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Pixar Features: Final Ranking

Way back in June 2019, I began my reviews and rankings of the Pixar feature films. Over a year later and I have managed to finish this task. It was just one of those things were I kept forgetting to complete it and before you know it, two more films had been released!

Pixar is one of the strongest animation studios in the world and it’s not hard to see why. The feature films have collectively won 16 Academy Awards with 10 of them for Best Animated Film. From the brilliantly developed characters, stunning animation and star-studded casts, Pixar has been churning out blockbusters since they brought out their debut feature Toy Story in 1995 which won the studio a Special Achievement Oscar as the Best Animated Feature category was introduced in 2002.

You can catch up with the reviews here:

Films 1-5

Films 6-10

Films 11-15

Films 16-22


Here is my ranking from bottom to top:

22) Cars 3 (2017)

21) Cars 2 (2011)

20) Cars (2006)19) The Good Dinosaur (2015)

18) Monsters University (2013)

17) Brave (2012)

16) Finding Dory (2016)

15) The Incredibles 2 (2018)

14) A Bug’s Life (1998)

13) Toy Story (1995)

12) Toy Story 4 (2019)

11) Onward (2020)

10) The Incredibles (2004)9) Finding Nemo (2003)

8) Monsters, Inc (2001)

7) Toy Story 3 (2010)

6) Rataouille (2007)

5) Inside Out (2015)

4) Coco (2017)

3) Toy Story 2 (1999)

2) WALL-E (2008)

1) Up (2009)So that’s that. The next Pixar film due to be released is Soul however I am not sure if it has been delayed and if so then for how long.

What did you think of my reviews and rankings? Let me know what you think in the comments!

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Pixar Features Ranking: Films 16-22

It’s about time I added the final installment for this series of posts and get myself up to date. Admittedly I did not do this in time for Toy Story 4 or even Onward like I wanted but better late than never I suppose. Much like Disney, we’re well into the era of sequels, prequels and remakes and Pixar isn’t exempt to this although the enormous success of Inside Out has opened Pixar’s eyes to dedicating itself more to creating original content. Only three of the six films in this post are original but the fact that Pixar have planned several originals for the future and less franchise releases shows a step in the right direction. Pixar thrives off its originality and it is the imagination of these films that make them stand out.

If you need to catch up with the series, here are the links to the previous posts below:

Films 1-5

Films 6-10

Films 11-15

As I have mentioned before, the films in this post do follow the trend for nostalgia and rebooting franchises by bring back loved films from the Finding Nemo and The Incredibles universe as well as the long-awaited sequel to Toy Story 3. I am glad that Pixar have originals planned for the future because the prequel/sequel trend has worn thin now and the films aren’t bad but they don’t hold their ground against the originals.

Here are the reviews for Pixar films 16-22:

16) The Good Dinosaur (2015)

Set in a world where dinosaurs didn’t go extinct, The Good Dinosaur chronicles the friendship between a shy Apatosaurus named Arlo and a young boy called Spot. Featuring a starry cast including Frances McDormand and Jeffrey Wright, this film sadly became Pixar’s first box office bomb despite it’s positive reviews. It’s a rare Pixar original during the flurry of franchises and coming after the brilliant Inside Out, it didn’t really stand a chance. I felt really underwhelmed by this film overall. I loved the background design and nature backdrops but the animation of the film’s characters clashed in a way that made for a confusing viewing experience. The film feels as if it doesn’t quite give the emotional punch that it could have done as it explores the deep confusion and complexity of losing a parent at an early age. It’s a film that means well but sadly doesn’t fill its potential.

17) Finding Dory (2016)

Finding Dory follows everyone’s favourite forgetful fish who finds herself swimming across the ocean to locate her parents who she lost when she was younger. Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) is just as lovable as ever and it’s great seeing her get her own film. She ventures to the Marine Life Institute in California where she is captured and quarantined leaving Marlin and Nemo in a position to rescue her. Dory is one of the best loved characters in the Pixar universe and the film’s critical and commercial success (which saw the film break $1 billion at the box office) proves this. The film suffers from feeling unoriginal as the situation is identical but on the other side of the world with the characters swapped around. I understand that the title makes that clear and the search for her parents makes it different but I felt underwhelmed by the film as a whole.

