I've been backed up (and lazy!), but more reviews are coming!

To any and all who actually read this, I've been rather behind. I've actually kept up the movies (however even that isn't going as fast as I may have wished, but such is life) and in fact am about to watch "Pocahontas." So as you can see, I'm REALLY behind. But I've been busy looking for work and also been feeling a bit lazy when I could have the time to work on this, it's starting to feel like homework and it needs to feel like fun for me to do it.

But I have a number that Is tarted and have not finished and I hope to at least have those posted within the next few days. Thanks everyone!

"I was hiding under your porch because I love you."

Film: "Up"

Release Date: 29 May 2009

Director: Pete Doctor, Bob Peterson

History: After nine films, all Hollywood success stories, Pixar's tenth film would come from the imagination of it's director, Pete Doctor. Doctor imagined escaping life when it gets to be too much with a flying house. From there, he took his idea and crafted the story for the film with writers Thomas McCarthy and Pixar's Bob Peterson. Doctor based the hero Carl Fredrickson on legendary actors Spencer Tracy and Walter Matthau as he felt they were grumpy old guys, but yet sweet, the way he wanted Carl to be. He also based the name of the villain, Charles Muntz, on the name of the old cartoon producer Charles Mintz, who is famous in Disney lore for stealing Walt Disney's original cartoon, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, forcing Walt to ultimately create Mickey Mouse.

"Up" was released in the summer of 2009 and was the best reviewed film that year. It went on to be Pixar's second most profitable film after "Finding Nemo." It was also the first Pixar film to be released in Disney Digital 3D. It went on to win a number of prestigious awards, but maybe it's greatest honor was being the second ever animated film, and first Pixar animated film, to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture of the Year.


My Reaction: With the Pixar side of this marathon basically over for now (as of the moment this is being published, "Toy Story 3" is less then a month from being released.) I can say watching these films as strung together as I did has been a real treat and one that sometime down the road I hope to do again. I have defiantly seen growth in Pixar animation, characters and story telling going from film to film. And yet I have also seen Pixar still using tried and true principles in every film they have made as well as try new things. Some of these new ideas have be good and found success, some have not been as favored, but it's been a fun ride so far. It has made me stop being a Pixar fan boy long enough to search my true feelings for each of their films. In doing so I have had to be very honest in my likes and dis-likes which has lead to some interesting discoveries.

I think that Pixar's first four film were amazing, their fifth and sixth were ok, their seventh was really good, and their eighth and ninth were also just ok. Which leads us to their tenth and currently (until "Toy Story 3" comes out) latest film, "Up." After watching it this latest time, I realized that I really liked it and that it may be on par with their first four films. In many ways it was the most daring. Unlike many of their past films, it was hard to give a brief explanation for what the film is about. But I think in seriously thinking about it, the reason I love it is also what Pete Doctor said it was about: realizing how precious the people in our lives are, because once they are gone, they are gone.

Carl loved his wife, but when she died, he had such a hard time letting her go. We all have moments are will have moment like Carl were someone important in our lives will pass away, push us to let go of the past and move on with the future. But at the same time, still honoring the memory of that fallen person. The film is about enjoy the many adventures life puts in our way. While Carl looses his wife, he in time gains a new relationship with Russel, who while he does not replace the memory of Carl's wife, reflects the brave decision Carl makes to blaze new trails of adventures in life in the new chapters that are unfolding. I think I can find common ground with how Carl feels and the growth he builds on from start to finish in the film. Life is change, it is a huge part of being human, but it is still very hard, harder at some times then others. It is hard to watch family and friends pass away in time or fade away from your life and hard to deal with a change in life situations and surroundings. But with continuous courage, we can embrace the changes of our lives and enjoy each moment as they pass by. Carl shows us the way.

My Wife's Reaction: After watching the first ten Pixar films, it turns out that this is easily my wives favorite Pixar film. She says she is not sure why, that she just likes it the best, but I noticed she really liked Dug.

My Final Grade: (A) This was an amazing film. I loved the lush locations, the imagination found in the story and settings (I mean flying in a house tied to a zillion balloons? How cool is that?!) and the internal story facing our hero, Carl. This film earned being the second animated film to be nominated for Best Picture. It was in my mind, Pixar's best in a while.

All images copyright Disney/ Pixar. All rights reserved.

"Time for lunch... in a cup!"

