Animation Blurb

So much has been covered since I last blogged on animation, so I’ll make some of these announcements rather brief.

Bob Iger seems really sincere about keeping the sanctity of 2D animation. He’s seen stuff from the new movie “Enchanted” – a half animated movie – and he loves it. Said something about it being great and all that. SCORE!

A sequel to “Chicken Little” has been scrapped. Somehow, this news sends positive tingles down my spine. I should be rejoicing.

“Doogal” formerly known as “The Magic Roundabout” in the UK, has been out for a few days now. CGI animated film, 2,318 theatres showing it, An all star cast of U.S. American dubbed voices…and it’s eating box office pavement. Even though these movies are supposed to automatically make box office gold, right? (Makes note to watch the movie anyway just to see how I like it.)

So after all that happy, happy news, here’s something that’s just weird:

"Who Framed Roger Rabbit" could be out of the picture in China, along with many other cartoon favorites.

China has announced a ban on TV shows and movies that blend animated elements with live-action actors, a move aimed at nurturing local animators and apparently curbing the use of foreign cartoons.

Hmm. Banning movies that have cartoon and live action elements? What’s the deal with that? And foreign cartoons? I guess China just got tired of the United States and Japan totally ruling the animation industry. When was the last time a huge hit animated movie came from China? Although nobody does kung fu cinema like they do. Heck, they created it.

Besides "Roger Rabbit," the 1988 feature film in which actor Bob Hoskins performed beside several animated characters, popular children's TV shows featuring human hosts and animated elements such as "Blue's Clues" from the United States and Britain's "Teletubbies" could be included in the ban. And "Space Jam," the 1996 film featuring basketball great Michael Jordan alongside Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd and Daffy Duck could also be shelved.

The government's main television and film regulator sent notice Feb. 15 to broadcasters and theaters that such films and shows could no longer be shown and that violators would be punished. It did not say what the penalties would be.

It also did not give examples of banned programs but described them as "so-called cartoons that mainly feature real people and only occasionally have computer-generated elements."

OK, this is just getting more and more weird. The Chinese TV networks will be penalized if they show live action animation hybrids. That alone is just harsh. Where do they go next with this? Are they gonna ban Star Wars too? Seriously, China, what’s all the hubbub about?

Communist authorities are eager to expand the country's animation industry and also are worried about the influence of foreign pop culture on Chinese children.

The cartoon ban is intended to "promote the development and prosperity of the cartoon industry in China," said the statement issued by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

They want to expand their own animation enterprises, so they’re going to ban foreign films and TV shows that are half animated and half live action. And if TV execs disagree, they will be PUNISHED. Boy, am I glad to be a U.S. American.