18) Cars 3 (2017)

I did not go into this film with high hopes. Anyone who has been following my Pixar rankings will know that the Cars franchise is simply not my cup of tea. What baffled me the most about this sequel is that it feels really forced and added on. Like Cars 2, it feels as though protsgonist Lightning McQueen hasn’t actually learned any lessons from the previous installment and must take yet another whole film to his humility and learn the importance of friends and family. It’s not clear what the intention of Cars 3 is as McQueen struggles with the realisation that his racing days may be coming to an end. The character arc from the previous two installments should present a McQueen who is eager to pass on the mantel and train the next generation but what we are presented with is the McQueen from the beginning of the first two films who is arrogant and refuses to accept anything other than a first place win.

19) Coco (2017)

By far the best film in this list and a true testament to Pixar’s love of incorporating different cultures into their films, Coco is a Mexican based tale set on Dios de las Muertos and follows aspiring musician Miguel who longs to sing despite his family’s strict ban on music. It’s a tale that explores the importance of family and identity and is guaranteed to have you in tears at the climatic scene with his Grandma Coco. It also portrays dementia in an accurate way that is educational for children and emotionally relatable for adults. Coco isn’t afraid to delve in darker topics such as death as the majority of the film takes place in the afterlife where Miguel encounters his dead relatives. The soundtrack, written by duo Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez is even better than Frozen in my opinion. I think the songs really capture the heritage and tone of the film perfectly with songs such as the Oscar-winning “Remember Me” and “Proud Corazon” bringing the film to life.

20) The Incredibles 2 (2018)

One of the Pixar films that I did not imagine would ever get a sequel, The Incredibles 2 follows directly on from the first. As expected, the dialogue was punchy, Mrs. Incredible (voiced by Holly Hunter) is feminist as always and the score is somehow even better than the first. My only problem with this film is that it is pretty much a carbon copy of the first film but the roles are reversed with Mrs. Incredible taking on the challenge and Mr. Incredible staying at home. I also had a bit of an issue with the animation itself. With it being a superhero movie, I expect it to be fast-paced with a lot of colours and flashing lights but there was one particular scene that had so much strobe lighting that it was hard to concentrate and was (literally) painful to watch and gave me a headache. It was an uneasy sequence to watch and ruined the film a bit for me, particularly because it didn’t need to be in there.

21) Toy Story 4 (2019)

I wrote a full review when I went to see this which you can read here so I won’t spend too much time repeating myself. Featuring the star-studded cast lead by Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, the fourth installment follows the toys in the care of Bonnie, the lovable little girl who Andy gifts the gang to. Woody finds it hard to belong under Bonnie’s care and what follows is an adventure of identity and family. It’s wasn’t a necessary film but it definitely was worth the wait. Not to mention that Forky is one of the best characters to come from the Toy Story franchise.

22) Onward (2020)

The first of two original Pixar films initially planned to be released this year (I’m not too sure if the release of Soul has been delayed or not), Onward is set in a mythical alternative universe populated by trolls, goblins and pixies among other creatures. Following young elf teenager, Ian Lightfoot (voiced by Tom Holland) and his older brother Barley (Chris Pratt) as they navigate being seen as outcasts by their peers. When Ian turns 16, their mum Laurel (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) gives the boys a wizard staff that belonged to their father before his passed. Ian finds out he possesses some powers and managers to resurrect his father’s legs and the boys are against the clock as they have to figure out how to resurrect the rest of him within 24 hours. Of course, in true Pixar fashion, the film explores the brothers’ relationship and their relationship with their mother and others. Despite the film’s fantasy setting, I found its depiction of parental loss and its affect on the children to be among the most accurate put to the film. The desperation to see their father again and the pain the brothers go through organic and real as they constantly bicker and argue like siblings but would do anything for each other. I think the film is hugely underrated and feel that it is among the better films Pixar has released in recent years.

So with all of the reviews completed, I am now faced with the task of ranking them. It wasn’t as difficult as previous posts (mainly the second installment) but it’s interesting to see where the likes of Coco and Toy Story 4 rank up against the legendary films. I do think that Coco is the film of this bunch that is likely to become the best known one and with good reason.

