A taste of independence.(animated movies)(Editorial)

It's been just over a decade now since Pixar introduced us to the colorful world of CG features, giving us Toy Stow, and with it, a taste for the visually compelling medium of CGI. Before we could ooh and ah over the technological leaps that refined the look of the lovable toys in Toy Story 2, we welcomed invasions of digital insects in Disney/Pixar's A Bug's Life and PDI/DreamWorks' Antz.

In 2001, these animation/technology powerhouses continued to hone their craft in Monsters, Inc., and Shrek. That same year, two newcomers to the field of CG animated features left their mark, as well: Square Pictures, with Final Fantasy, and DNA Productions, with Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. Considered independent studios, both were backed by a big name: Square, with its hugely popular computer game group, and DNA, with producer Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies. Still, these two films showed there was room for smaller teams to play alongside the "big hitters." In March 2002, Blue Sky Studios (subsequently bought by 20th Century Fox) entered the fray with Ice Age. And last year, Vanguard Animations released Valiant, though the movie failed to take off in the US--a rare occurrence for a 3D animated feature--despite its Disney distribution connection.

Until this year, semi-independent studios making their mark in the CG animated feature realm were the exception, not the rule. But in 2006, a revolution of sorts occurred. Indeed, audiences were entertained by the woodland creatures in PDI/DreamWorks' Over the Hedge, the vehicles with character in Disney/Pixar's Cars, the unwelcoming home in Sony Pictures Imageworks' Monster House, the animal "hunters" in Imageworks' Open Season, and the elaborate underground world of Aardman/DreamWorks' Hushed Away. Yet, the year began with an independent spirit, starting with the fractured fairy tale ...