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'Masterfully handling vast amounts of sources, this engagingly written book combines concise film analyses with the discussion of relevant film industrial and cultural contexts. It focuses on the contemporary period but also covers key developments in feature animation in the United States since the 1930s. This is essential reading for anyone interested in American animation or, more generally, in American cinema and culture.' Peter Krämer, Leicester Media School at De Montfort University 'Overturning prejudices that have often marginalised the study of mainstream animation, Brown provides a compelling overview of post-1990s Hollywood animation. Detailing the contributions of Disney, DreamWorks, LAIKA and Pixar, amongst others, Brown establishes a nuanced history that promotes a rich understanding of computer-based, hand-drawn, and stop-motion animation in equal measure.' Chris Pallant, Canterbury Christ Church University Until the 1990s, animation occupied a relatively marginal presence in Hollywood. Today, it is at the very heart of both the film industry and contemporary popular culture. Charting the major changes and continuities in Hollywood animation over the past thirty years, this groundbreaking book offers an authoritative history of Hollywood animation since the 1990s. Analysing dozens of key films, including The Lion King, Toy Story, Shrek, Despicable Me, Frozen and Moana, it examines the emergence of new genres and stylistic approaches, as well as the ongoing blurring of boundaries between animation and live-action. Identifying narrative and thematic patterns, and developments in industry and style, the book explores how animation in the United States both responds to and recapitulates the values, beliefs, hopes and fears of the nation. Noel Brown is Senior Lecturer in Media and Communication at Liverpool Hope University. Cover image: Frozen (2013, animated) Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee. Disney/Photofest (c) Disney Cover design: [EUP logo] edinburghuniversitypress.com ISBN 978-1-4744-1056-4 Barcode
About the author
Noel Brown is Associate Professor in Film at Liverpool Hope University, UK. He has written several books on aspects of children's film, family entertainment and animation, including
Contemporary Hollywood Animation (2021),
The Children's Film (2017),
British Children's Cinema (2016) and
The Hollywood Family Film (2012). He is also editor of
The Oxford Handbook of Children's Film (2022), and series editor of 'Children's Film and Television' for Edinburgh University Press.
Summary
Analysing dozens of key animated films, the book examines the emergence of new genres and stylistic approaches, as well as the ongoing blurring of boundaries between animation and live-action and explores how animation in the United States both responds to and recapitulates the values, beliefs, hopes and fears of the nation.
