by Jake Bourgeois, Contributing Writer
I’ve always had a soft spot for animation. More years than not, at least a couple of animated features find their way onto my top 10 list. So, I’m setting out to shine a light on some films that may have passed you by. The idea here is to take a look at some underseen gems—so no Toy Story or Frozen here.
Let’s get started.
It’s January, which means it’s time to take a look at another underseen Best Animated Feature Oscar nominee. I’ll be honest, I came into this montht’s column thinking that with the distribution disaster, last year’s Robot Dreams might be the choice, but relative to its peers, it’s not doing terribly (at least according to Letterboxd popularity). I was surprised to see, however, that Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius was toward the bottom.
The film follows the titular genius (Debby Derryberry) as he has to work with his classmates after their parents are abducted by aliens. A part of the inaugural nominees in the category, it certainly feels a little out of place when placed up against the other two nominees: Shrek and Monsters, Inc. Though I remembered going to see this in the theater when I was younger, I probably more clearly remembered the TV show that spun off afterward (a rare occasion of one of those ‘90s/’00s spinoff show that actually worked). But does the original hold up (with admittedly nostalgia-colored glasses on)?
First, let’s start with the animation. I’ll admit, I’m torn about it. On one hand, you can definitely see the age of the 3D style. On the other, given the 23-year time gap, it’s held up pretty well. I mean, I bet there’s stuff Nickelodeon (and others) are cranking out now that make this still look good. But honestly, in the grand scheme of things, that doesn’t matter.
I was in this movie for the vibes, and I had so much fun. Is it a little childish? Sure. Is it digging particularly deep for their jokes? It is not. But I don’t care. I just enjoyed going back in a time machine and enjoying something that made me feel like a kid again. The inventions are insane, and the point is just that Jimmy can make them. You know what other movie features insane, ridiculous inventions? 2025 Oscar nominee Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. They’re cute. I almost forgot how much I loved Jimmy’s sidekicks, the asthmatic Carl (Rob Paulsen) and the superhero obsessed Sheen (Jeffrey Garcia), but they are absolute scene-stealers. They make such good foils for our genius protagonist.
What really helped me get sucked into the nostalgia of it all was the soundtrack. It’s a verifiable Now That’s What I Call Music volume. Backstreet Boys, *NSync, Britney Spears, Aaron Carter, Nick Cannon, and Lil’ Romeo? It’s like a who’s who of early ‘00s artists. And, come on, when doesn’t putting “Kids in America” in your movie about kids work?
All of those aspects made it easy for me to look over some of Boy Genuis’ flaws, like, what amusement park has their grand opening on a school night?
While it’s certainly not the high art that some animated films are, that’s fine by me. However, it does have legends Sir Patrick Stewart, Martin Short, and Jim Cummings. So, you know, you can’t say it’s entirely without merit.
I’m excited to continue to geek out on some great animated work you may not have had a chance to catch. Next month, we’ll hit the other underseen nominee for the year.
You can read more from Jake Bourgeois, and follow him on Bluesky and Letterboxd