Here is the up-to-date ranking:

1) Up (2009)

2) WALL-E (2008)

3) Toy Story 2 (1999)

4) Coco (2017)

5) Inside Out (2015)

6) Ratatouille (2007)

7) Toy Story 3 (2010)

8) Monsters, Inc. (2001)

9) Finding Nemo (2003)

10) The Incredibles (2004)

11) Onward (2020)

12) Toy Story 4 (2019)

13) Toy Story (1995)

14) A Bug’s Life (1998)

15) The Incredibles 2 (2018)

16) Finding Dory (2016)

17) Brave (2012)

18) Monsters University (2013)

19) The Good Dinosaur (2015)

20) Cars (2006)

21) Cars 2 (2011)

22) Cars 3 (2017)

Looking at the final ranking, it seems such a shame that the calibre for Pixar films reaches a slump. They had such a flourishing first decade and dominated cinema but then crippled by Disney’s desire for sequels and prequels. This evidently lowered Pixar’s standards but hopefully they will continue to make the original films that audiences really love.

What do you think of my final ranking? Which Pixar film is your favourite? Let me know in the comments below!

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Why Parasite’s win is important

Going into the 92nd Academy Awards, it seemed that pretty much every category was a lock. Joaquin Phoenix was favoured to take home the Best Actor gong for Joker, Renee Zellweger winning Best Actress for Judy and Sam Mendes was the strong favourite to win Best Director for 1917 with the latter ultimately winning Best Picture. How much the Academy surprised us then when the Best Director trophy was awarded to Bong Joon-ho for Parasite and then his film won the Best Picture award, beating the odds. Personally I was very happy as I had placed a bet on Parasite to win so there was a monetary reward for myself but the happiness goes to another more serious level. 1917 is a prime example of a quintessential award film. Don’t get me wrong, 1917 is a brilliant film that is full of revolutionary technical achievement, particularly Roger Deakins’ cinematography but it is no secret that the Academy and other Western award bodies have a love affair with war films. So much so that it has become a running joke in the film industry that to win awards, you have to make or star in a war film.

For those who are not in the know, Parasite is a Korean film exploring classism and inequality in a society that only benefits the rich and leaves those poorer to live in the gutter (quite literally). It has been the source of much hype since its premiere at last year’s Cannes Film Festival where it won the top prize, the Palme d’Or, in a rare unanimous vote, marking the first Korean film to win the prestigious award. Korean cinema is among the best in the world and has been a leading institution for years for filmmakers and film lovers and it felt like it was finally getting its due in the mainstream. Bong Joon-ho has previously delved into English-language with Snowpiercer (2013) and Okja (2017) which have become much-loved modern classics and released to acclaim; however, I think it’s poignant that Bong’s ascendance to the global audience has come from a Korean-language film that explores Korean society. It is very much detached from Western society in both its subject matter and filmmaking technique, allowing Bong to direct without the restrictions that Western studios demand. The fact that a film like Parasite, a film that is inherently unique in its style and content can beat a film like 1917 shows that there is an appetite for a different kind of film experience. It also shows a promising step forward in what audiences now expect. Naturally, franchises such as the Marvel and DC films still top the box office but Parasite concrete proof that people want more variety in the cinemas as well. Parasite’s subsequent box office success after its award wins confirms this. Now that it’s been given the chance to screen in more cinemas, it’s been able to demonstrate that there is an audience who want to watch foreign-language films, snubbing the assumption that Western audiences don’t want to watch films with subtitles.

There are many people who dismiss award season as pointless and dim, viewing it as celebrities patting themselves on the back. I don’t think it is as simple as that though. The truth is people do pay attention to awards season and follow the films that are successful. Of course, a lot of time there are the usual suspects who are nominated time and time again, sometimes undeservedly but when you have a film like Parasite that isn’t given the same chance as a mediocre English-language film then the exposure that award season brings is crucial for the film’s box office success.

Overall, there were some brilliant films this award season but Parasite was the clear standout. The fact that it won the major awards is a sign that the Academy is looking at artistic merit and not just succumbing to making it a popularity contest. Parasite’s win may not seem significant but the importance cannot be understated. Hopefully this will spark the beginning of an awards body that seeks to be more inclusive and diverse, giving all films an equal chance.

