A wise friend of mine pointed out his idea of what Pixar has to do to get their films green lighted. It goes something like this:
Pixar Representatives: “I have an idea.”
Movie Studio Execs: “Sold.”
And by all means they’ve lived up to the ability to do that, as they continue to raise the bar in each film they deliver. Pixar is something unique and wonderful that’s happened to filmmaking in the last decade, and has changed and will continue to change movies forever. Their films are timeless, and so today I dedicate the top ten list to PIXAR. I’ll continue this mini-Pixarathon with some reviews throughout the week as well. Below my personal ten list are the results of the quiz posted on facebook and polldaddy.
10. Cars
Like most Pixar films Cars was an intriguing concept, one that is totally outside of the box. Also like Monsters Inc. it was clearly more child oriented, but at the end of the day is probably my least favorite of their films. The sweetness, the sense of magic, characters that are appealing to adult and child……..it was missing for me. The story was more stagnant and predictable. My kids dig this movie, but it is the one film in the group that I wouldn’t know was Pixar except for it’s concept. Always ambitious, you can’t hit a homerun everytime, and even with my lukewarm feelings, kids still totally dig this movie.
9. A Bugs Life
As I recall this and Antz were released around the same time, and even now I am happen to own each film. The kids prefer to watch A Bugs Life, and I usually opt for Antz, but when I go back after years of not having watched either, it was clear that A Bugs Life is a far superior film. The animation already began something that had distinct qualities that even Pixar films today have. The characters carried the same sweetness and palpable quality that only Pixar movies exude and was at the very start of the dynasty of magical films we’ve grown to love and adore.
8. Monsters Inc.
Monsters, Inc. is one of the few Pixar movies that I think is geared more towards children than adults. It’s unquestionably cute and the idea that Monster’s are in fact more afraid of the kids than the kids of them plays out in a manner that is purely infectious. Sully’s sentimentality for the little girl he calls “Boo”(Mary Gibbs) is what really sells the story. His affection for her is the catalyst for every event that follows after he takes her outside of the scaring room. While Monster’s, Inc. focuses more on the child portion of entertainment it still embraces jokes and topics that are there purely for adult satisfaction alone. Monster’s, Inc. is a feel good movie that kids of any age will delight in and adults will appreciate over and over again.
7. The Incredibles
What I like about Pixar films is they often teach messages, normal life messages, but they don’t bother to shove it down your throat. It’s there if you want it, but it’s not in your face. The Incredibles did one of the most substantive jobs of executing this art. I know this is probably more of a fan favorite. I enjoyed it as well, just in respect to the other Pixar films on the list here it happened to fall at number seven. As far as exciting and fun animated films go this is probably at the top of my list, but in the world of Pixar the standards are far higher!
6. Toy Story
Woody and Buzz Lightyear are two of the most recognizable characters in film history, and with good reason. The voiceovers of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen is some of the greatest character work ever. Sure, Toy Story itself is a great movie, well written, fantastic characters, and the concept of looking at things through the eyes of a toy probably touches us all. Who can’t revert back to a time when your favorite toy lost it’s #1 spot to something newer and cooler? But this story is such a great success because of the great depictions of Buzz and Woody and their amazing chemistry.
5. Ratatouille
While Ratatouille is a Disney/Pixar manifestation it had that feel of old movie heart and magic. Leaving the detailed animation aside for a moment, the story itself, and the character Remy, plus his supporting cast had such a palpable, likability. It was a completely infectious feeling that you never wanted to end. The enthusiasm of Remy and Linguini often bordered on cheesiness but never crossed the line. Quite frankly I’ve rarely felt so pleased watching a movie. I simply sat and enjoyed it. It made you laugh, feel remorse, cry, smile, and it even gave you hope. Ratatouille represented all the ideals that Pixar exemplify best. Dreams can come true, and this film visualized that amazing ideal.
4. Wall-E
This movie was stellar in every aspect. There were characters to love and hate, a plot that actually had brains behind it, comedy, was visually awesome, and had pacing that was just perfection. It is quite clear to me that Pixar can do no wrong. This was one of the best movies in 2008 by a long shot, and one to go out and buy without thinking twice. It’s a pleasure to go back a be a kid for a few hours.
3. Finding Nemo
It’s probably the most amazing animated film I have ever seen. It’s actually beautiful and it’s comparison to the real ocean is staggering. There are moral messages sent throughout the movie but they are never in your face. The sentiment behind everything is genuine, and not corny, and what’s most amazing is Pixar somehow created another film that is not meant for children alone, but everyone young and old. Nemo was a film full of heart and sweetness.
