Worst2First: My Top Ten Films That Blend Animation and Live Action

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Worst2First: 
My Top Ten Films That Blend
Animation and Live Action
Many films are strictly live action, and many films are strictly animation.  Yet there's a few films out there that brilliantly blur the lines between reality and fantasy, and gift us with the best of both worlds.

Here are my personal top ten films that blend animation and live action, worst2first...



**THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS**


#10
Looney Tunes: Back in Action

In this sequel to another Looney Tunes movie, everyone's lovable animated characters are back in the real world to prevent the evil Acme president (played by Steve Martin) from finding the blue monkey diamond, which would turn mankind into monkeys.  Brendan Frasier and Jenna Elfman help the animated characters in their quest, which is filled with tongue-in-cheek humor, sight gags and (mostly) family-friendly comedy.  It also co-stars Heather Locklear, Joan Cusack, Timothy Dalton and Ron Perlman.










#9
Osmosis Jones

Chris Rock voices Osmosis Jones, a white blood cell who aims to protect the body of Frank (played in live action by Bill Murray), who is experiencing a sickness.  It's a fantastical adventure in the body of a man done through fun animation with famous voice actors (including Laurence Fishburne, David Hyde Pierce, Brandy Norwood and William Shatner). 










#8
James and the Giant Peach

Mixing live action with stop-motion animation, "James and the Giant Peach" is the film adaptation of the beloved children's classic by Roald Dahl about a young boy who travels inside a magical peach and finds a whole new world with new friends and adventures.  The film is directed by Henry Selick, who also directed the perennial favorite "The Nightmare Before Christmas," and is just as entertaining and imaginative as anything he's done before.










#7
Pete's Dragon

Back in the late 70s, Walt Disney pictures created a film that blended animation and live action in a way that was almost flawless, especially for it being so long ago.  The film centers around a young boy who befriends a dragon that can turn invisible, and their adventures.  It's a classic family friendly adventure filled with slapstick humor, humorous action and a touching story at its center.










#6
Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Angela Lansbury stars as an up-and-coming witch who wants to take out the Nazi soldiers during the Battle of Britain.  She enlists the help of three wayward children and the head of her witch school to stop them by traveling around on a magical bed.  For a film that came out in 1971, it was very impressive to see the blend of animation and live action, and continues to this day to be a whimsical adventure the entire family can enjoy together.










#5
Enchanted

Princess Giselle is banished from her land of Andalasia and sent to the real world in New York City, where a divorce lawyer comes to her aid and tries to help her return to her home, while she's being hunted by the evil witch who banished her and also pursued by her own Prince Charming who traveled to the modern world to find her.  Amy Adams is absolutely perfect for the role, playing a naive woman who lived in a world of happiness and joy, and suddenly finds herself in a world of sadness and anger.  Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden and Susan Sarandon also star in this enchanting tale of happily ever after.










#4
Mary Poppins

In 1965, Walt Disney brought to life the story of Mary Poppins, a magical nanny who watches over two young children as she takes them on beautiful adventures with her Cockney performer friend, as well as instilling in the children the value of laughter and fun.  The film was nominated for thirteen Academy Awards, winning five - including one for Julie Andrews for Best Actress.  The film also stars Dick Van Dyke and features some of cinema's most iconic songs including "A Spoonful of Sugar" and the ever infectious "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocius."  The film was such a massive success for Walt Disney, it allowed him to purchase land in Florida to build Walt Disney World.











#3
Space Jam

When Bugs Bunny's world is threatened by an alien force, he challenges them to a basketball game to determine their fate.  To ensure their victory, Bugs teleports basketball great Michael Jordan to his world, and he leads their team.  The film is fun, funny, and includes some of the best basketball players to ever play the game including Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Shawn Bradley and Larry Johnson.










#2
The LEGO Movie

What child hasn't grown up with LEGO?  The first major motion picture includes a live-action scene that ties the entire story together, and is the heart and soul of the entire picture.  The film follows Emmet, an ordinary guy who becomes the savior of his world as he battles against the evil Lord Business, who wishes to build the ultimate weapon known as the Kragle.  The film was a solid hit due to stunning animation, a heartwarming story, hilarious antics and a knockout voice cast including Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Will Ferrell and Morgan Freeman.










#1
Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Robert Zemeckis directs a once-in-a-lifetime visionary marvel with "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?"  The film was released in 1989, and maintains to the day one of the best live action/animation crossover films in modern history.  The film centers around cartoon character Roger, who is accused of the murder of a man who was with his wife, the sultry Jessica Rabbit.  Private detective Eddie Valiant - who hates cartoons - is brought into the case to help prove Roger's innocence.  The film is revolutionary for its blending of the live action and animation (even earning three Oscar awards for technical categories), and also the first film to feature several beloved cartoon characters together, including Betty Boop, Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Daffy Duck and others.

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