Many animation fans were disappointed when famed animated film director Brad Bird opted to join the ranks of the live action elite, by helming the upcoming Mission: Impossible sequel Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.
Fans of Bird’s high-profile Pixar film The Incredibles, who are still holding out hope for an Incredibles 2, should brace for bad news. Brad Bird is done with animation and he couldn’t be happier – at least according to his Winsor McCay Award acceptance speech.
While many moviegoers were anxiously awaiting new trailers for blockbuster films such as Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Captain America, Super 8, and Battle: Los Angeles during this Sunday’s Super Bowl, on Saturday night the International Animated Film Society gathered to celebrate the best animated films of the the past year.
DreamWorks Pictures’ How to Train your Dragon won best picture at the ceremony – with Pixar’s Day & Night winning for best short subject.
The ASIFA-Hollywood also honored Brad Bird with the Winsor McCay award. For anyone unfamiliar with the award, here’s the official history, and past winners, from the ASIFA:
“The award is named in honor of animator Winsor McCay, best known as a prolific artist and pioneer in the art of comic strips and animation, the Winsor McCay Award stands as one of the highest honors given to an individual in the animation industry in recognition for career contributions to the art of animation.”
Check out the video of Bird’s “revealing” acceptance speech below (jump ahead to 4:30):
Bird is certainly deserving of the praise he’s received for his animation work (he also received Oscar wins for The Incredibles and Ratatouille, as well as other award wins) but it would have been a shame if he had actually been serious.
Thankfully, the acceptance speech was actually just a chance for Bird to poke fun at Hollywood as well as an opportunity for Tom Cruise to continue his journey of self-depricating humor with the intention of getting back into the good graces of movie-goers. Having Simon Pegg at your side certainly doesn’t hurt.
For a full list of The Annie Award winners – check out the official ASIFA-Hollywood site.
Follow us on Twitter @benkendrick and @screenrant and let us know what your favorite animated film was this year.
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol hits theaters December 16, 2011.
Source: The Annie Awards
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Hahaha, I was wondering why he was talking awkwardly and the camera was so close at first.
Seriously, Tom Cruise needs to do a comedy. Whatever happened to that Hardy Boys movie he was gonna do with Ben Stiller.
That was funny….
Yeah, I can dig the Cruise man, sure, sure ,Scientology is a load of crap.
But at least he does not take himself so damn serious….
Yes Mister Bale….I’m lookin at you, and moving a lamp or two.
Gotta agree there, I find Cruise to be weird beyond belief but at least the guy seems to have a sense of humour about himself.
Well at least Bale will have an Oscar and multiple other awards this year compared to the big fat 0 Cruise has on his shelf.
Scientology is a cult!
I certainly do not support Scientology…. But remember; every religion is a cult. Every religion is mythology, except the one you personally believe in or subscribe to…
One day Christianity will be referred to as “Christian Mythology” just like we refer to the ancient Greek religion as “Greek Mythology”. It’s all about perspective.
The ancient Greek religion was just as real to those people as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and any other “current” religion is today to those who believe, “Scientology” included.
In. Your. Opinion.
Vic (restraining himself)
Your restraint to react negatively to my comment is understandable. Human culture has always been defensive and protective when it comes to their religion of choice. I’m sure the Ancient Greeks were just as protective of their religion… a religion we today refer to as “Mythology”. As I said, it’s about perspective.
Yeah, OK, whatever, bud.
Sorry most of us aren’t as enlightened as you are.
Best regards,
Vic
My apologies if I offended you. Perhaps the following definition may offer some elightenment:
“Zealot”
World English Dictionary
zealot (ˈzɛlət)
— n
an immoderate, fanatical, or extremely zealous adherent to a cause, esp a religious one.
[C16: from Late Latin zēlōtēs, from Greek, from zēloun to be zealous, from zēlos zeal ]
—Synonyms: extremist, crank, bigot. See “fanatic”.
Have a nice day!
Nice. “My apologies if I offend you” and then you go on to offend me even more.
Typical.
Have a nice day yourself.
Vic
I was only offering the tile and definition for those who vehemently defend their religion/cult/mythology of choice.
I meant “title” not “tile”. See what happens when you become dependent on instant spell check?
Fine, let’s just call it a day on this shall we?
Thanks,
Vic
This is really eloquently put. I enjoyed this comment :]
Tom Cruise can be pretty funny at times I agree. I remember some ad for a talk show or something where the guy rescued Cruise from a burning building and Cruise got him to go back in. That one was pretty funny I thought.
Shame Brad may not return to animation because I’ve really enjoyed his stuff. One work of his that should be mentioned is The Iron Giant, which was a fantastic film that Warner Bros. screwed up in marketing.
Hahaha!
I would like to speak with mr. Bird please. Thank you