Viewer choices.(Editor's Note)(Editorial)

When I was a child, going to the movies on a Saturday afternoon was a treat. That's because films geared to youngsters were few and far between. In 1971, for instance, Disney released two family movies: The Million Dollar Duck and Bedknobs and Broomsticks. In fact, between 1960 and 1970, the studio rolled out fewer than 10 films for this audience, and not even half of those were (traditionally) animated features. And back then, Disney had a tight grip on the animated film genre, as only a few 2D animated movies from other studios, such as Hanna-Barbera, made it into theaters.

Today, the situation couldn't be more different. Old-fashioned theaters with a single screen and single projector have given way to multiplexes, so moviegoers can choose from among 10, 20, or even more films at any given time. With all this opportunity, studios, including Disney/Pixar, Sony Pictures Imageworks, PDI/DreamWorks, and others, have churned out animated hit after hit. This year alone audiences have been entertained by the lovable robot Wall-e, the pampered zoo crew from Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, the stuffy martial artists of Kung Fu Panda, the Suessian characters from Horton Hears a Who!, and more. Far more.

In 2008 alone, we were treated to nearly the same number of animated theatrical releases that were available during the decade from 1960 to 1970.

This month, Disney has unleashed its latest film star, Bolt, who stars in a feature with the same name (see "Back to the Future," pg. 20). Bolt has a unique look. It is not exactly the same style as the traditional 2D Disney films from the studio's second Golden Age. Yet, considering that ...