As a kid you wish, hell you believe your animals can really talk to you, and while you sit in the backroom of the house conversing over oxygen tea with your pup, your mom wonders why? For decades movies have told us animals can talk, from the evils brought to life in Animal Farm to the icky of Joe’s Apartment. So in the spirit of Kevin James’ Zookeeper hitting theaters this weekend we thought we’d take a whack at counting down the top ten movies starring animals from all walks of life, be them two or four legged, animated or live action. They are ten movies with characters that no matter what mom says, have voices of their own and make us fall in love with them every time they open their mouths.
An American Tale (1986)
Americans are all immigrants and when you’re a kid, you don’t really understand the magnitude of the history this movie entails…All we know is that the leading mouse is cute, has a badass hat and takes us on an adventurous time. Plus, he’s got a best friend who’s an overweight cat…Yes, Paula Abdul, opposites do attract.
Kung Fu-Panda (2008)
How do you manage to make a panda even cuter? Make him a bumbling noodle slinger who beats the odds to become a kung-fu master, duh.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
Animated, pizza loving turtles who kicked ass were transformed into (on the verge of creepy looking) live-action, action heroes after years of being two dimensional. And when they were they earned their way into classic characters forever.
The Land Before Time (1988)
A gang of little dinos headed by the sweetheart Little Foot, takes matters into their own hands when an “earthshake” separates them from their herds. Okay, it doesn’t sound like the best kids movie, but it is. And it’s been 23 years since this came out and since then has spawned 12 sequels, but the first one will always remain the classic one that all kids need to have in their life. Instead of the usual cutesy puppies and kittens we’re used to, The Land Before Time put life in animals we just couldn’t see around the neighborhood.
Alvin & The Chipmunks (2007)
Alvin, Simon and Theodore were “child” actors way before Disney and Nickelodeon started churning them out one after the other. So it wasn’t a surprise when they were able to go from a retired Saturday morning cartoon to a revamped, 3D screen, proving that it doesn’t matter what generation you introduce these rodents to, they will make said generation fall in love with them.
Dr. Dolittle (1998)
You can’t mention talking animals without this one. I’m not talking about that one from when hippies roamed the earth, I’m referring to the masterpiece (okay so let’s use that term lightly) starring Eddie Murphy. This is one of those rare, live action movies where the animals and humans actually interact…Yeah; they think Eddie’s crazy for it, but who cares when Chris Rock is a wise cracking guinea pig?
The Lion King (1994)
Remember that time that you were excited to watch Lion King for the first time because you were in love with Jonathan Taylor Thomas and he was going to voice the adorable Simba, and then Mufasa bit the dust and you balled? Well besides Lion King making you reach for the tissues too soon, it’s got one of the best Disney movie soundtracks…ever and before Princess and the Frog was the closest Disney ever came to having a black cast. Yeah, I said it, but as a little black kid, this is what I thought about.
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)
Chance, Sassy and Shadow; three pet names that probably sky rocketed in ‘93 because of a movie that is less about the newly married mother of three to a dude her kids are on edge about and more about the pet trio ditching out on their sitter in search of the family they think abandoned them. Braving mountains, nature and wild animals, the pair of dogs and their finicky kitty find their way home but not without ripping out your heart, freaking Shadow.
Finding Nemo (2003)
When watching Finding Nemo, all one can think is, was Ariel from The Little Mermaid stealing all the fishes thunder?
Milo & Otis (1986)
It doesn’t always have to be spectacular in graphics or special effects to get the job done. The simple story of a precious orange kitty and a spunky pug told through their inner dialogue can only cause one to just sit and go “awe.” I’ll always wonder why my mom didn’t just buy this for me since I rented it every weekend on pay day. Anyone want to get this for me in the Wal-Mart five dollar bin?
