Monday 19 November 2012

Pixar Films, Best to Worst - November 2012

Pixar Films Best to Worst
There have been 13 released Pixar films. Most of them have been a critical success, only one has failed critically (spotlight on Cars 2). However, I don't think any of them have been all that bad! Here's my countdown, from 13 - 1. Check back occasionally, it might change. ;)

13. Cars 
It can't be classed as a disaster really. Cars was lighthearted, visually appealing, imaginative and amusing in parts. But, when your competing with Pixar greats such as Toy Story and Finding Nemo, which are some of the best, Cars is pretty much as bad as it could get, for Pixar standards. But, it is still miles ahead of most animated films, thanks to Pixar's ridiculously high standards.
Favourite Character: Guido! - For being hilarious and brightening up every scene his in, without saying more than 1 or 2 words in Italian.
Favourite Moment: McQueen pushing King over the line, finally giving the film some of the depth that was missing the whole way through.

12. Cars 2 
Cars wasn't Pixar's best, as we know. So why on earth would they make a sequel? Many critics thought they were running out of ideas, or perhaps they just want to sell more toys? I think they just wanted to tell another story, with a different protagonist. Mater. Cars 2 is very different from Cars, the action is second only to The Incredibles in Pixar standards and frankly, the visuals are unbelievable. The plot isn't too bad, but there is no depth that has become Pixar's trademark.
Favourite Character: Guido still! His screen time is reduced in the sequel sadly, but he's still great isn't he?
Favourite moment: The final action seen, even if it wasn't 'Pixar' it was still very entertaining, there's no doubt in that.

11. Wall-E.
Gasp, I hear you say. How can he put Wall-e so far down the list?! Truth be told, I enjoyed the film, it's charm, audacity and humour, but because of the high standards, Wall-e doesn't cut it for me. It is still fantastically clever, but it doesn't match up to some of the titans down there. 
Favourite Character: Wall-E of course! This little guy is so unbelievably brilliant. He is the reason this film was an undisputed hit.
Favourite Moment: When Wall-E discovers a fire extinguisher and he decides to explore space a little bit. Genius.

10.Brave 
It exceeded expectations for me. Brave offered up the tale of Merida, a young Scottish princess, who simply wants to live her life her way. Pixar told this story expertly (as only Pixar could). Not only did it offer up a handful of memorable set of characters (Merida's whole family) it showed us some of the best animations ever produced, by any animation company. 
Favourite Character(s): The Triplets. These three guys are little devils, but they manage to please adults and children alike.
Favourite Moment: Merida and the triplets attempting to sneak Bear Elinor out of the castle, whilst Fergus and his gang hunt them down. What a piece of brilliance.

9. The Incredibles 
Definitely the most thrilling of all of the Pixar films. Maybe number 2 could argue against that, but that isn't what makes number 2 brilliant. Anyway, back to The Incredibles. The Incredibles makes normal, mundane, family life, exciting. That is the true magic of the first part of the film. Then, everything goes wild. Cars explode, superheroes get tossed around and massive robots smash up town centres. That's what you get for partnering up with Disney. 
Favourite Character: E. Isn't she delightful daaaaaarliing?
Favourite Moment: E showing Helen the excellence of her new outfits. Wonderful. 

8. Monsters  Inc. 
Within seconds, I wanted to check every nook and cranny in my house for a monsters. Or an escaped child. The plot is instantly believable, because we have all thought about it! Pixar are brilliant at making weird situations from our childhood, interesting, entertaining and fun! Sulley, Mike, Roz and Boo are really the only memorable characters, which is why this is quite high up, even if it is a classic. 
Favourite Character: Mike. Put that thing back or so help meeee. So help me, so help me and cut!
Favourite Moment: I'll be watching Wazowski, always watching.


7. Toy Story 2 
I've done it again! Put another classic to high up! Oh well. Toy Story 2 deftly blends emotion, humour and action, into a fairly short amount of time. It also sees the return of Andy's beloved toys and the addition of some brilliant new ones, who we learn to love as much as the originals. This time, the main problem of the story is possibly even more perilous than it's predecessor.
Favourite Character: Rex, our favoured dinosaur, who is TERRIFYING. Honest.
Favourite Moment: The Star Wars spoof, I AM YOUR FATHER.


