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Originally Posted by Columbine
I've actually never seen the documentary; I had no idea it existed until you mentioned it. Have to look it up, but no, what made the quirks stand out is that you watch it and think "hey, wow, that's not just a generalized motion- that's really human." An affect that for a 2D hand-drawn animation is real talent and shows real care and attention. Anyone can do research but it takes something more to deliver a 'real' moment in a cartoon fantasy. That's why I think the quirks in asian cinema are a real boon.
I kind of disagree with your view of American film villains- I don't think they ARE humanized. Someone mentioned the villain in The Incredibles. His motive... was banal. "I'm not famous, boo hoo, I'm going to blame you and take a petty revenge", that's not an understanding or humanized that's a cookie-cutter villain who is bad for what boils down to no reason at all. It's "And I would have gotten away with it too...bah!". You're not supposed to really root for them, asides maybe to think them pitiful.
Compare that with Blue Sub 6 in which it starts off with everyone saying the 'villain' is evil, and they are the force of good, but the 'villain''s motive isn't explained at that point and it evolves over the course of the film into a very grey moral area. He wipes out half the human race but only in order to save humanity as a whole, and there you can really see both sides of the equation and your loyalty can go either way. Even the protagonist doesn't want to see him dead. He's twisted, but underneath the twisted-ness is a person who generally wants to do good, for both parties, and moreover is willing to take the punishment it warrants without complaint. "Kill me", he says sincerely, "If it will make you feel better". That is not your usual villain. Princess Monoke is another good example. The leader of Iron Town is foul to the forest spirits, but is simultaneously a philanthropist, adopting ex-prostitutes and lepers no one else would look after with open arms.
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It goes beyond Buddy not being famous. It was the play on the idea of heroes working alone - a Batman and Robin kind of complex. Mr. Incredible out right rejected Buddy. Rejection is something that all humans can recognize and feel. On top of that, Buddy wanted to be special. The idea of being special is something that ran throughout the film. Violet, the daughter, didn't like that she was so special, while the son Dash wanted to show off that he was special. Buddy, on the other hand, wasn't special at all. He had to build inventions so that he could compete with heroes. There's a line in the movie where Buddy reveals that he's going to make inventions to make everyone "super" (short for superhero). He laughs and says, "And when everyone is super - no one will be." (Believe me, I've seen this film so many times that I almost have it memorized.) The fact that he wants everyone to be special, thus making everyone at the same level, is also a humanizing factor. People can recognize the feeling of wanting to be special. People understand the motives behind Buddy's "evilness" of making sure that no one will be special so that he has the fair opportunity of competing. Revenge was a part of it - something put in so that younger children can understand the movie more clearly - but there's so much more to the character of Buddy than revenge. So, in short, the humanizing of Buddy goes far beyond him being upset that he's not famous. I'm not sure if fame had anything to do with the movie.
I've seen both movies, and understand what you're saying. I also agree with you. I just don't think that humanized characters are only found in Japanese films.