Film: "Wall-E"

Release Date: 27 June 2008

Director: Andrew Stanton

History: Pixar's ninth film, "Wall-E" came to theaters summer of 2008. The last of the ideas from the famed lunch back in 1994 that a number of Pixar gurus had to come up with idea for films after "Toy Story," it was originally taken up and conceived by Andrew Stanton and Pete Doctor. Doctor left it in favor of directing "Monster's Inc." and left Stanton to hash it out by himself. Stanton left it alone for a while to work on "Finding Nemo," but then came back to it in 2002 after work on "Nemo" finished.

It went through a number of re-writes and story ideas before finally ending up with what became the finished film. The biggest idea was for EVE to be sent by aliens called Gels. The Gels were off-shoots of human and basically all that was left of humanity after 700 years in space. Slowly Stanton changed their appearance to be more human like till he arrived at the large, baby-like human beings that are in the final film. "Wall-E" also ended up being one of the most ambitious Pixar films to date with 125,000 story boards and complex space scenes. It featured sound effects including the voice of it;s title character from legendary sound artist Ben Burtt, who may be best known for being the "voice" of R2-D2 in "Star Wars" as well as creating the humm sound of the light sabers and the heavy breathing of Darth Vader.

It went on to win a number of awards, most notably the Academy Award for Best Animated Film as well as making Time Magazines' list for "Best Movies of the Decade." While not the highest grossing Pixar film, it made more then the previous year's Pixar film 'Ratatouille" and ended up with over $200 million at the Box Office in the US. Considering it was sandwiched between high grossing film "Iron Man," "Indiana Jones 4" and "The Dark Knight" and with it's very heavy social commentary, it did very well.

My Reaction: Ok, so there is no getting past it, "Wall-E" is very politically charged and certainly the biggest social commentary for a Pixar film. Rather then sweep it under the rug, it's best to get into it a little bit (which is really all I'm doing as you could easily write whole papers, and many have, on the themes and topics of this film).

I don't think there is much mistake, 'Wall-E" is many things to many people and maybe the first Pixar film that is so widely "you either love it or hate it, there is no middle ground." "Wall-E" is to capitalism what George Orwell's novel "1984" was to socialism/ communism. While "1984" illustrated the possible negative side effects of a socialist government, "Wall-E" shows us what capitalism can do left unchecked. The biggest and most profound example of this is how the fictional mega corporation Buy N Large essentially ends up becoming not just the government for the United States, but the whole world.

Under the leadership of Buy N Large, without anyone to stand in their way and in fact with most of, if not all the World population buying in to the Buy N Large way of life, the Earth becomes so polluted that humanity can't live on Earth anymore and our beautiful planet becomes nothing more then a giant landfill. In every way, this large part of the film challenges the audiences' way of life and raises the question about a number or somewhat sensitive, yet important topics in how we live our lives as a society. The first image I thought of after watching this this most recent time is the current British Petroleum oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Despite complaints about how the Obama Administration is or is not dealing with the crisis, the film left me wondering how different it would be if BP or another like-minded company WAS the government. It scares me to think about such a fate and how close we seem to be getting to one like the film depicts. I've heard many in conservative side of the debate express fears of a government out of control, but for me personally, I think they forget that there is always another side to every coin, and a mega corporation out of control can be just as bad and frightening. "Wall-E" does a good job of exploring this side of the debate. Either form of "government" can be bad if left unchecked.

Beyond the comments on capitalism and environmental issues lies questions about man's relationship to technology. While the film makes were not trying to show it to be bad, they were raising questions about how much we rely on it in our day-to-day lives. In Wall-E's world, human beings can't seem to do anything for themselves and need robots for everything. The film raises many question about this relationship and what it does to our humanity. There have also been Christian and mythological themes associated with the film.

Slightly less heavy themes or nods found would the Pixar teams love of musicals and classic tv shows and movies, with the most obvious being "Hello Dolly! I think my mind gets worked every time I see this film and it really is fascinating to me how much it seems to get discussion going amongst people with different World-views. I think out side of all of that, I find I get bored at times with "Wall-E." While I wasn't against the heavy themes or the pantomime found in much of the film, it just didn't do it for me like Pixar normally does. In fact I'd dare say Pixar the last few years has really been dragging. But it seems so silly in many ways as their version of "dragging" is most other studio's mega success. But I really loved the main characters of Wall-E and EVE and hope they get used for possible short subject cartoons later. I also thought it odd the live action scenes found in the film. Some may have liked them or seen they as "visionary," I didn't though.

