If there is one thing we love here at Crave Online, it’s action. From superheroes to super spies, if it’s got guns, explosions or hand to hand combat we’re there. With bells on. Bells dripping with blood, mwhahahaha!
As the massive fanboys that we are, we’ve noticed that the kind of high-octane action that we love so much is no longer just confined to thrillers and blockbusters. No, these days we’re even starting to see huge action set pieces in animated films.
So with the upcoming release of Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens the video game – an animated video game version of a live-action action film for those following the trans-media leaps at home – we thought we should round up The 6 Best Mind Blowing Action-Packed Animated Films… brought to you by Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens the video game.
Check out the trailer for the game here before you read the article.
The Incredibles
If I had it my way, The Incredibles would be every entry on this list. Brad Bird’s ode to comic books and 70s spy thrillers is not only one of the greatest animated action films of all time, it’s just one of the greatest action films of all time. And while the voice cast deserves a mention for great work, let’s face it, the real standout star here is Jason “My Name Is Earl” Lee who steals the show as the movie’s villain Syndrome.
The Incredibles is available now on digital, Blu-Ray and DVD
DragonBall Z Resurrection F
As if any list of animated action flicks would be complete without at least one DragonBall Z movie (out of a whopping 19). Resurrection F – being the most recently released and the most insane and over the top entry in the franchise – was a logical choice. Seeing the return of series villain Freiza, and a whole bunch of other crazy shit, I would write more about it, but as any fans of the franchise will know trying to describe what happens in a DragonBall Z movie or TV episode is like trying to nail jelly to the wall. It doesn’t work and you end up looking like an idiot.
Dragonball Z: Resurrection F is out now on digital, Blu-Ray and DVD
Kung Fu Panda
Sure this is more of a family movie than an action movie (to be honest you could say that about most of the films on this list) but Kung Fu Panda still has some of the best-animated fight scenes ever – even if they are between talking animals. Referencing classic kung fu movies like The Shaolin Temple and The 36 Chambers Of Shaolin in and amongst the goofy jokes and slapstick, don’t write this off as one for the kids until you’ve seen it.
Kung Fu Panda is out now on digital, Blu Ray and DVD
Big Hero 6
Marvel meets Disney in Big Hero 6, the animated adaptation of the classic Marvel Comics series about a team of 6 superheroes who form to take down a masked super villain. So yeah, no points for originality when it comes to the plot. Where it does get points though is in the films’ stunning visuals, and in particular the awesome mashed-up Japanese/American metropolis San Fransokyo. Oh and the totally awesome final battle scene that kind of leaves you drooling for a sequel. Thank god this is a Disney/Marvel film then, as we can surely expect several and some spin-offs.
Big Hero 6 is out now on digital, Blu-Ray and DVD
How To Train Your Dragon
Spawning a sequel and a TV series, How To Train Your Dragon is not just a movie – it’s a cultural phenomenon. Telling the story of a young Viking who wants to hunt dragons – only to end up befriending one and in the process finds out there is more to the creatures than meets the eye – the movie combines a classic coming of age story with eye-popping action and fantastical environments.
How To Train Your Dragon is out now on digital, Blu-Ray and DVD
The Lego Batman Movie
So this is a bit of a wild card on the list, you know seeing as though it’s not actually out until next year, but going off the trailer alone, The Lego Batman Movie already looks like one of the most action-packed and hilarious animated movies of the 21st Century. With Will Arnett voicing the titular caped crusader, Ralph Fiennes as Alfred and Michael Cera as Robin (OMFG this is so perfect I can’t handle it), this is more than just some cheap toy line spin-off. Looking at you Battleship.
The Lego Batman Movie is due for release in 2017
Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens is out June 29 and you can grab a pre-order here.