2. Up
A kids flick shouldn’t be capable of putting so many different themes and emotions on the table. It makes me remember Old Disney, back when it actually made magical movies that were inspired. Pixar movies touch me in a very adult way, but tap into the child in me like no other film company I’ve ever had the pleasure of viewing. It is simultaneously an escape and acknowledgment of reality in a world we know and don’t know.
1. Toy Story 2
Yes, the sequel is number one for me. I challenge anyone to debate me! In all seriousness, Toy Story 2 is one of my favorite films of all time. I’ve probably watched and re-watched it at least a hundred times over and it just gets better for me everytime. It is just as sweet and creative as it’s predecessor, but this one is leaps and bounds more funny. It takes a lot to get me to LOL and TS2 has few moments throughout that I’m not LOLing. There is adventure, fun, more lessons to be learned, and great comedy from some of the worlds greatest fictional characters. Give me Toy Story 3 and don’t forget to bring your angry eyes!
The Winner of Peoples Choice is:
Cars (2 votes)
5%
Fitz (5)
FRC Ruben (5)
Peter E. (3)
Bartleby (1)
Dan (1)
Toy Story 2 stinks on ice. After watching the movie I wanted to buy the action figures then melt them in the microwave, or tie them to an M-80 and explode them. It may be the worst Pixar film EVERAH!
My top five:
1. Wall-E
2. Up
3. The Incredibles
4. Monsters Inc.
5. Finding Nemo
Monsters Inc. BLEW ME AWAY with the quality of animation — you can see individual tufts of fur blowing in the breeze! I don’t care who you are; that’s just plain awesome.
I admit I enjoyed “Toy Story” but wasn’t so in love with the sequel, and I’m a little sad to see that “WALL-E” only made number three. The first 45 minutes of that movie are, I would argue, absolutely perfect, from the animation to the character development. After that things get a little Al Gore-ish and preachy, but still it’s an awe-inspiring film.
Wow. Tough crowd! LOL. I had no idea there was so little love for Toy Story 2. Frankly, I think any Pixar film voted for number one could easily be argued one way or another. All of Pixar’s films are so brilliant, save Cars.
I agree with the quality of animation in Monsters and especially Wall-E. I could almost just do without the second half of Wall-E to be honest. I didn’t dislike it, but the first forty-five minutes are a different movie. If not for the end it would probably be my favorite Pixar as well.
I love the second half of Wall-E as much as the first. The captain’s awakening from a life of ignorant bliss is very engaging and inspirational. I also love the renegade robot troop, and how they rally to Wall-E. The obvious slapstick humor and fighting was needed to balance out the serious themes of the movie. But I liked the dark and violent characterization of the Auto-Pilot, and it’s willingness to harm and injure the human passengers in order to follow the order to stay away from Earth.
I would put Finding Nemo as number 1. The animation in that film is just fucking incredible and the story is really creative (although you could say that about all Pixar films). It’s been a while since I’ve seen Toy Story 2, so I can’t really argue with you because I don’t remember much from it.
Wall-E is also toward the top, but I was really uncomfortable by the blatant social commentary of modern American life.
I’m actually a waaay bigger fan of the Pixar shorts than I am of their feature films. I absolutely adore Geri’s Game and think it’s pure genius. I also like Knick Knack a lot.
Disney Cars on 10th place – i don’t think so . I’m a huge fan of the movie , and to say the least i would at least put it above Bug’s life – come on , 10th place?????
Really interesting article. I really enjoyed Toy Story 2 as well, it was so touching. Now that we’re all gearing up for the release of Toy Story 3 I wonder how it will stack up against this list. I hear it’s going to be incredibly good. But then anything from Pixar is going to be quality.
Hmm interesting order! I think I would have Wall-E at the top of mine, mainly because I think the animation and character design are the best in that one, and the story is just my style. I’m also weirdly obsessed with Ratatouille.
And I think Toy Story 2 is almost as good as the first one (I didn’t think there’d be so much hate for it!). Maybe I’m just easily swayed by the addition of a good female character, since Pixar isn’t really into that.
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Great list Heather. I actually liked Cars quite a bit – I know a lot of people class this as Pixar’s weakest but it would be higher on my list. I’d drop Wall-e and The Incredibles down a bit and promote Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, and A Bug’s Life Up. My top 5 would be something like:
1. Finding Nemo
2. Toy Story 2
3. A Bug’s Life
4. Ratatouille
5. Monster’s Inc.
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I had a pretty similar list only Incredibles and Toy Story were much higher… Up was a little lower… and Ratatouille was way down. No way that is a better film than TS or Incredibles!
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