"Put that thing back where it came from or so help me...so help me, so help me AND CUT!"

Film: "Monsters Inc."

Release Date: 2 November 2001

Director: Pete Doctor, David Silverman, Lee Unkrich

History: "Monsters Inc." continued to show the progress of Pixar Animation by being the first film not directed by John Lasseter. It also pushed the technologies to make these kinds of films with how life like the fur on Sulley's body is. Nearing the completion of their first film, 'Toy Story," Pixar's John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Pete Doctor, and the late Joe Ranft held a lunch in 1994 to decide what their next films would be about. From that lunch they came up with what would be a number of their now classic films. The first of these ideas to reach the screen was 1998's "A Bug's Life." "Monsters Inc." became the second to see life on the screen.

Once again scored and with a new song written by Randy Newman, the song "If I didn't Have You" would go on to win the Oscar for best song, which would be Newman first Academy Award. Once again winning critical and box office success, "monsters Inc." continued Pixar's slow dominance of the animation landscape.

But it did have it's controversies. It faced a few lawsuits, the first from Lori Madrid who claimed it ripped off of her 1999 story, There's a Boy in My Closet. The second one was from Stanley Mouse, who claimed the characters of Mike and Sulley were rips from drawings he tried to sell to Hollywood back in 1998. Both lawsuits would be thrown out, but almost delayed the release of the film.

My Reaction: My uncle once told me a few weeks after "Monsters Inc." was released that he felt the only reason it did well was because of 9/11 and the issues of fear the movie deals with. While I some how doubt that was the main reason why it did well, he may have had something there. "Monsters Inc." came out at an interesting time in American history. It was released less then two months after 9/11. The terrorist attacks were still VERY fresh in everyone's minds and fear was very much in the air. It could very well be that with it's story steeped in conquering fear, there was some connection with that statement my uncle made. I could see there being some connection.

Regardless of why it did well, this was a great film with great messages and possibly the BEST and most exciting climax for any Pixar film to date. I remember seeing the doors segment when I saw this movie on the big screen opening day (which started the tradition for me of seeing every Pixar film since on opening day) and thinking they had the making for an amazing ride at a Disney park on their hands. Watching it again reminded me of how cool it was, and also how perfect the ending was.

Based on news feeds, it seems that Pixar is making a sequal to this film. After watching the original again, I'm cautious at best for a follow up. Not because I would not love to re-visit these characters but because I fear it would ruin the ending of the original. I guess time will tell, it is still unknown as of now what Pixar has in mind.


My Wife's Reaction: She seemed to like it and thought Boo was really cute.

My Final Grade: (A-) This film was awesome and had possibly more warmth then the previous three films had. I enjoyed it for the most part and find myself still in amazement of the big final with the door room. The villains just didn't do it for me though. But I loved the Sulley, Mike and Boo, each of them were well developed in my mind.

All images copyright Disney/ Pixar. All rights reserved.

"Ride Like the Wind Bullseye!"

Film: "Toy Story 2"

Release Date: 24 November 1999

Director: John Lasseter, Lee Unkrich, Ash Brannon

History: The 1999 winner of the Golden Globe for "Best Picture, Musical or Comedy was Pixar Animation's first (and up untill this next summer's "Toy Story 3" and the soon to follow "Cars 2" and "Monster's Inc. 2" only) sequel was almost another one of Disney's direct-to-video films. But after Disney executives saw how impressive the film was shaping up to be and at the urging of Pixar that it be a theatrical film, it ended up just that.

But it also was the first major rift between Pixar and Disney. Pixar had originally had a 3 picture deal with Disney and after the success with "Toy Story" and "A Bug's Life," is became a 5 picture deal. But then Disney CEO Michale Eisner felt that "Toy Story 2" didn't count for that arrangement, while Pixar and Pixar CEO Steve Jobs did. This almost lead ultimately to the separation of the two companies, but more on that later with the post for "Cars."

"Toy Story 2" furthered the Pixar success winning over more critical acclaim and far surpassing the original film at the box office with over $245 million domestically, become at the time the second biggest money making animated film, only under "The Lion King." Both films were later passed by "Shrek 2" and "Finding Nemo," but still it was another mega success for Pixar.

While the music was once again written and scored by the very talented Randy Newman, unlike the first film, he doesn't sing a single song. Instead The Riders in the Sky, Sarah McLachlan and the late Robert Goulet do the singing. As well, Tom Hanks and Tim Allen once again voice the main characters as well as the majority of the original voice cast. Joining them for this film is the inclusion of Jodi Benson (of "The Little Mermaid" fame), Joan Cusack (as the new main character of Jessie the Cowgirl), Kelsey Grammer, Estelle Harris and Wayne Knight.


My Reaction: I have heard the old saying in Hollywood about sequels is that they are never as good as the original. That could not possibly be more untrue when it comes to this film. It possibly is my favorite sequel ever! The story was better in my opinion, the characters were spot on and the animation was clearly better then either "Toy Story" or "A Bug's Life." Both of those films, while amazing, do show their age. This one does a better job of hiding it.

I loved seeing Woody and Buzz again and the addition of Jessie and Bullseye were just perfect. I'm really excited to see these characters one more time in "Toy Story 3" later, as well as the answer to the main questions this film raised. What will happen to our heroes when Andy grows up? In this film, Woody had the chance for toy immortality as it turns out he is a very rare and desired toy amongst collectors. But loyalty for both Andy and Buzz and the rest of the toys won out in the end. It will be most interesting to see the out come of Woody's choice this summer.

Further I loved the humor and the "out takes" that both this film and "A Bug's Life" before it had at the end of the film. It was sad that Pixar stopped do that, but they do have similar things for some of their other films later. "Toy Story 2" did a great job of deepening the "Toy Story" universe and finding out even more about both Woody and Buzz. It showed that Pixar is just as amazing at sequels as there are original stories. With their up coming slate of sequels, we'll see if they still have that magic or not.


My Wife's Reaction: Again, she had not seen this since it was in theaters, so it was like she was watching it for the first time again in a way. She laughed at most of the jokes and seemed to enjoy it.

My Final Grade: (A+) This is one of my favorite Pixar films to date. It did a great job of deepening the universe that is "Toy Story" and was just a well told story. We get to see more of the supporting characters then last time, while still getting to know all of the new characters, while still getting to Buzz and Woody better.

All images copyright Disney/ Pixar. All rights reserved.