The 'Uncanny Valley'

[Sharpshooter]

This article that i found (on Gamespot) is quite interesting. It explores the idea of why people are put off by replicas of humans that are almost perfect, but something stands out, such as poor eye animation. The idea is from a theory from a roboticist that was produced in the 1970's in Japan and is the same idea that is used in the Matrix, that a perfect world was rejected by humans. It's worth a read, even if this description sounds boring.

http://uk.gamespot.com/features/6153667/index.html

[Red Devil]

Just read it. Its very interesting stuff. I think it explains why the secong CGI Final Fantasy film looks so much better. Its a more cartooney/anime look so it looks less realistic so its more appealing. Well, that and the improvement to the technology and storyline. I also read an article in New Scientist about the uncanny valley (yes i'm a geek), though it was about Robots, not animation.

[BigBlue]

Have some background in 3D modeling and animation, the article was pretty good. And it's one of the key reasons that most of the computer-animated movies feature mostly non-human subjects (Toy Story, Antz, Shrek, etc.). They are easier for the audience to accept because we don't have a point of reference.