Opinion Battles Round 9
Favourite Talking Animal
Over the years we have found ourselves cheering for animals in movies, be it animated or live action this has grown our love for these animals over time. We have seen our fair share of good but we have also seen our fair share of sinister villains. Today we will be picking our favorite Talking Animals, but which one made the most sense?
If you want to join the next round of Opinion Battles we will be take on our Favourite Asian Language Film, to enter email your choice to [email protected] by 14th May 2017.
Darren – Movie Reviews 101
Scar – The Lion King
I have picked Scar from Lion King because when you watch this all singing and all dancing movie it is the character of Scar that makes everything unfold in the story, be it trying to trick Simba into exploring by taking him to the Elephant Graveyard or leading him to the canyon. Yes he is the villain of the story and with the truly sinister voice of Jeremy Irons we get a villain that will always be one that stands out for me through all of the Disney films.
Kim – Tranquil Dreams
Babe – Babe
One of my best memories of 90s movies goes to Babe, the little pig who was adopted by a farmer and eventually trained to do the task of a sheepdog, breaking all the expectations and fighting for his own freedom outside from being sent to the slaughterhouse. Who says a runt can’t do big things, right? Babe is a fun little movie also, full of talking animals who tells us that we can do lots of things as long as we use our heart. Babe doesn’t just herd sheep with aggression like sheep dogs does, but he talks to them and becomes their friend and cares for them. There’s a lot of great messages here bundled all together.
Crush – Finding Nemo
My favorite talking animal in a movie obviously has to be one from a Pixar or a Disney movie. There are so many good ones in those, though, so it was actually really hard to choose! Do I go with a classic, like Thumper in Bambi or Baloo in The Jungle Book? Or a more modern character like Dory in Finding Nemo? What about 101 Dalmatians – I adore that movie but which character out of 101 of them?! 😉 Then there are The AristoCats – I love those swingin’ cats! Okay, I better answer. I’m going to go more modern & choose a Pixar character. My answer is Crush from Finding Nemo. Duuuuuuude. I love that laidback, surfing turtle. I almost chose Squirt because he’s beyond adorable but Crush makes me smile every time. How funny that he’s actually voiced by the director, Andrew Stanton. Sweet creation. Righteous, dude! Gimme some fin.
Rob – Movie Rob
Babe
This loveable swine was all the rage in ’95. The effects are done quite well to make it really seem as if he and the rest of the animals are truly interacting
Gill – Realweegiemidget Reviews
Charlotte – Charlotte’s Web (1973)
This is my first entry to Opinion Battles. which was recommended to me by a lovely fellow film blogger., EmmaKWall. On writing to Darren, he invited me to add a review on my favorite talking animal in the movies. My favorite talking animal has to be Charlotte the spider in Charlotte’s Web (1973). This film has been made twice – once as a cartoon and once with live animals – although Charlotte was CGI then! Admittedly, I prefer the first cartoon version where she was voiced by the late great Debbie Reynolds (the wonderful Carrie Fishers mum) and not the one with Julia Roberts. Which looks like the further adventures of Babe.
The story tells us about a piglet who is the smallest in his litter. He’s kept and brought up by Fern, the farmers daughter. On hearing he’s going to be killed, he becomes depressed and a lovely wee spider, Charlotte makes friends with him. Charlotte then tries to save him from the chop (pun intended) by spinning some fantastic webs saying how cool he is. Anyway, without telling you more on the plot I’d advise you to keep the tissues handy as this 1973 spin (pun intended) on the story will possibly get you in tears…
Rachel – 54 Disney Reviews
Babe
My favorite talking animal is Babe from Babe and Babe: Pig in the City. Not only is the mixture of real pigs and puppetry perfect in this film but it has so much heart. I love Babe as a character as he tries to save himself and then his friend. Friendship is a heavy theme of both movies including the friendship between humans and animals. Christine Cavanaugh voices Babe and she gives just the right level of cuteness without it becoming cloying.
Babe: Pig in the City is too different for some folks but that’s what I love about it. It’s a thoroughly unique adventure for our adorable little pig. Give both films a watch and I think you will really enjoy them.
Damien Riley – Riley Film Reviews
Wallace – Tusk
“Your life as you knew it, Mr. Bryton, is over. Should you wish to continue living, you will be a walrus…or you will be nothing at all.” -Howard Howe
Of all the talking animals in movies, I think the walrus in Kevin Smith’s “Tusk” film is the best. We best remember his deep words such as “Oh no no no no” upon the event of his first swim and “Ahhhhhhhh” upon the realization of what he has in fact become. These are samples of spoken word in script that move me so. In going for him, you can in a way help poor Wallace. Those big eyes are looking up at you from a dog bowl. They are saying: vote for Tusk for best talking animal in a film.
Tom – Plain Simple Tom Reviews
Baloo – The Jungle Book
While I’m sure that there’s so many Disney/Pixar talking animals to choose from, surely ol’ poppa bear himself is one of the most lovable. With his laid back attitude and protective nature, he’s the friend we all wish we could have and is voiced perfectly by both Phil Harris and Bill Murray.
And he sure knows how to party – maaaaan!
S.G. Liput – Rhyme and Reason
Paulie
While all manner of animated animals came to mind, I had to go with a childhood favorite of mine, which I’m betting few have even heard of. Paulie from 1998 is about a parrot (a blue-crowned conure or parakeet) whose young owner Marie teaches him how to speak, and he turns out to have more intelligence than the average birdbrain. Separated from his beloved Marie, he gets passed from owner to owner over years, trying to get back to her, and the end result is a really sweet and funny film. While Tony Shalhoub and Gena Rowlands distinguish the human cast, Jay Mohr is perfect as the titular bird, full of wisecracking attitude. A lot of the film has to do with Paulie learning when to speak and when not to, so he fits the bill as my favorite talking movie animal.
Emma – Emma Explains It All
Brian – Family Guy
My favorite thing with Brian has to be when he’s being incredibly pretentious and thinks he’s the most intelligent guy in the room. He inevitably embarrasses himself and ends up looking the complete opposite of the dog he so wants to be. His friendship with Stewie, which develops more as each season goes by, is fantastic too and makes one of my favorite TV double acts of all time.
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