LOS ANGELES - "The Incredibles," the high-octane adventure tale of a family of superheroes who must save both the world and themselves, took home Sunday's Oscar for animated feature.
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The film defeated a double threat from rival studio DreamWorks Animation: the ogre sequel "Shrek 2" and the all-star underwater "Shark Tale."
Pixar won the Oscar last year for its own ocean odyssey, "Finding Nemo." The Emeryville, Calif.-based company, which co-finances and distributes its films with The Walt Disney Co., lost its first showdown with DreamWorks in 2002 when the original "Shrek" beat "Monsters, Inc."
This year's animated Oscar race was significant because more people saw the three nominees in theaters than saw all five best picture contestants. By itself, "Shrek 2," which grossed $436 million at the box office, took in more money than the five best-picture nominees combined.
"The Incredibles" produced a number of memorable lines including this one from Mr. Incredible, voiced by Craig T. Nelson: "No matter how many times you save the world, it always manages to get back in jeopardy again. I feel like the maid; 'I just cleaned up this mess! Can we keep it clean for... for 10 minutes!'"
This year's contest also marked the likely end of the long and successful partnership between Pixar and Disney.
Pixar has one more movie to deliver under the terms of its Disney deal, next year's "Cars." The company has said it is looking at other studios to distribute its films, including Warner Bros. and Twentieth Century Fox.
Pixar broke off negotiations on a new deal with Disney last year, saying it wants to retain ownership rights to its future films, paying its partner a flat distribution fee. Under its present arrangement, Pixar co-finances the films with Disney and splits the profits while Disney retains the right to make sequels.
"The Incredibles," Pixar's sixth feature film, also starred the voices of Holly Hunter as Elastigirl and Samuel L. Jackson as Frozone.
The film's director, Brad Bird, provided the voice of superhero costume designer Edna E. Mode, who later in the Oscar telecast appeared onstage with Pierce Brosnan to help present the award for costume design.
Bird, as Edna, commented backstage on the Oscar fashion scene.
"Some people look fabulous on the red carpet and some would look better wearing the red carpet, dahling."
On The Net:
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
www.oscars.org
The Academy Awards on ABC-TV
www.oscar.com