6. Toy Story
Listed by film aggregator Rotten Tomatoes as the joint greatest film of all time (along with Toy Story 2 no less!), Toy Story is genuinely brilliant. Because Pixar's first film was so brilliant, it made the films after it have so much hype, that the majority of them deserved. Introducing us to a whole new world, Toy Story is the godfather of animation and changed the way Hollywood thought about the then infamous animation industry.
Favourite Character: Rex. He's even scarier in this one!
Favourite Moment: BUZZ! Your flying! 
This isn't flying! This is falling, with style!


5.  A Bug's Life 
Very few people would have A Bug's Life so low down on their list. I, however, think it is absolutely brilliant. A whole host of memorable characters (See one of my other blogs 'Top 20 Pixar Characters' for my favourites) make this film great. A surprisingly good plot line and possibly one of the best Disney villains of all time, Hopper, are other key factors that make this film a treasure to watch.
Favourite Character: Heimlich. This gluttonous caterpillar is voiced brilliantly by the late Joe Ranft. 
Favourite Moment: The end scene, where the circus bugs leave in an emotional farewell.

4. Ratatouille 
It's imaginative. It's funny. It's memorable. It's moving. It's Pixar. Probably the most imaginative Pixar film (only Wall-E can beat it really) ever, Ratatouille is brilliant. Even if it only leaves a handful of memorable characters. Crucially, Ratatouille brings out a whole new angle to Pixar. We see a very entertaining, personal side to Pixar, which works. 
Favourite Character: Emile! He's like Heimlich, so how could I not like him! I enjoyed him particularly when he propelled grapes at Linguini.
Favourite Moment: The rats running the kitchen. Using every method, skill and trait they have to help Remy serve Ego. The scene is a brilliant example of Pixar's boundless imagination.

3. Finding Nemo
This is where the films get insanely good. Naturally, you can tell a film is popular when it's the best-selling DVD of all time. Finding Nemo is a dream for cinema-goers. Quite literally. 'Nemo' has such a beautiful wide variety of characters, an astonishingly well-thought out plot and moving situation, that hardly any critics could fault it. Only 2 critics on Rotten Tomatoes could find faults with it. Frankly, they shouldn't have a job. 
Favourite Character: Dory! Who didn't fall in love with the natural blue? Ellen DeGeneres brings her to life. She creates one of the most memorable (certainly one of the most famous) Disney characters of all time.
Favourite Moment: Nigel flying into the dentist's room and causing havoc. Then Gill saves Nemo and our dreams are fulfilled.


2. Toy Story 3 
In 2010, Pixar released Toy Story 3. Bringing back the most successful animated franchise of all time. (Rotten Tomatoes indicates that only 3 critics haven't liked the franchise, they're a bit weird). Let's be honest, all our hearts skipped a beat when the lights went down in the cinema and the opening titles began. A host of new characters are introduced, just increase the already unbelievable levels of fun. Pixar pour it's heart and soul into this. And boy can you tell.
Favourite Character: Rex still. Even though I adore Bonnie's new toys and Mr Potato Head, he still wins me over.
Favourite Moment: Andy saying goodbye. It made grown men cry. Enough said.


1. Up
I originally had Toy Story 3 at the top spot. Then I watched Up again! It's so damn brilliant! The montage at the start brings tears to multiple eyes. Russel, Dug and Kevin's antics leave us in stitches. We believe the storyline, because it is told so brilliantly. In my opinion, Up is the best animated movie of all time, and one of the best movies of all time. Although it was financially less successful than 'Nemo' and 'Toy Story 3', it won me over. Then it won me over more. And more. Perfection, from Hollywood's finest.
Favourite Character: Dug! He's my favourite Pixar character, mostly because of the way he greets Carl and Russel. And because he's brilliant.
Favourite Moment: Anything involving Dug; what a legend.

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