Here are my reviews for some of the films of the 92nd Academy Awards:

Winners: 1917, Joker, Jojo Rabbit, Judy, Marriage Story, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Parasite, Toy Story 4

Nominees: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Bombshell, The Irishman, The Lighthouse, The Two Popes

Snubs: Dolemite Is My Name, Hustlers, Midsommar, Uncut Gems

What did you think of Parasite’s winning streak at the Oscars? Let me know in the comments below!

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Disneyland Paris – November 2019

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Obviously, my blog focuses on the wonderful world of film but I thought that I would take a “half break” and write a post all about my time at the happiest place on Earth. Disneyland Paris is situated outside the city with the Eurostar station located right outside the Disney Village entrance. This was my third time going after previous visits in 2003 and 2016 but this one would prove to be the most successful in terms of rides (the 2016 trip saw several major ride closures) and also FINALLY meeting Snow White which if you know me or read this blog is a big deal. But that is all to come later. We arrived on Monday 4th November and departed Wednesday 6th November which was perfect because a) the park is barely busy and b) we got a chance to see both Halloween and Christmas decorations. Rather than go through the holiday day by day, I thought it would be good to talk about my experiences collectively. It’s hard to talk about one day without talking about another.

We stayed at the Sequoia Lodge Hotel which resembles a forest cabin with decoration inspired by Bambi. Our room was part of the Golden Forest section meaning that we had our own check-in desk and an exclusive lounge where we have breakfast. The room was beautiful as expected and sleeping in the bed was like being inside a giant marshmallow. We struggled to choose between the VIP Golden Forest room at the Sequoia Lodge or a standard room at the Newport Bay Club but what convinced us to go for Golden Forest was the easiness of not waiting for check-in or luggage transfers as we collected it and dropped it off at the counter. Also, being able to start the day in a peaceful and spacious room with no queues for food meant that we could go at our own pace and feel relaxed.

So where to begin? Well, perhaps I should start with the experience of the parks as a whole. As expected, walking into the main park on arrival was incredible as you are greeted by smiles and joyful music that runs through the park. Since we came at the short period between Halloween and Christmas, it did mean that the main square was closed so no lovely photos of the iconic Walt Disney and Mickey statue but that didn’t take away for the always breathtaking view of Main Street as it leads down to Sleeping Beauty’s Castle which acts as a centre point for the park and serves as a handy guide for where to go next. We visited the main park on all three days and Hollywood Studios on days 2 and 3 and the lack of queue times meant we were able to go on the rides more than once which was super handy. This was surprising since two of the biggest rides, The Rock’n’Roller Coaster and Crush’s Coaster in Hollywood Studios were closed for refurbishment. This did not affect the queues for other rides as the longest we waited was 20 minutes for Les Voyage de Pinocchio ride.

The best part about Disney parks is that there is no shortage of things to do. If you’re not fond of rides, you will still find enjoyment in the walkthrough attractions such as the dragon that lies beneath the castle. There is so much detail in the park and Easter eggs for the most obscure films (the Eurostar station has images from Return to Neverland above the luggage pickup kiosks) which is nice to see.

Luckily, my partner, Adam, and I absolutely LOVE rides so we went on as many as we could and because the park was at a low capacity, we were able to go on the rides multiple times. We went on:

Big Thunder Mountain x4

Phantom Manor x4

Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain x4

Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) x3

Peter Pan’s Flight x3

Pirates of the Carribbean x3

Ratatouille: The Adventure x3

The Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror x3

Le Pays des Contes de Fées (The Land of Fairy Tales) x2

Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast x1

It’s a Small World x1

Le Labyrinthe d’Alice (also known as Alice’s Curious Labyrinth) x1

RC Racer x1

Les Voyage de Pinocchio x1

That brings the total times we were on a ride to 34 which averages just over 11 rides a day. Overall, we walked around 60,000 steps over the course of the three days which is equivalent to approximately 25.92 miles. That’s just shy of the length of a marathon! Needless, to say our feet are hurting a lot from the walking but it was worth it and more.

