A look at this trailer and you may think two things: one, it looks like yet another reincarnation of FernGully. And two, the graphics look incredible! Whichever one you go with, there's no denying the extensive work that the animators and CGI teams have put into this animation from Twentieth Century Fox.
Jonas Avrin is the animation technical director and with his extensive experience in the games (Grand Theft Auto, Assassins Creed) and movie industries (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Ice Age) he seems like a fine choice. Materials technical director Audry Bagley is a newcomer in the animation world, having only been working since 2010.
The G.I. Joe films may not be winning any Oscars for acting abilities or storyline but the high quality of the CGI and 3D work is undeniable.In this sequel, the G.I. Joes find that not only are they fighting their mortal enemy Cobra, they're also forced to contend with threats from within the government that jeopardise their very existence.
The talented team at ILM are on hand to provide most of the visual effects, including Michael Balog, who's worked on the Harry Potter, Pirates of the Carribbean and Transformers franchises. Digital Domain, Luma Pictures and Method Studios Vancouver are also all involved, which proves the extensive knowledge and talent that features within the film. Only the best for the Joes!
Another novel-turned-movie, and many fans of F Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel were trepidacious about this 2012 adaptation. Movie fans, however, were excited that director Baz Luhrmann - the man behind Moulin Rouge and the Leonardo diCaprio-starring Romeo & Juliet reboot - is the man in charge. His decision to revive the story in 3D caused some controversy but we feel showcasing 1920s New York in this way will really resonate with cinema audiences.
Arthur Spink Jr is the special effects supervisor, after previously working on the Matrix trilogy and the likes of Superman returns and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Lawrence Andrews, who was responsible for the awesome effects in Sucker Punch, is in charge of the visual effects lay out.
Hotly tipped by us since October 2012 this Dreamworks animation follows the story of a prehistoric family who are forced to explore beyond the world of their small cave.
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Voices are provided by Nicholas Cage, Ryan Reynolds and Emma Stone, with the animation in the capable hands of Jamaal Bradley and Dave Hardin, who worked on such movies as Puss in Boots, I Am Legend, and Alice in Wonderland. We're excited by the scintillating use of colour, and this quirky film certainly kickstarted another year to remember for DreamWorks.
Another DreamWorks release, Turbo is a supercharged animated comedy about a snail with a need for speed who dreams of competing against the greatest Indianapolis 500 racers.
It's the first feature-length animation for director David Soren, who took charge of the short Merry Madagascar, and he's working alongside screenwriter Robert Siegel of The Wrestler fame. Ryan Reynolds voices the lead alongside a cast including Samuel L Jackson, Paul Giamatti and Maya Rudolph from Bridesmaids.
It's the sci-fi event of the year: director JJ Abrams is back with the second in a series of Star Trek movies, with Benedict Cumberbatch as villain John Harrison joining the returning cast from the 2009 reboot.
This film is more emotionally charged than its gung-ho predecessor but with Daniel Mindel back on cinematography duties there are some impressive special effects once more.
Note, though, that the movie was not filmed in native 3D but shot in 2D and converted in post-production. Either way, sci-fi fans will watch with a careful eye as director Abrams has been signed up for those forthcoming Star Wars sequels too.
Reeves will be the only Western actor in this Japanese tale (although he himself is part-Asian)
Adapted from the classic tale of a group of Samurai in 18th century Japan who avenge the murder of their master, this live action movie marks a return to the multiplex for Keanu Reeves, who stars alongside an all Asian-born cast.
Cinematography-wise, it's in similar vein to The Matrix and with Ridley Scott's protégé Carl Erik Rinsch at the helm it's fair to say that it is an epic 3D experience.
Superhero fans rejoice: not only is Man of Steel the return of Superman to the big screen, it's also the return of Batman franchise reviver Christopher Nolan. Fans of the director know his work is characterised by a striving for realism, and with the likes of Joe Letteri working on the movie and the addition of a third dimension you really will believe a man can fly.
Based loosely around the original story of the Snow Queen, this movie has been in Disney's pipeline for a while. It was initially destined to be hand-drawn along the lines of other films such as The Princess and the Frog, but was then created as a 3D CGI animation. With Chris Buck as director and John Lasseter as producer you can be sure that this film features some top notch quality animation and the 3D adds an extra layer of Disney magic.
2013 saw the sequel to the quirky 2010 animated kids' comedy about supervillain Gru. The stellar cast has been added to, with Al Pacino playing Gru’s new nemesis and Steve Coogan also popping up. As with the first film, this is one with something for both the kids and their parents to enjoy.
Next: Iron Man 3, The Hobbit, and more...
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