I don't think it'll be as automatic as we've been expecting thus far. Ponyo's lookin fiery.

http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117938 ... id=31&cs=1

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/awa ... &rid=11566

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/ ... 653020.ece

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jh ... aki131.xml

http://www.screendaily.com/ScreenDailyA ... ryID=40414

Spirited Away didn't have any Pixar to face when it won, but then again, Pixar's never had to face Miyazaki at the top of his game (Howl's was on a lesser acclaim tier). It's still early, but it looks like this will deliver.

This could be a titanic battle!

No, Wall-E has this.

I thought Ponyo is slated for next year.

Ponyo isn't eligible this year (except for foreign if Japan chooses to submit it); it's being released in the U.S. next year and will be the favorite to win over Up.

I want this to happen. Ballsy as hell, though.

I loved the film, but Wall-E is on another level, Wall-E will win without any problems.

Up will be far superior.

It's gonna be so close next year: Ponyo vs. Up
No matter how strong Ponyo is gonna be (and I doubt that it will be as strong as Spirited Away), Pete Docter was snubbed for Monsters Inc. That's a huge plus for him.

Yeah, I'm not sure I'd assume Ponyo would win against Up either.

With rumors spreading of Ratatouille nearly getting nominated for Best Picture, it is clear that the Academy really likes Pixar, and thus even if Ponyo is better than Up, that doesn't mean it will win.

Up! has this in the bag. It honestly doesn't even matter. Ponyo has NO chance.

Ponyo might be too strange for the Academy even if it is a masterpiece. And Up looks to be the most senior citizen friendly animated film ever made....

Assuming Up is very good, which I think is a safe assumption, it shouldn't face too much of a threat.

As much of a Pixar fanboy as I am, the one animation production company I love even more is Studio Ghibli - - I hope Up is sppectacular, but I vote for Miyazaki FTW!!!

Academy doesn't like rewarding same studio over and over that's why they awarded Shrek which though was less acclaimed than Monsters provided the first substantial competition.
Happy Feet was also considered great and kids loved it and also Cars was Pixar's first disappointment in terms of quality.

Wall-E will beat Kung Fu Panda but if it was a bit less grand like on the scale of The Incredibles it would lose.
Up would only lose to Ponyo if Ponyo does anything. If no one sees it it won't win.
MvA looks like shit. Sequels cannot win.

So Up has only Cloudy/Chance of Meatballs which probably won't do well and 9.

Ponyo was moved from Spring to Summer in hopes they can beat Spirited Away's 10M it made at the Box Office here.

With rumors of Up being spectacular based off early test screenings, next year's animation battle will be just as spectacular.

Hmm, the fact that Ponyo is Myiazaki's last film might help, but generally, Up obviously has a HUGE advantage.

He says that every film...

Considering Pixar will have won two times in a row (And two times before that), compared to Miyazaki's one, I'm guessing the latter wins, assuming it's well-received here.

Pixar has never faced Miyazaki.

This is going to be very close.

Ponyo is still going to be too odd for them. They're too conservative to nominate an animate film for BP, there's no way they hand an award to an oddity like Ponyo.

I think that all anyone here is hoping for, is the Best Animated Picture Oscar...

Ponyo all the way, Up looks boring.

Hasn't "boring" been tossed around at every Pixar film coming out since Finding Nemo? Except for The Incredibles, perhaps.