My favourite ride in the parks is Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains of course. I love the older rides that take you through the stories. They are simple but also bring that sense of nostalgia back. Of course, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is my favourite film and this ride encapsulates all of the emotions that the film makes you feel. The animatronics and audio is fantastic and the set design is brilliant. I get chills every time the Evil Queen turns from the mirror and is revealed to be the Hag. I have been on this ride in previous visits so it was from far the first time I have been on it. One of my favourite memories from this holiday was when we were waiting in the Fast Pass queue for Peter Pan’s Flight (which was always ridiculously busy!) and we met a lovely cast member called Manon who also shares a love for Snow White. She kindly gifted us a special fast pass to go back on Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains and also gave us an autograph book and keyrings of our choice. It made our holiday even more magical and was a wonderful surprise!

My favourite ride that I have not been on was by far Ratatouille: The Adventure. I must admit, I am not a big fan of simulator rides, mainly due to a horrific experience on the Back to the Future ride in Universal Orlando as a child. However, I cannot recommend this ride enough. Ratatouille: The Adventure is exclusive to Disneyland Paris and is a bilingual treat as you sit in a rat car and are thrust into the hectic set of a Michelin kitchen. The use of props and elements like water splashes when a mop is swept towards you really immerse you as you follow Remy’s quest to create the perfect dish. If you have not been on this ride, you need to go on it next time you visit Disneyland Paris.

Another nostalgic treat for me was Le Pays des Contes de Fées, a slow voyage across some of Disney’s greatest story retellings from classics like The Little Mermaid and Aladdin to more obscure offerings such as Pierre et le Loup (Peter and the Wolf) and Oz La Cité d’Émeraude (released in English as Return to Oz) which was a lovely surprise to see at the end of the ride as it was one of my favourite films growing up. I think rides like this are not only enjoyed by everyone but also highlight why people love Disney.

This was my fourth time going to a Disney Park (I went to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando in 2001 and Disneyland Paris in 2003 and 2016) and on none of these occasions was I able to meet Snow White herself. I was disheartened when the City Hall assistant informed that she would only be making an appearance in the parade on day 2 and accepted that I would not be meeting her this time. However, an impulsive relax on a break would prove genius in the afternoon because low and behold there was Snow White on her way to host a meet and greet. I cannot even begin to explain how emotional this was for me. I have just turned 26 and this event had me feeling the most excited I have ever felt. It was my ultimate Disney dream come true and true enough, it was amazing. She took her time with everyone which was lovely to see and took as many pictures as you wanted. She loved my custom-made Snow White themed ears and even spoke Welsh which was amazing since Wales is often overlooked in Disney’s portrayal of Britain (It’s a Small World does not have a Welsh section sadly). She also promised to bake me a gooseberry pie which was great because who doesn’t love pie?

Leaving was horrible as expected. Even though we had done everything that we wanted to do, we still wanted to stay longer. We’ve already started planning our next Disney trip to either Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando or Disneyland in California and hopefully we won’t wait another four years before going on a big holiday.

Have you been to Disneyland Paris or any of the other Disney parks? Let me know about your experience in the comments below!

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Top 10 Tom Hanks Performances

It’s no secret that I am a huge Tom Hanks fan. He has been one of my favourite actors for as long as I can remember and there is a reason why he is so loved by everyone. An extremely talented actor and nice personality, Tom Hanks has built a reputation for being one of the most respected actors in history and it’s easy to see why. It was so difficult for me to pick a top 5 so I’ve gone ahead and done a top 10 instead. This list is only the tip of the iceberg for this man’s career and shows his range. We see him evolve from a kid adult to a prison officer working on Death Row to portraying Walt Disney himself.

Hanks is an actor who encapsulates his roles and is a constant draw for the box office. He’s worked with some of the best directors and actors around particularly Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Cast Away and The Polar Express) and Steven Spielberg (Saving Private Ryan, The Terminal, Catch Me If You Can and Bridge of Spies). There’s no performance that he has done that I don’t love. Admittedly, the Dan Brown films are one of my guilty pleasures even though they are absolutely ridiculous but Tom Hanks brings such an enthusiastic performance that I find them so much fun to watch, especially Angels and Demons.

Here are my top 10 in chronological order:

Big (1989)

Big is one of those films that I could watch time and time again and never get bored. Following Josh Baskin, a young boy who wishes to grow up and then does overnight. This film is made even better when he grows up into Tom Hanks. Hanks has so much fun as adult Josh in this role as he fills his apartment with everything a cool kid had in the 80s. He is the perfect mix of charming and hilarious. I mean, who doesn’t love the scene with the piano?