My Wife's Reaction: She thought the cockroach was possibly the world first and only "cute" cockroach on the planet and found it fitting that it took Pixar to pull that off.

My Final Grade: (B-) Yes, I very much enjoy the philosophical debates the film brings up and the characters of Wall-E and EVE are some of the best Pixar has given us, but for whatever reason, it just didn't do it for me the way "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2" or "Cars" did. But still a fine film.

All images copyright Disney/ Pixar. All rights reserved.

"That's it. I'd like some fresh, clear, well seasoned perspective. Can you suggest a good wine to go with that? "

Film: "Ratatouille"

Release Date: 29 June 2007

Director: Brad Bird. Jan Pinkava

History: "Ratatouille" had an interesting history. Originally the brain child of "Geri's Game" (Pixar's award winning short from 1998) director Jan Pinkava in the early 2000's. He created the core story and ideas for the key characters, sets, and style for the film. It was meant to be the first Pixar film with a European flair about it as well as Pinkava's film debut as director. But then in 2005, the studio lacked confidence in his direction and approach and called in "The Incredibles" director Brad Bird to take over as head director. Pinkava stayed with Pixar a while more to finish up a few duties at the studio, and then left, being very tight lipped about his feelings or story of what happen. Bird came in a re-wrote the story by giving Skinner and Colette larger roles and killing off Gusteau as well as making the rats more rat like and less anthropomorphic in appearance.

"Ratatouille" was also meant to be the first Pixar film free from commitments from Disney. After tension between Pixar CEO Steve Jobs and then Disney CEO, Michael Eisner, about the terms of the contract between the two companies, 'Cars" was originally set to be the last Disney distributed Pixar film (as it was the fifth film in the five picture deal they had signed, with Disney not counting "Toy Story 2" because it was a sequel) and "Ratatouille" would be the first Pixar film distributed by another studio. Much of this came beside the feud over "Toy Story 2" also over the fact that Pixar felt that even though their film were making millions of dollars (their first five films grossed over $2.5 billion) that Disney was enjoy the fast majority of the profits even though all Disney did was market and distribute their films. There was further contention was the fact that Pixar had no copy rights on their own films and characters, Disney did. Meaning Disney could make films with Pixar characters without Pixar. This lead to "Toy Story 3" originally being a Disney only film. More on that in the review for that film, but after some shake ups at Disney in 2005 that lead to Eisner stepping down at Disney, and new talks with Pixar by new Disney CEO Bob Iger that lead to Disney merging with Pixar, "Cars" became the first film under the new Disney-Pixar banner with "Ratatouille" suddenly the second.

While a soft box office opening for Pixar in the US (still coming in number one for it's opening weekend, but with $47 million instead of the higher numbers Pixar film normally get) but became the highest grossing animated film in France, where the film takes place. It was also a critical darling despite the fact that's it's main villain was a critic. It went on to win a number of awards including the Academy Award for best Animated Film.

My Reaction: "Ratatouille" came out during a very busy Summer Movie season, at least for me it was. "Spider-Man 3" and "Fantastic Four 2" both came out that summer as well as the third film in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise and "Stardust." Add to that in the animation world during or just prior to "Ratatouille's" release the third "Shrek" film, "Meet the Robinsons," and "Surfs Up." Of course with both the second "National Treasure" and "Enchanted" both coming out later in the year, there were many films that caught my attention in 2007 and I'll be the first to admit, if "Ratatouille" had not been a Pixar film, I most likely would have skipped it with so many other movies that I shelled out the big bucks to see.

But after seeing it again, it reminded me that while not my favorite Pixar film, I'm still happy I saw it and even happy I own it. Some of the nuts and bolts about cooking, while happy they were there to show the proper flavor the film was going for (no pun intended), I found bored me at times. But one thing I very much was in awe by way how organic they made made the food look in the film, even though it was made by computers. Clearly the medium is reaching new heights these days. I also enjoyed similar to "Mulan" how one person, or in this case rat, can make a difference.

My Wife's Reaction: She, like most women I've ran across with this film, seemed grossed out by the rats at times. But she very much appreciated much of the story and that the rats sanitize themselves before cooking at the end.


