Understanding Animation

This book provides a thorough exploration of animation's significance in film history. Understanding Animation argues for its rightful place as a respected art form.

This work explores the reasons animation has often been overlooked in film history and criticism. It presents various models and methodologies for understanding animation, arguing for its recognition as a significant art form. Understanding Animation serves as a comprehensive introduction to the animated film genre, encompassing everything from classic cartoons to modern computer-generated imagery.

First published in 1998, Understanding Animation provides an insightful examination of a medium that has gained popularity yet remains critically neglected. The author, Paul Wells, explains the defining characteristics of animation as a cinematic form and outlines different approaches to interpreting and evaluating animated films. The book traces the evolution of animated cinema globally, highlighting iconic works ranging from Betty Boop to Wallace and Gromit.

Part history, part theory, and part celebration, this book includes notes towards a theory of animation, an exploration of animation's narrative techniques, and an analysis of how comedic events are structured. Additionally, it discusses representation with a focus on gender and race, supported by primary research on animation and audience perception. Through case studies featuring characters like Daffy Duck and works by renowned animators, Understanding Animation illustrates the profound insights animated films can offer about culture, art, and society.