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

It wouldn’t be a true Tom Hanks list without featuring a classic Nora Ephron romcom with Hanks and costar Meg Ryan. My favourite of the bunch is Sleepless in Seattle which makes my heart melt every time I watch it. Hanks plays Sam, a grieving architect whose son calls into a radio show to tell their story. In true Ephron form this film is the true epitome of the romcom genre and is a delight to watch. The climactic scene on the observation deck of the Empire State building has me screaming at the TV every time.

Forrest Gump (1994)

Possibly the most famous Tom Hanks role, Forrest Gump sees Hanks play the iconic titular character who sees the world in a different way. Bringing Hanks the Best Leading Actor Oscar for the second year in a row after the previous year’s Philadelphia, Forrest Gump propelled Hanks into a global phonenom and landed him at the top of every director’s list. His performance is not condescending nor over the top as he places a heavy focus on Forrest’s naivity rather than his disabilities.

Toy Story Franchise (1995-present)

It would have been a crime not to include these but I couldn’t pick just one. Tom Hanks’ Voicework as Woody the toy cowboy is nothing short of extraordinary and really brings the toys to life. For over 20 years, Pixar have charmed us with the story about a group of toys who watch their owner grow up. Hanks’ performance is worked up and super stressed as Woody struggles to keep his control. He’s a brilliantly flawed character who constantly makes mistakes doing what he thinks is right. The fourth installment that was released this year was revolutionary for Woody as he finally embarks on a life that he wants.

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Hanks’ first collaboration with Spielberg is probably the most dramatic and to that point, “blockbustery” of his career. Playing Captain John H. Miller who leads a small group of soldiers to find and rescue the missing Private James Ryan (Matt Damon), Hanks made his mark as the big leading man in cinema. It’s the film that should have swept the Oscars but was beaten by Shakespeare in Love in a huge misjustice for the Best Picture gong (don’t get me started). What separates this film from other war films is that Hanks between the heart of the film and shows the emotion behind the fighting.

The Green Mile (1999)

The Green Mile is one of those films that brings me to tears every time I watch it. Following Hanks as head prison officer, Paul Edgecomb, working in the Death Row block. When a 6 foot black man, John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), is jailed on the block, mysterious events begin to happen that cause Paul to challenge his morals and his faith. It’s a brilliant film that I don’t think receives the praise that it deserves, mainly due to it being the second prison based Stephen King adaptation after The Shawshank Redemption in 1994. Hanks is fantastic as Edgecomb. He is sharp, observant and has a strong moral compass. The scenes with him and Duncan make for some heart wrenching cinema as the truth behind Coffey’s imprisonment come to light.

Cast Away (2000)

If I had to pick one Tom Hanks performance to put at the top of my list, this would be the one. It’s iconic, it’s fantastic and it should have earned Hanks his third Oscar. Hanks plays Fedex driver, Chuck Noland, who survives a plane crash and becomes stranded on a desert island for year. The premise is simple but the film is anything but. Hanks goes all out to deliver a career best performance that sees Chuck removing teeth with an ice-skate blade, catching fish with a spear and finding companionship with a volleyball called Wilson. What makes this film truly standout is Hanks’ ability to keep the audience’s attention by himself for the film’s 143 minutes.

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

This fun flick sees Hanks reunite with Steven Spielberg for the chase of a century as Hanks plays FBI agent, Carl Hanratty on the hunt for Frank Abagnale Jr (Leonardo DiCaprio), a young conman across the globe. It’s a brilliantly entertaining film to watch as Hanks fails time and time again to capture Abagnale. Hanks and DiCaprio are an odd pairing for leads but it works really well and you can tell that both are having a good time.

Captain Phillips (2013)

This gem of a film is a stellar thriller that showcases Hanks’ timelessness as an actor. Playing the titular character whose cargo ship is overrun by Somali pirates, Hanks works brilliant alongside Barkhad Abdi who plays Somali pirate, Abduwali Muse. Most of the cast in this film are fairly unknown and it’s nice to see that although Hanks is the lead, that others are given the chance to shine, particularly Abdi, who won a BAFTA for his performance. Hanks isn’t an actor who has to hog the spotlight every time he is onscreen.