My Final Grade: (B+) While not amongst the list of my favs from Pixar, still a good film. I enjoyed the lessons from the film and the determination Remy had in living his dream and not letting others stand in his way.

All images copyright Disney/ Pixar. All rights reserved.

"I create feelings in others that they themselves don't understand. "

Film: "Cars"

Release Date: 9 June 2006Director: John Lasseter, Joe Ranft

History: "Cars" was some more Pixar "firsts" and some "returns" for Pixar. It was the first Pixar film to use real life locations in it's story (Route 66) and the first Pixar film to have a large collection of main stream musicians behind the music for the film (very much so more then "Toy Story 2"). But it was the return of John Lasseter to the director's chair (the last time he has donned that chair to date) and Randy Newman scoring the music (his last go at it before this summer's "Toy Story 3"). It was also didn't receive the critical praise that seemed to get better and better for each Pixar film up to that point, nor did it earn the big bucks at the box office the same past Pixar films did.

But it wasn't all gloom and doom for "Cars." It won the first ever Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film as well as the Best Animated Feature Annie Awards. It also made up for any box office it may have lost for what by 2006 was expected for a Pixar film to make with posibly the biggest merchandise campaign for any Pixar film. "Cars" also kicked off the new normal for Pixar releases in the Summer as opposed to the Holiday Movie Season as well as since "Cars" came out in 2006, Pixar has released a film every year with two planed in 2012. "Cars" is also the first Pixar film announced to have a sequel after "Toy Story."

According to what is now Pixar lore, "Cars" was the brain child of Lasseter after taking a much needed family summer vacation back in 2000 that took him, his wife and five sons cross country. It also was further based upon his childhood growing up in Southern California when he first developed not just a love for all things animated, but also all things automotive as well as his dad's work as a parts manager at a So Cal Chevrolet dealership.

"Cars" was also a number of farewells for some talented individuals. Long time Pixar story man Joe Ranft passed away tragically after of all ironies a car crash during production of the film. In fact the film is dedicated to him at the end. It was also the last non-documentary film for legendary actor Paul Newman, which also turned out to be his highest grossing film at the box office. It was also the second-to-last film and certainly last major film for legendary comedian George Carlin.

My Reaction: Why "Cars" sometimes get slammed, I may never know. At the time of it's release it got some of the lowest critical reviews of any Pixar film and many see it as the end of Pixar's string of hits. And yet, even if that is true, it just goes to show how amazing Pixar truly is as most other Hollywood Studios would most likely take Pixar's failures over their own successes any day. And yet, in hind sight, it may be the biggest Pixar film since "Toy Story" when it comes to characters and audience acceptance. What it may have lacked in story (which still again would be just about any other studios major hit) it more then made up for in characters. The characters of Lightning and Mater especially seems to have really taken off with many people the World over.

While I was not so much a fan of the flashy moments connected to Lightning vivid imagination and the sometimes over-the-top racing scenes, I fully appreciate their necessity to balance out the lush, cozy, simple moments in Radiator Springs. Those were defiantly my favorite moments in the film. Pixar did in my mind, a great job of showing us the beauty of the natural world and the wonders found in simplistic settings. McQueen's transformation from a punk rookie hot-shot out to show the world how cool he is to the more mature, thoughtful racing star he is by films end really wowed me. I also loved the loving nods his name comes from with Lightning (think "Buzz" from "Toy Story" which also gave him his number "95" which was the year "Toy Story" came out) McQueen (for legendary actor and racing buff, Steve McQueen). The last connection is especially cool for me on a personal level as I have an uncle who got to know the real McQueen from his time racing in Las Vegas, NV.

Watching it again and so close to the Pixar film before, I actually started to see what I think is the distinctive styles of John Lasseter from Pete Doctor, Andrew Stanton and Brad Bird. Not that the other directors don't strive for this, but Lasseter seems to have it down better when it comes to the balance between character and story. I have noticed that Lasseter's films seem to be my more favorite Pixar films thus far with maybe Pete Doctor's after that (wait for my review of "Up" later.

What Lasseter wanted to do with "Cars" I think he achieved. It truly is the mother of all love notes to the automotive world. It does a great job of paying homage and giving winks and nods to every part of that world while still giving us a wide world of fun characters to get to know (and showing us why we would want to know them, much less spend time with them in the first place) as well as a well told tale to enjoy.

