So I've commented before on how I think computers are the future of animation. (In a rant that has mysteriously disappeared). However animators must be careful how they use it.

Case and point Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight (DlDoA). Now I've heard good things about the book. It has Xena, Lex Luthor, and the (for some reason not mentioned in the trailer) Guy from 24 in it. But please, for the love of all that is right and decent in the world, if you are going to mix 2d and 3d animation learn to cel-shade.

It's not like this is a new process. Take a look at my favorite movie from previous millennium, the Iron Giant. Is it glaringly obvious that the giant is 3d while (almost) everything else is 2d?

"But Matthew J!" I hear you cry. "That was a big budget theatrical release. Surely a direct to DVD art house picture like DlDoAT can't afford this mystic 'cell shading.'"

Maybe not, but a weekly TV show was able to afford just that. Every shot of the spaceship? Yeah they're all cel-shaded 3d too.

I could overlook the fact that the 2d animation looks like it was done some time in the 80 (the 1880s), if the (18)90s 3d animation didn't ruin the effect.

(Side note, it's amazingly easy to find music videos made from the Iron Giant on You Tube, yet nearly impossible to find the opening to Futurama. Why is that?)