Since Walt Disney first introduced the feature-length animated film with 1937’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” audiences of all ages have been captivated by the genre. In recent years, hand-drawn animation has been replaced with computer-generated content, but the genre remains immensely popular and the plots and dialogue of these films have become increasingly complex. Cartoons, as films of this nature are often called, have even become a regular part of the award season ever since the institution of the Best Animated Feature category at the Academy Awards a decade ago.
What is often overlooked when it comes to animated features is the work done by the voice actors. It used to be obvious that voicing animated characters wasn’t taken seriously and the result would be dialogue that felt like it was simply being read off a page. Modern voice actors not only take their work seriously, but more often than not give outstanding performances. Hopefully this will eventually warrant a new Oscar category, but until then, here’s a list of the best animated voiceover performances of the last 10 years.
John Goodman as Sulley in “Monsters, Inc.”
Billy Crystal was the film’s more notable cast member and gives a manic and entertaining performance, but Goodman is the real star of the film. Never before had a voice so perfectly fit an animated character. While watching the film, you’re always aware that Crystal is the one hamming it up as Mike, but Goodman gets lost in the role, leaving behind only Sulley.
Tom Hanks as Woody in “Toy Story 2″ and “Toy Story 3″
Even though all three of the “Toy Story” films feature exceptional voice acting, it is the performance of Tom Hanks that stands out most. One of Hanks’ best traits as an actor is his versatility. It translates flawlessly to the complicated character of Woody, whose personality swings from depressed to sarcastic and dismissive
Ellen DeGeneres as Dory in “Finding Nemo”
If it’s possible for an animated film to have a scene-stealing performance, Ellen DeGeneres’ Dory is a prime example. She isn’t the main character, but still managed to be the fish audiences remember most once they left the theater.
Mike Myers as Shrek in “Shrek”
Perhaps the most memorable of all the voice work on this list is Mike Myer’s performance as the grumpy green ogre. The strange Scottish dialect is a little campy and gets tiresome by the franchise’s fourth film, but it was a breath of fresh air when the series debuted in 2001.
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