My Wife's Reaction: She really seemed to like Mater and it felt tome like she laughed more at the jokes in this film then maybe all the other Pixar films we have watched so far.

My Final Grade: (A-) I really enjoyed this film and unlike (sadly hate to admit this) the last two Pixar films, never once got board with this one. It was smart, cute and clever all at the same time. Unlike the "Monster's Inc." sequel planned in 2012 (that I worry about, go see my thought on my review for that film), I was very much ok with the sequel planned for this one next year in 2011. So long as they don't do a bad job with it, it could be a very enjoyable visiting Radiator Springs again. The original was wonderful, it begged it's audience to come visit again.

All Images Copyright Disney/ Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

"You mean you killed off real heroes so that you could *pretend* to be one? "

Film: "The Incredibles"

Release Date: 5 November 2004

Director: Brad Bird, Bill Wise

History: "The Incredibles" created new heights fro Pixar and the animation canvas. But to understand how these heights came to be, we'd have to first explore the origins of the film, possibly the oddest origins for a Pixar film to date. Unlike the previous Pixar films, "The Incredibles" was the brain child of established Pixar leadership, but rather started life over at Warner Bros. Feature Animation. Bird had just finished the animated film "The Iron Giant" at Warner and was ready to start work on another idea he had envisioned about a family of super heroes. At that time, Warner wasn't as interested in continuing their new Feature Animation department and rejected Bird's idea. Pixar's John Lasseter, a former classmate of Bird and head of Pixar Animation, was impressed with "The Iron Giant" and welcomed Bird to come over to Pixar with his family of super heroes idea.

It was accepted by Disney and work soon went under way, but not without it's problems. Many classically trained 2D animators around this time period found themselves having to work with 3D animation and it's differences from 2D. Bird was part of this group and his original idea for "The Incredibles" was as a 2D animated film. This lead to huge challenges at Pixar to make this movie. It was the longest Pixar film to date, the first to have an all human cast and had more locations then any of the previous Pixar films to date.

Similar to Andrew Stanton's idea for "Finding Nemo," "The Incredibles" original idea came from Bird's desire to be a better father, but finding it hard to balance fatherhood and work. Each of the super powers the Parr family has is a direct relationship to their place in the family. Fathers need to be powerful and strong, so Bob's power is super strength, mother's need to be flexible, hence Helyn Parr's powers, young sons are full of energy moving at what seems to be lightning speed to many parents, just like Dash and most teen girls just want to blend in to the crowd just like Violet's supper power.


Many see this film as the end of an era of sorts for Pixar as it was the last no questions hit with the next few films, while still successful, not as successful as every Pixar film from "Toy Story" to "The Incredibles." While in some ways it may have been the end of an era at Pixar, in other ways it was the beginning of new eras at Pixar, with the sudden new use of human characters being possibly the biggest example of that.

My Reaction: I've always loved super heroes. From Spider-Man (my top fave) to Superman to Batman, what's not to love? So when I first found out that Pixar was entering the world of super heroes, I admit I got a bit excited. Even more so when I found out that "The Iron Giant" director Brad Bird had moved to Pixar and was going to be behind this one.

Then I saw the film. After re-watching it I can honestly say that my opinion hasn't changed much. I love this film, but my biggest let down was "A" that it was a bit longer then I felt it should be and "B" that director Bird decided to bled super heroes with James Bond. Some may have liked the Bond-style stories points and locations, I didn't so much. Don't get me wrong, I loved the family idea behind it and of course the fight at the end and beginning were awesome, but the Bond-style I felt took away a bit from the story.

That said, I loved the characters and really hope they make at least one more film with them, if not two or maybe even three. Unlike a lot of other kinds of stories, I think super heroes films really lend themselves to sequels, like it's almost a necessity. I also loved the animation in this one (it's amazing how far Pixar has come since "Toy Story") and enjoyed the emotional issues facing the main hero, Bob Parr AKA Mr. Incredible. But my most favorite moment may have been towards the end when the last of the Nine Old Men, Olly Johnson and Frank Thomas, made their cameo in the film. I have heard many say that Pixar is the new Disney, and if that is so, how fitting that these great animators who in some ways may have had more to do with building the great Disney legacy then even Walt himself (knock on wood) got to be including in a Pixar film? It's ecpecially cool when you think that not that much after, both men passed away. I for one am happy they got to be in it, even if most people who watched it have no idea who they were and why they should care.


