Okay, the midget thing is explained. Now to the Midas touch.

Katz started at Paramount Studios as assistant to Barry Dillar. He rose through the ranks and in 1982 became the president of production. He then followed Eisner to Disney and became chair of the studio. And then he turned 34 YEARS OLD!!! My God, I turned 34 last year and my highlight was throwing a baseball 65 m.p.h.. I did win a hat. That man has some serious drive and ambition. Two things that I am sorely lacking. At least I was told this by an acquaintance of mine. I'm offended by this remark as I rub my second chin and adjust my "Homer briefs". Katz has left his mark on the world of animation.

Now as I look at the contribution this man has made to the field of animation, it is incredible. Let's make a list shall we Disney: The Little Mermaid: loved this film. Last Disney film to use traditional cell animation. Music by Menkin, songs by Ashman. Great! The Rescuers Down Under: One of my favorite non-musical animated movies. If you want to see GREAT animation, see this movie! Beauty and the Beast: Everyone loved this film, but me. I can't explain it. I did like it. The first animated film to be nominated for a best picture Academy Award. Aladdin: Are you seeing a pattern here The Lion King: Like I said, "Midas". Hercules: One of my favorites. The songs haven't been this good since Howard Ashman passed away. Also, loved the style. Tarzan: Solid movie. Get rid of the oh so cute ape friend and we may have something. The last two movies were released after Katz left Disney but his mark is on both. His departure from Disney has been felt by the animators themselves. In the New York Observer, Disney animator Tom Sito remarked that Katzenberg "doesn't give notes like 'That character's hair is the wrong color.' He says, 'I don't believe he loves her, and without a love story you don't have a movie.'" Another animator told the Observer that recent Disney films may be "technically proficient but very deficient in terms of storytelling and character." (that last little bit is what's known in the biz as 'cut and paste'. Try it sometime)

Now, down to business! In October 1994 Katz, along with Spielberg and David Geffin formed Dreamworks SKG. I don't have to tell you that, you're here aren't you Now you would think that trying to break in a new company would be made easier if the first animated feature was just a simple little story. No, let's just animate the OLD TESTAMENT!!!

Now I must admit, when I first heard the news about The Prince of Egypt I was a tad skeptical. You see, I have always been a firm believer in the notion that why animate something that can be filmed I mean all the characters are human. I know there's not going to be a little pet monkey that Moses lovingly refers to as Adolph. The camels don't have conversations or break into a jazzy rendition of Hot, Hot, Hot during the flight from Egypt. Boy, was I wrong. Katz took the chance and it paid off. This movie is beautiful. During the press junket for Prince of Egypt, Katz told the ladies of The View, when they were done gleefully discussing parts of the female reproductive system, that the film was "actually like trying to bring a painting to life as opposed to a cartoon." The animation of emotions is one of the most staggering advancements with this film. You can see the thought processes going on behind the eyes. Wonderful. Katz's style of story telling and character development is at the forefront with this modern masterpiece.

We now move from one spectrum to the other. The Road to El Dorado: The animation top notch. The characters, funny and charming. The story, okay. For me there was something missing. It just did not gel. Funny, the film about gold fizzled for the man with the Midas touch. Oh, irony. But, that was just a hiccup in the Katzenberg run. SShhh Katz was an uncredited director for El Dorado

Antz: The Dreamworks and Katz virginal tryst into computer animation. I personally liked this movie. I liked the reality of it. Yeah, there are talking ants but at least they are the actual color of insects. They also have 6 legs. And they sound like Woody Allen and Gene Hackman. You see, reality.

Chicken Run: Leave it to Katz to snatch up these witty Brits before Mickey could get his overly large gloved hands on them. This reworking of The Great Escape with clay chickens was one of the smartest and funniest comedies when it was released in 2000. Peter Lord and Nick Park created an instant classic. And you can pick up the toys for dirt cheap!! I hear that a Wallace and Grommet film is coming. Or Tortoise and the Hare. Or t he musical Hair.

Shrek: Hmm, the film that exploded on to the screens. One of the most critically acclaimed films of the year. The Academy Award winner for Best Animated Film! One of the top grossers. I thought it was okay. Now before you all light the torches and release the hounds, let me explain. I am not into fart jokes. Not into poo-poo humor. I grew up with my dad taking me, my brother and my sister down that path. "Pull my finger." Yee haw, it never gets old!! That's just me. Shrek had a lot of that. I also did not like the soundtrack. What sort of top hit shepherd's pie was baked here You know what would have made me happy as a clam If the entire film would have had the same feel as the wonderful Robin Hood sequence. The music, animation, it clicked for me. I know I am in the minority here. But, Katz did it again.

Now, this summer we have a new animated feature from Dreamworks; Spirit: Stallion of Cimarron. I just saw the new trailer. The jury is still out for me. 88 minutes of horses. Do they talk Is there a horse with the soulful yet scratchy voice of Bryan Adams The visuals look fantastic. I'm sure Katz is doing his level best to bring heart and characterization to the film. Just have to wait until memorial day. I tell you, where do they get these animators WOW.

Is Katz human Yes. Just remember back when the infamous 28-page cost-cutting memo critical of Disney operations, which embarrassed many when it received unintentionally wide distribution in early 1991. And Road to El Dorado. But I hope this little editorial has made you think about the guy that made a Mermaid sing, a Genie gafaw, Ants perseverate, chickens run, and an Ogre fart. Jeffery, we love that you are part of the creative vision that makes up Dreamworks. Here's to many more success's and a few less leaked memos. And less fart jokes.