It is an utter travesty to say that animated films, a medium that specializes in colorful and intricate depictions of landscapes, characters and more, are unable to capture something as complex as emotions.
Unlike live-action movies, emotions have the ability to be emphasized and enhanced by artists so that the audience can understand and resonate with them. By telling stories intensified by raw pathos, animated films such as “Toy Story” and “My Neighbor Totoro” have captured the hearts of viewers while winning numerous awards in the process.
To undermine the emotions that these animated films faithfully try to depict would be a straight-up insult to the writers, directors and artists who’ve worked on them.
Take, for example, “The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story.” Even though it technically isn’t a feature film, it nonetheless gives the audience a look into the power that animation has when portraying natural feelings. The genius behind the short film isn’t from the bombastic action that the friendly neighborhood hero is usually known for, but in Miles Morales’ personal struggle with mental health as he tries to walk a tight line between being a normal teen and fighting crime as Spider-Man.
As the film progresses, the pressure of balancing two lives begins to weigh on Miles. His fractured mental state is placed on full display with ragged breath and visible sweatline pouring from his head. Voice cracks can be heard as he tries to dispel all of his bad thoughts.
The film climaxes when Miles’ fears manifest in the form of a giant spider, in which Miles self-destructs from all of the pressure that he’s bottled up, where viewers can visually see his anxiety. Although the short film does conclude on a happy ending, it is worth noting that the stressed feeling that Miles gradually accumulates is almost reminiscent of that of the Carmy’s cooking scenes from “The Bear.” Viewers are more likely to relate to animated characters because they can better visualize their own struggles and anxieties in them, especially when it comes to relatable challenges like balancing work and personal life.
In addition, the movie “Soul” portrays existential themes more boldly than any other live-action film. The thoughts and feelings of Joe Gardner, the film’s protagonist, are placed on full display as he struggles to choose between chasing his lifelong dream of being a jazz musician and being content with where he’s currently at. After falling into a manhole and reaching the afterlife, Joe meets a soul known as “22,” in which they head off on a series of adventures while trying to find the meaning of life.
What sets “Soul” apart is its ability to paint complex emotions through simple human experiences, such as having meaningful conversations, eating food and feeling the wind. The feelings of euphoria and satisfaction that the characters share surpass what traditional live-action movies attempt to show for human emotions and feelings. “Soul” also shows viewers beautiful colors, sounds and expressions which make the human experience special — something that hasn’t been matched in live-action movies with actors.
Furthermore, animation is just as capable as portraying human emotions as actors. Films such as “The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story” and “Soul” are perfect examples of how filmmakers can portray human emotions with depth and nuance by crafting creative visuals that just can’t be achieved in live-action movies.
It’s about time that people start to acknowledge this.
