"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.

"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.

"YOU ARE A TOY!"

Film: "Toy Story"

Release Date: 21 November 1995

Director: John Lasseter

History: It's funny to think that back in 1995, no one had ever heard of Pixar or knew that they were an animation studio. Funny to think that a little movie by the name of "Toy Story" was going to start an animation revolution and that that revolution would lead to the future of the entire animation industry!

And yet back in 1995, no one had any idea what this film would do to animation, Hollywood and that Woody and Buzz would be about as big and desired by little children as Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh!

So much has been said about this land mark film that grossed $191 million at the Box Office in North America, won 8 Annie Awards (the Animation version o the Oscars), won director and Pixar head John Lasseter a special Oscar "for the development and inspired application of techniques that have made possible the first feature-length computer-animated film," as well as a number of other awards and honors, that it seems like you can't possibly add any more to say.
Maybe the greatest honor this film received was in 2005 when it was added to the United States Nation Film Registry. The film that put Pixar on the map, it included songs and a movie score written by the legendary Randy Newman (who would go on to do the same to a number of other Pixar films) with voice talents by top Hollywood stars Tom Hanks and Tim Allen.


It's interesting to note that while Lasseter always wanted Hanks for the role of the pull string cowboy, Allen wasn't the first choice for the space ranger. Comedian Billy Crystal was originally given the chance to play Buzz, but turned it down. He later voiced Mike Wazowski in Pixar's later film "Monster's Inc." Allen, who at the time was on top of the entertainment world as Tim Taylor on the top rated show "Home Improvement" was offered the role by then Disney Exec Jeffery Katzenburg.

Besides being written by Pixar royalty John Lasseter (the director, as well as director of "Toy Story 2," "A Bug's Life," "Cars" and being the head of Pixar and now Disney Animation), Pete Doctor (who later directed "Monster's Inc" and "Up"), Andrew Stanton (who later directed "Finding Nemo," and "Wall-E"), and Joe Ranft (who was the story man for every Pixar film from "Toy Story" to "Cars" as well as the voice of such characters as Heimlich the Caterpillar from "A Bug's Life," and Wheezy the Penguin in "Toy Story 2"), the film was also written by fan boy favorite Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, and director for the up coming Marvel film "The Avengers") and Joel Cohen and Alec Sokolow, who would go one to write a number of family friendly films, including this film's sequel.

It's success would be what forged the Pixar/ Disney relationship with what originally was a three movie deal that ultimately ended up being a merger and a very successful partnership. Many have pointed out that without Pixar, Disney just would not make any money at the box office with animation as most of their in-house projects have not done as well the last decade or so. Many also have found similarities with Lasseter and the great Walt Disney. Either way, this film kicked off what has become the greatest success story in Hollywood history with 10 films make to date and all 10 winning box office gold and critical acclaim, with most likely an eleventh hit this summer with this films second sequel, "Toy Story 3."


My Reaction: I love "Toy Story." Not because of all the awards and honors it has received over the years. Not because it made a bunch of money. Not because it was the first computer animated film or the first film from Pixar, who has earned my fandom a zillion times over. But because of how simple it actually is. How much I find myself resonating with main characters Buzz and Woody. These guys have the ultimate love/ hate relationship, something I know a thing or two about have two younger brothers.

"Toy Story" came at an interesting time in my life. I have always loved animation and wanted to be an animator. In my adult life, that dream has not yet happened, and I wonder if it actually ever will, but this film blew me away so much that at the time I had to be an animator. It was just so amazing all the colors and the sounds and the characters and story. I wanted so bad to be part of that world.

Looking back on it now, while maybe clearly the animation isn't as good as what one would find today (most animated films will have this problem ultimately), I still find myself getting giddy when I see it. It brings me back to when I was a kid, bot watching this film in the theaters for the first time and when I would play with my own toys and wonder if they came to life when I left. I think most kids think that sometime or another, so the fact that that theme is present is just perfect.

Other themes from this film, some I figured out were there as an adult include feelings of being left out or behind, dealing with jealousy, the value of not jumping to conclusions, taking care of what you have, being ok with yourself and who you are, the value of friendship and team work, trust, love and leadership. Mostly you have two characters who come to terms not only with reality and who they are and their role in that reality, but that they really need each other. But, they have to learn this the hard way.


I love how before they can bond together as best of friends, first they have to learn about themselves as individuals and figure some things out, then and only then can they take their whole selves and become a team. Buzz and Woody, while maybe being toys, are very human. By watching their struggles and adventures, we can learn more about what it means to be human as well as how important it is that we let other people into our lives.

I love how the other toys learn lessons too. Villain Sid learns to take better care of what he has, his toys learn to stand up for themselves, and Andy's toys learn to not jump to conclusions. It was also fun looking for all the details that are part of every Pixar film. Fans of Tim Allen's "Home Improvement" will spot a fun nod to the show at the end of the film. Pay close attention to what brand is on the tool box that hold Woody in the blue crate at the end of the movie. Also pay close attention to the books behind Woody at the beginning of the film. The titles on the books are every Pixar short to that point. Besides fun Easter eggs is the great detail put into things like marks on the base board in Andy's room, or how many scuff marks are on Sid's desk.

It is also fun to note that Buzz got his name from real life astronaut Buzz Aldrin. This movie will always have a soft spot in my heart. Watching it again reminded me how much fun it is too, and yet how much warmth it has. Truly this film is an amazing achievement. I could not imagine a World any more without Buzz and Woody in it.

My Wife's Reaction: "I like this movie." "Sid's door is gross!"

My Final Grade: (A-) This film in my mind was really strong on character at least where the starts Buzz and Woody are concerned defiantly. The story is well told, but as amazing as the film is, I just couldn't give it any higher then an A- for my grade. It felt stiff and sluggish at times, but that in part may be because the animation was so new at the time and since it has gotten a lot better. I wish we had seen more of the supporting characters in this one.

All images copyright Disney/ Pixar. All rights reserved.