My Wife's Reaction: Again, she seemed to like it.

My Final Grade: (B) I wanted to give this one a higher grade, but it just didn't do it for me as well as past Pixar films did. I realize I may loose what ever audience I have after reading this grade and then seeing my grade for "Cars," which many saw as Pixar's weakest film since "A Bug's Life" (another films I really loved and feel is underrated) but I have to be brutally honest with my thoughts here. Again, had they shortened it a bit and taken out the Bond-like feel, I bet the grade would have been much higher. Don't think that means I'm totally against Bond-like stories, in fact sometimes I like them. I just didn't like them in this film. But of the Pixar films to date, this is the lowest grade I feel any of them deserve, I promise! :D

All images copyright Disney/ Pixar. All rights reserved.

"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.

"Candy Corn! Let me help you to finish it!"

Film: "A Bug's Life"

Release Date: 25 November 1998


Director: John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton

History: The second of the Pixar films and sandwiched in between the first two "Toy Story" films, "A Bug's Life" seems to get the short end of the Pixar stick and is often over looked in favor of "Toy Story," "Monster's Inc.," and "Finding Nemo." But "A Bug's Life's" achievements should not be over looked. It was the first non-"Toy Story" Pixar film and it's success proved that Pixar was not just a one trick pony.Making over $160 million domestically and with a ton of high praise from the movie review world, "A Bug's Life" showed it had the right stuff. Which was good as it faced stiff competition form the other "bug" movie "Antz."

There was controversy in the animation world between these two films. Both films seemed very similar to each other and where coming out at the same time. Dreamwork's Jeffrey Katzenberg, who was head of Disney Animation originally left Disney in August of 1994 when "A Bug's Life" director John Lasseter and then Pixar owner Steve Jobs claimed "A Bug's Life" was originally pitched at Disney. Katzenburg claimed "Antz" was pitched to him back in 1991, but there was a "bug" movie in the works at Disney as early as 1988.


Dreamworks was working hard on their first major animated film, "The Prince of Egypt," which was set to be released the same holiday season as "A Bug's Life." Katzenburg asked Pixar to change the release date to "A Bugs Life" to avoid a show down with "The Prince of Egypt." For doing this, he offered to stop production on "Antz." Pixar refused and in response "Antz" was moved up from being released March 1998 to October 1998, right before "A Bug's Life" came out. But despite Dreamworks attempt to derail Pixar, "A Bug's Life" ended up making more money domestically and intentionally then either Dreamworks film.

My Reaction: I have a hard time singling out a single Pixar film as my favorite. It's like deciding who your favorite child is. But, when I get really serious and take off my Pixar Fan Boy glasses, I may have to say in many way this is my favorite Pixar movie. It's almost blasphemy to say that as all the Pixar film are amazing, but there is just something about the story of the out of place ant that sings to me. Maybe it's because I relate rather well to the main character Flick. Just like Flick I find I don't fit in to society. Just like Flick I find that it always seems that the harder I try to fit in, the more i find I really don't. And just like Flick, I find that I let other's doubts and expectations bring me down to the point where I don't life up to my full expectations, yet when I'm able to put all of that aside and just be myself, few could match my ingenuity, creativity and thoughtfulness.

There are so many great lessons to be learned here. Don't let others stand in the way of your dreams, don't let people bully you around, be yourself, loyalty goes a long way and many times what we originally think is a big mistake ends up working out to be the best thing ever. I love how the ants at the end band together to face Hopper. Team work goes a long way it seems. I also love the comedy of errors this film end up to be. At first, both the ants and the circus bugs think the other is something they are not. But, in the end, even when they find out the other is not what they thought they were, they find out the other is what they need. Even though they are not amazing warriors or a high paying gig, they end up playing their weakness as strengths to defeate the grasshoppers. All lessons that many of us need to take to heart.


My Wife's Reaction: This was the second time she ever saw this film, with the first time being when it came out in theaters, so this was her first time seeing it on DVD. She seemed to enjoy it and said she liked it.

My Final Grade: (A) I know there are many who may call it almost blasphemous that I give "A Bug's Life" a higher grade then "Toy Story," but I just feel that this film was more exciting, better told and did a much better job show casing its characters. It did a great job of let us get know more then just Flick and the locations it depicts are just beautiful.

All images copyright Disney/ Pixar. All rights reserved.