Saving Mr Banks (2013)

Tom Hanks as Walt Disney. Do I even need to say more? It’s one icon playing another and it is perfect casting. I absolutely adore this film and am always watching it when it is on the TV. Following author P L Travers (Emma Thompson) as she is pursued relentlessly by Disney who wants to adapt her famous Mary Poppins books into a film, we see Travers enter a world she has no interest in. Hanks is truly magical as the big man himself and lights up the screen everytime he appears.

So there you have it! We have journeye through the highlights of this legend’s career. With a deserved life achievement Cecil B Demille award on its way from the 2020 Golden Globes, Hanks’ career is far from over. I am excited to see his upcoming films.

Which Tom Hanks performances are your favourites? Let me knows in the comments below!

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Toy Story 4 (2019)

I won’t give away too much of the specific plot away in my review but the basic storyline is new owner Bonnie creates a toy out of trash, Forky, who becomes her favourite toy but he longs to be back with the trash. When the family take a road trip, Forky jumps out the window to become trash meaning Woody has to go collect him and bring him back to Bonnie. The film is then set in a quaint little town that has a travelling carnival visiting and Pixar makes use of this inclusion with aplomb. Pixar studio always said that they would only go ahead with Toy Story 4 if the story was necessary. When they announced that the film was in production (and despite the high quality of each Toy Story film), I couldn’t help doubting whether a fourth installment really was necessary since the third one rounded the franchise off nicely. I am glad to say that there was no need to be in doubt at all. I think that the UK marketing team for Pixar did a brilliant job of not actually giving away too much of the plot which made the film all the more enjoyable to watch and also surprising.

It goes without saying that Tom Hanks and Tim Allen do a fantastic job in their iconic roles as Woody and Buzz, respectively but there are also a great array of new characters that are brought into the fold. My favourite character is the aforementioned Forky. Everything about this little guy is hilarious from how he looks to his physicality to the way he talks and socialises with other toys. He is a fantastic little addition to the Toy Story family and honestly it’s been hilarious seeing how many toys Disney have made of him for extortinate prices despite the fact that his character was literally made from items from a bin. Other characters introduced in this film include Bunny and Ducky, voiced by comedy duo Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key who are also great additions. They are adorable plush teddies who have been waiting three years to be won at the carnival fair. The last toy inclusion to mention is Duke Kaboom, a Canadian action figure voiced by Keanu Reeves. He is a hilarious and sensitive character who speaks passionately about his past owner, Rijon, who got rid of him. We also see the reintroduction of an old toy in this film. Bringing back Bo Peep who has been given a makeover into a strong heroine is a long cry away from her shy, lovestruck self in the first two Toy Story films and has been the cause of complaint to some but rest assured it is done fantastically and subtly to the point where it makes sense with her own storyline. It’s also great for Pixar to show the contextual progression where female characters don’t have to be passive love interests. Bo Peep does a lot of the rescuing in this film and it’s treated no differently to when male characters take action.

It’s easy to imagine that with the addition of so many characters that they don’t have their chance for character growth but the writers have done a great job with balancing this out. Forky and Bo Peep are given the most space for character growth since their stories are central to the plot whereas Ducky, Bunny and Duke are used as comic relief so only their backstories are given. Knowing the importance of the toys in the specific film means that the audience isn’t crammed with too many plotlines that they can’t keep up with. With their being so many new and different characters, it does mean that all of Bonnie’s toys (with the exception of Woody, Buzz and arguably Jessie) may as well have not been brought on the road trip. When Bonnie loses Forky, she doesn’t care that she has numerous other (non-trash made) toys in the RV. They’re just there in the background for the whole film. They didn’t even need to bring in a replacement for Mr. Potatohead as they recycled old lines said by Don Rickles in previous films. This isn’t a bad thing necessarily but it does mean that their importance has been faded out in this (supposedly) final installment. There were many scenes that I enjoyed in this film but if I had to pick one, I would say when Woody and Forky are having their heart to heart after Forky jumps out the RV. Woody tries to make Forky understand the importance of his role as a toy which means Forky has the realisation that he is “Bonnie’s trash”. It’s one of those heart-warming scenes injected with humour which have become synonymous with the Toy Story franchise. Also, any scene with Duke Kaboom in because he is absolutely hilarious and his backstory was heartbreaking to watch.

