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Max Braden: I'm still a fan of origin stories and prequels, so I'm happy to get Monsters University. I'll miss the little girl from Inc., though, she was adorable. For this year though, the one I think I'm most excited to see is Planes. I thought that trailer was great, and Cars was one of my favorite movies of the year. Turbo also looks ridiculously funny, and I like ridiculous.

David Mumpower: I want to answer Monsters University. Really, I do. My love of Monsters, Inc. is total; I consider it to be one of Pixar's three finest outings. My concern is simple. We all saw Cars 2 and Brave. After Ratatouille, WALL-E and Up, Pixar could do no wrong in anyone's eyes. At this moment, the bloom is not fully off the rose but there is enough cause for concern that I refuse to raise my hopes for Monsters University. In truth, my primary concern is that its quality lessens my enjoyment of the original movie. That thankfully did not happen with Cars, a movie I happen to love, when Cars 2 proved to be above average but nothing special.

Since Pixar does not excite me at the moment and I am not the Miyazaki fan that my wife is, my options are reduced to a pair of less heralded animation houses. Despicable Me from Illumination Entertainment was an imperfect film but its heart was in the right place, an aspect I prioritize with family entertainment. I love the Minions and I adore "It's so fluffy!" so much that it warms my soul.

Upon reflection, however, I have determined that the animated movie I anticipate the most this year is Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. I loved the original to the point that I ever so slightly preferred it to Up. I have a concern about a successor in that I believe the presence of the Clone High team of Phil Lord and Chris Miller was crucial to the original. Still, I think that this is the premise that lends itself most naturally to a sequel. I also loved the whimsy and geniality of the original. As long as those traits carry over to the sequel, I expect Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 to prove satisfying. At the moment, I am more optimistic about it than its more celebrated counterparts.

Kim Hollis: I love animated films of all sorts, as has been well documented over the nearly 12 years this site has been in existence. Monsters, Inc. is probably my second favorite Pixar film (it was my favorite until Up), and I will watch everything Hayao Miyazaki ever directs. So I guess that means I'm all about Monsters University and The Wind Rises, which reminds me of an earlier Studio Ghibli film in Whisper of the Heart (which Hayao Miyazaki wrote but did not direct). Miyazaki is truly one of my biggest inspirations.

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