Leaving Shrek Behind: Animated Films for Adults

It's unclear when it happened, but at some point, animation - or cartoons, if you will - became seen as merely children's entertainment. While many people argue that the trend began with the beginning of film merchandising or the dumbing down of society, the low-down dirty truth of the matter is that animation is no more "just for kids" than popsicles are "just for summer."

However, it's no secret that many of the animated features and series that are out there for public consumption just don't hold very much interest for many of today's adults. In light of this, here are a few animated features and series that prove that not all animation must be of the green ogre variety.

The Iron Giant

"The Iron Giant" is perhaps one of the most satisfying animated films in terms of story that has graced the screen in years. When a young boy befriends an over-sized alien robot, it's no surprise that the two become inseparable. Unfortunately, the government has other plans for The Iron Giant. As The Iron Giant learns to care for his new friend and learns to love the planet he has crashed upon, he must come to grips with his own inner nature and the fact that he was built to destroy. "The Iron Giant" evokes the best attributes of films such as "E.T. The Extra Terrestrial" and "Frankenstein." A brilliantly tender-hearted movie, those who have never watched "The Iron Giant" will marvel at how deftly the film handles many complicated issues. Directed by Brad Bird, who went on to direct "The Incredibles" and "Ratatouille" for Disney, "The Iron Giant" will be remembered long after the screen fades to black.

Spirited Away

With the popularity of Japanese animation, more and more animated Japanese features are finally receiving the mainstream attention they deserve. "Spirited Away", directed by Hayao Miyazaki (Princess Mononoke), is both stunning in its animation and so imaginative that it will make many of today's over-hyped, heavy-on-the-effects fantasy films look as plain as a mustard sandwich. The film is also a deep one that continually sparks debate among fans as to what the characters represent and what the central theme of the film actually is. "Spirited Away" challenges the notions of good and evil that are usually so cut-and-dry within children's entertainment suggesting that good and evil are relative to the atmosphere and the circumstances surrounding oneself.

The Adventures of Mark Twain

Before Will Vinton became well known as the man behind the popular "California Raisins" of the 1980s, he produced a film based on the works and life of Mark Twain, "The Adventures of Mark Twain." The film was one that went largely unnoticed, but is still remembered by children of the 80s who had the Disney Channel and HBO fed into their living room via coaxial cable. The story surrounds Mark Twain and his quest to ride Haley's Comet to his destiny (for those unfamiliar with the story, Mark Twain is noted for saying that since he was born when Haley's Comet came in, he would one day fulfill his destiny and "ride out" with it). The basis of the story is one that is already mired in morbidity, but the situation becomes even more complex when three children, Tom, Becky and Huck - Twain's own brainchildren - decide to try and stop Mr. Twain. What transpires is a trip through Twain's work with some dark and disturbing stops along the way.

Perhaps one stop that is remembered most vividly by children that happened upon this film was "the Satan sequence." Said to have been based on Twain's story, "The Mysterious Stranger," the three children come face to face with the Prince of Darkness in a sequence that is so deep and disturbing, yet brilliantly executed, that it remains with you long after you've watched it. A scene that caused many a cold chill to travel down childrens' spines, this scene was later edited out of The Disney Channel's version as it was felt to be too dark for younger viewers. Ya think?

Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law

Cartoon Network's Adult Swim is television for kids raised on drug-induced cartoons and commercials for sugary cereal. Adult Swim's "Harvey Birdman" takes the characters we grew up with, such as Scooby Doo and Fred Flintstone, and places them within the adult world of litigation and real world politics. Harvey Birdman plays legal counsel to the legally dimwitted toons and provides those of us who grew up with visions of Super-Friends and "yabba dabba do" with entertainment at the expense of our childhood heroes.

Animaniacs

Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, "Looney Toons," "Animaniacs" entertained children with slapstick humor while integrating a number of adult-themed jokes and gags aimed at the parents who watched along with their children. As a result, "Animaniacs" quickly developed an adult following. The series played upon a number of pop-culture references that only adults could truly appreciate while still employing a wacky sense of humor that all ages could enjoy.

Disney's "Hercules"

Count me as one of those who just can't quite understand the bashing of this film. Perhaps it's simply a film that adults can appreciate more than the younger set. First of all, the film's heroine, Megara, isn't your shrinking violet. She's tough, brazen and faulty. You can't trust her, but you can't help but feel sorry for her as well. Speed up the clock and she'd be the down-on-her-luck street chick who was just one payment away from being the footnote in an episode of Law and Order: SVU. With scenes of an animated underworld complete with cartoon souls being transported across the River Styx, this isn't your average Disney film. While the film makes some major changes to classic mythology, fans of the cheese-tastic "Clash of the Titans" will still get a kick out of the mythical elements of the film. Plus, the film's gospel-feel soundtrack is both ironic and rousing.

These examples are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to animation that is not only visually stunning, but also tells a story worth watching. Undiscovered, fantastic animation is all around us - especially with the availability of online video. Animation was never meant to be a children's only format, but a way to not only tell a story that was more fitting for animation, but also to pair art with film. You'll be amazed at just how many mature, visually satisfying animated films are out there when you just begin to look.

You can find more articles by Kelly by visiting her content producer's page.