From the 2000’s on, I am splitting my movie challenge so that the Pixar films are separate.
Monsters Inc, 2001 I was trying to parse out what made this movie so great. I realized that it was craftsmanship. Everything works together- the story, the characters, the art, the voice acting, the themes, even the background music. It makes you realize that you can have the same ingredients and make an award winning dish or something barely edible.
Finding Nemo, 2003 I forgot how traumatizing the early scene is- I think I used to cue up the VCR to start after that for my daughter. This story about parenting, especially parenting a kid who has struggles, really touches a deep place. “I promised him I wouldn’t ever let anything happen to him.” – Marlin “Huh, that’s a weird promise. You can’t never let anything happen to him. Then nothing would ever happen to him.”- Dory. Chicken Little tried to tell this story too, but didn’t quite reach the mark, probably because it was only from the son’s perspective.
The Incredibles, 2004 This is our family’s all-time favorite. When we went to see it in the theater, my daughter had to run back and forth in front of the screen to get her feelings out. This became a tradition for many years after. One of the reasons I love this movie is it is one of the few with two parents in it, dealing with not only their children’s issues, but their own relationship. It also addressed the common problem with superheroes, in that defeating the bad guys means massive damage, as well as villains who try to outpower the supers.
Cars, 2006 This is my least favorite Pixar film. The main character is a jerk through most of the movie, the side characters are dull. Also, why are tractors not sentient? For that matter, why do cars exist in this world? This story has more questions than the world-building in Pokemon or why Pluto and Goofy are both dogs. Maybe this movie has more appeal to race fans. I don’t feel that Lightning’s turnaround was convincing.
Ratatouille, 2007 Rats making food is a very tough sell, but this movie manages it somehow. It is charming and inspiring instead of just…gross. Forgot how upsetting the beginning of the movie is- rats are shot and nearly drown. Remy is adorable and you really feel for him, trying to pursue a dream that his family doesn’t even understand. My one problem with this film is my fear of swarms. No matter how cute the thing swarming is, I don’t care if it was puppies or butterflies- swarms set off some primal reaction in me. My son watched part of this and decided that the food critic was actually undead, a zombie or a vampire, and that Remy’s food was the first he could actually taste. Interesting fan theory! I like that there is a reconciliation with Remy’s father and family.
Wall-E, 2008– This is such a great movie, and also upsetting, because I see humanity getting closer and closer to this dystopia. I guess you’d say this is the most heartwarming post-apocalyptic precautionary tale ever. Wall-e is endearing, Eva is frightening with her laser gun, the rogue robots are hilarious, as is the ever-patient Mo trying to clean after Wall-e. The squishy humans are not evil, just placid, and a kick in the butt gets them back to saving the planet they destroyed. The man who played the Captain, Jeff Garlin, was so moved by this story that he started eating healthy and living sustainably, and wrote a book about it. The “don’t be dead” scene was extremely effective.Watch the end credits for some beautiful art that goes from cave painting through different styles of eras to modern day.
Up, 2009 Pixar made another great movie that you want to fast forward past the first section. Don’t fast forward. Meeting Ellie is worth the pain of losing her. Carl isn’t just a one-note grouchy old guy. He put juice in the construction guy’s car. He sells balloons for a living. He tricks a scout into going snipe hunting. Don’t worry about the laws of physics in this movie. His balloons are obviously magical and run on his optimism and love for his wife. I was surprised at how long Russel stayed outside of the flying house on the porch. Hours? I love Dug, he is the bestest boy. I forgot how evil Munz is, I don’t think I caught before that he had killed many people in defense of his hunt for the bird, and I had forgotten that he tried to kill Russel. I also love the realization that Carl has, that Ellie did have adventures, even if she didn’t travel. “Boring stuff is the stuff I remember the most.”- says Russel.
Toy Story 3, 2010 I so did not want to revisit this movie. It’s depressing and disturbing, and I feel like Toy Story’s arc was complete already. Andy is going to college, the toys are supposed to go into storage, but instead end up at a daycare run by an evil bear. Most of the rest of the movie is a prison break followed by watching a bunch of beloved characters stare into almost certain death. The scene at the end where Andy gives away his toys to a kind little girl was a well-done bit of closure. (I’m not crying, it must be allergies).
I have quite a few to go before my self-imposed deadline. Want to join in? Ask me for the list.
