Animated Film Worthy of Nobel Peace Prize

Recently I was introduced to Anime. It's not that I had never seen any, it's that I hadn't really paid any attention, and with a partner that is not fond of animation at all, I don't often explore along such lines. I went to my local video store, and, while perusing other video's ran across an employee who informed me that, though some locations carry an Anime section, they didn't carry any, although I might find the animated X-Men in the kids free section. Obviously this individual knew less about Anime than I did.

However I did not realize that, though it wouldn't classify as Anime, I had in my hands at the time of the conversation, a movie that conformed to my personal definition of Anime: more linear animation with an adult theme intended to make you question current standards. Welcome to Delgo.

This is not a kids movie, although there is nothing in it that necessarily would prevent most kids from viewing it. I doubt most adults will understand the message, much less the children, though it's importance is paramount in our current world. Through the adventures of a handful of teenagers; voiced by Jennifer Love Hewitt as the Princess, Freddie Prinze Jr as Delgo-the boy from the wrong side of the tracks, Chris Kattan as Filo the entertaining side kick, and Val Kilmer as Bogardus-the boy from the right side of the tracks; we see a story of war.

This could be any war, but what makes this film so special is its ability to take us personally out of the conflict, and, while replacing humans with animated species, we are shown how individual human interests can not only create wars, but make them worse, or even bring species together in spite of mis-understandings and personal agendas. This should be required viewing for anyone in a position of power, be it governments, or corporations. We can all learn something from the mis-understandings and mistakes made by the characters.

If you are not interested in film as a learning experience, you are still likely to be impressed by the visuals and voices of the rest of the cast. Michael Clarke Duncan, and Louis Gossett Jr carry out their voices of authority in such a way as to put the meek at ease, while Burt Reynolds stirs up remembrances of an easier age and Anne Bancroft, as the villain Sedessa seductively creeps out the strongest viewers. Not only do these familiar voices encourage the viewer to take this piece of animation seriously, the entire cast is full of familiar names that lend credibility to the adult viewer.

This 2008 film may not have received awards at the time, but I personally find it more worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize than any single individual. Its study of conflict applies to us all.