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Fun family activity of the week

“Kung Fu Panda,” Select Medical IMAX Theater at the Whitaker Center; times vary. Should “Kung Fu Panda” make the top kids’ movies list? Check it out and decide for yourself.

By Toni Fitzgerald, Sentinel Reporter, June 25, 2008

Last updated: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 2:41 PM EDT

Every year AFI, the American Film Institute, airs a top 100 special on CBS, like top movie heroes or top movie quotes. This year they’re doing it a bit differently. They chose 10 different categories, like fantasy, gangster, western, romantic comedy and epic, and will count down the top 10 films in each.

This got me thinking. While AFI does include animation, it doesn’t address kids’ films per se; after all, if “Persopolis” and “The Triplets of Belleville” have taught us anything, it’s that animation isn’t just for kiddie films. (The movies also taught us it’s darn near impossible to find these adult animation films in Central Pennsylvania theaters, but that’s another column.)

Considering my son, Eli, owns half the Disney and Pixar library – sorry, Nickelodeon, but we had to draw the line somewhere – I figure I’m as good a judge as anyone of what those top kids’ films might be.

After much debate with my son (age: 3; favorite movie: “Peter Pan”), baby sitter (age: 17; favorite movie: “Anastasia”) and best friend (age: don’t even think about it; favorite kids’ movie: “Goonies”), here’s what we came up with, in no particular order.

1. “Toy Story” (Pixar, 1995) – This movie completely changed the way kids’ films are made, with its computer-generated animation and witty dialogue. These days some kids’ movies seem to be aimed more at adults than children with their pop culture references and double entendres (that’s you, “Shrek 3”). Guaranteed each time you watch it you’ll laugh at something you didn’t notice before.

2. “Shrek” (Dreamworks, 2001) – The unexpected wit of an ogre who belongs in psychotherapy and a talking donkey proved that kids’ films can be silly and still have depth. Too bad each succeeding sequel was a little too proud of its own cleverness.

3. “Aladdin” (Disney, 1992) – A relic of the era of independent Disney princesses, in apparent apology for the feminist nightmares that were “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves,” “Cinderella” and “Sleeping Beauty.” But what really elevates the movie beyond “Beauty and the Beast” level is Robin Williams’ manic Genie, one of the best sidekicks ever.

4. “The Wizard of Oz” (MGM, 1939) – This film remains impossibly relevant nearly 70 years after its release. What kid doesn’t resent their family for ignoring them and dream of getting away? Singing munchkins and what Eli calls the “oh-e-oh’s” (witch’s castle guards) seal the place on this list.

5. “The Lion King” (Disney, 1994) – My baby sitter lobbied hard for this movie, which she argues is the quintessential Disney story – murdered parent, shirked duty, redemption and ultimately revenge. I think it’s too dark for kids (read over those plot points again), but since “Anastasia” didn’t make the list, I’m throwing her a lark.

6. “The Fox and the Hound” (Disney, 1981) – Anyone who had a childhood best friend can relate to this bittersweet tale of growing up and growing apart. It teaches kids that just because you move on doesn’t mean your relationship was any less special.

7. “Annie” (Columbia Pictures, 1982) – I loved this movie so much as a child that I asked my mom if I could move into an orphanage and scrub dirty stairs. She said no, and I actually thought that meant I was not a good enough cleaner to live with Miss Hannigan.

8. “The Goonies” (Amblin Entertainment, 1985) – For a slightly more mature audience, but again dealing with some universal themes: fear of not fitting in, love for your friends, and desire to sail on a pirate ship.

9. “The Sound of Music” (Robert Wise Productions, 1965) – This musical is slightly more accessible than the other Julie Andrews classic, “Mary Poppins.” But they both teach the value of a firm governess and singing your way through sibling rivalry.

10. “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” (Amblin Entertainment, 1988) – Undoubtedly one of the most creative concepts of all time, the film featured some ground-breaking achievements in melding live action and animation. My husband, like many of his generation, still has a thing for Jessica Rabbit.