The Animation of Matter

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. --John 6:63

In our dimension, the animation of matter follows strict laws of biology and physics, which of course instantly tempts mad scientist Dr. Frankenstein to overcome them - to attempt "The re-animation of matter!!!" Horror films are all over the frightening consequences of the unauthorized animation of matter, but oddly enough, "animated" cartoons are full of examples of this same phenomena: the animation of normally inanimate matter, The Sorcerer's Apprentice in Disney's Fantasia being the classic example.

Mrs. Pott-er?

In Bedknobs and Broomsticks, budding witch Angela Lansbury animates (enchants) formerly inanimate objects, giving them sentience and the ability to move (act).

Naive Mrs. Potts and her two guardians: Lumiere and Cogsworth.

In Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Angela voices Mrs. Potts... an animated (sentient) teapot in an enchanted castle. The enchanter becomes the enchanted. I always thought that the Beast's enchanted castle was cool, and wished that I lived in a place like that, with all the vessels serving themselves, and even cleaning up afterwards.

Children are the target market for movies about improbable animations, and when you think about it, the concept of inanimate objects come to life might make a kid a bit paranoid, but it doesn't. Kids seem to know that the animated objects are friendly. Maybe they're re-membering how things are in Imagination Land.

Angela! Are you in there?

However, children aren't the only ones with animated fastasies. The star ship Enterprise, thanks to her ginormous computer, is essentially a flying, enchanted "castle" in the sky, whose only desire is to serve the humans within. "Tea. Earl Grey. Hot!" Apparently Dame Lansbury lives on as a Replicator.

Harry Potter's Alma Mater, Hogwarts, is kept in tip-top running order by House Elves, who seem to desire nothing more than to be used as servants. For a time, Hermione even attempts to organize them for better working conditions, but gives up when they can't see their forced labor as anything but the greatest happiness. They're sort of like enchanted dishes, but not quit as elementally cool.

"Our collective conclusion seems to be that nature, both in whole and in many parts, is magically self-reflecting and aware E N T I T I E S"

Terrance McKenna claimed to meet the "machine elves" on his DMT trips. Machine elves were tiny, friendly, shape-shifting entities. They greeted him as if they already knew him. Maybe machine elves are like House Elves that BECOME the Animated Matter! How cool is that?

The Lady in Red: Jessica Rabbit

In Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Animated characters are visualized as "separate but equal" life forms. They live in their own ghetto(dimension) called Toontown(heaven?), and they're essentially immortal. Toons are allowed to break the laws of physics if the result is humorous, sorta like Super Funny Heroes. Toontown is apparently a wholly owned subsidiary of Marvin Acme - the pinnacle. Toons can't normally be killed, however, they're subject to the "Dip" - a mixture concocted of acetone, benzene, and turpentine, which is the only sure way to kill a Toon (spirit). Dip = Lake of Fire?

Prince Valiant? Veritas. And wouldn't you know it, he's a Templar. Click image to enlarge crest.

An extremely animated yellow checker cab in Toontown.

Toontown would make a pretty nice place to live, except I'd want to live in the red light district - Porntown - where the laws of physics can be broken, as long as it's erotic. I'd work for cheap to be a cartoon muscleboy... very cheap. Like a horny Pornhouse Elf.

Guardians of the Cube, from Class Comics. The week's very best find.