material is somehow turned into something bland and
unconvincing.

[IMDB link: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0405296/ ]

Little Fish [Rowan Woods, 2005]

On the way home, I read a rather damning review of Little Fish that
complained how long it takes for the characters to be fully
explained in the storyline. I couldn't disagree strongly enough.
The great strength of this film is the manner in which it gradually
reveals the characters to the audience. This means that the film
becomes as much a journey of understanding and empathy for the
audience, as an emotional journey for the characters themselves.

Cate Blanchett is brilliant in the lead role; but this is a story
which is as much about the network of people surrounding her. The
supporting cast are fantastic, in particular Hugo Weaving and Sam
Neill. These are performances of great conviction and authenticity.

[IMDB link: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0382810/ ]