Another thing to talk about is how amazing the animation is, in particular Bo Peep. The shine and reflective effect of her porcelein is an incredible development from the first film. It makes her look eerie at times but more delicate as well (she is porcelein after all!). When you look back to how she appeared in the first film, the animation doesn’t compare. I’m not dissing the first film because it achieved so much at the time of its release in regards to animation, but celebrating the achievements made since then and seeing that transformation in the span of 24 years is incredible. Also the textures of the plushes and ventriloquist dummies that appear in this film are equally fantastic.

I think that Toy Story 4 was well worth the wait and seemed like the true ending for the franchise. I think it will go on to win the Best Animated Feature at the Oscars next year (to be honest, it’s rare that a Disney film doesn’t win this) and I think it will date well as a film. I think what makes it work so well is that even though it follows on from the trilogy and the franchise, there is a different feel to it altogether because they’re not Andy’s toys anymore. With a new owner comes new changes and this opened up a door for new storylines and motives.

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Pixar Features Ranking: Films 11-15

This period saw the complete acquisition of Pixar by Disney, giving complete control to the Disney board on what projects should go ahead at Disney. Whereas John Lasseter had stopped sequels and remakes previously, Disney did the opposite at Pixar and wanted to capitalise on the loved characters that Pixar had created. Although with Toy Story 2 they had found success, other franchises were not as lucky and the films were met with lukewarm reviews which was pretty unheard of at Pixar but has sadly become more of the norm now.

If you want to read the other Pixar reviews and ranking you can click the links below:

Films 1-5

Films 6-10

Now without further ado, let’s begin with the reviews and rankings for Pixar films 11-15:

11) Toy Story 3 (2010)

The third segment of Toy Story 3 was built with hype in the months leading up to its release and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Following the toys’ adventure in a daycare centre as Andy heads off to college, Woody, Buzz and co face off against the manipulative Lotso and his henchmen who oppress the “weaker” toys. It’s brilliant and sassy, bringing everything we love about the franchise into an even bigger film. My favourite inclusion is Ken and his dream-house with the scene in which he shows Barbie his vintage clothes collection is clearly so well researched with the materials and textures impeccable as always. The scene where Barbie threatens to rip his clothes has me on edge as we see her ripping each individual thread apart is just as horrific as the now-iconic incinerator scene. Although not quite as good as Toy Story 2 in my opinion (although this is no insult), Toy Story 3 won the franchise its first Best Animated Feature Oscar with ease. Bringing in new toys courtesy of the daycare centre as well as Bonnie’s (the daycare assistant’s daughter) collection which features a Totoro and personal favourite, Mr. Pricklepants, a dramatic hedgehog teddy who loves Shakespearean style acting. Passing the toys onto Bonnie at the end seemed like a fitting ending for the franchise so it is exciting to see how Toy Story 4 will fare and if it will live up to its hype.

12) Cars 2 (2011)

I didn’t go into this film with high hopes because I am not a fan of the franchise and I think that Cars has been the weakest offering in Pixar by a long-shot so I was definitely surprised when they announced a sequel. Pretty much more of the same but with added spies, Lightning McQueen finds himself a love interest in the form of Holley Shiftwell. It’s racing, it’s boring and to be honest Lightning McQueen isn’t an engaging enough character to be the protagonist. I am happy that there is more focus on Mater in this film but he spends most of his screen-time getting berated by McQueen who is so focused on his image and looking cool that it seems the messages he learned from the first film are completely forgotten because of his egotism. I hate to be biased about it but it just doesn’t interest me as a franchise and as much as I try to enjoy these films, I simply struggle to because of how ridiculous the whole concept is.

13) Brave (2012)

Now for a film I was really excited to see in the cinema on its release day. Featuring Pixar’s first princess, Merida, Brave looked to be full of spirit as the princess longs for freedom and to fight the tradition of marriage as is expected of her. In the course of her rebellion, she argues with her mum who is then turned into a bear. This film is an odd because aesthetically, it is stunning and captures Medieval Scotland beautifully but the screenplay is imbalanced and poorly paced. The beginning and ending to this film are brilliantly done but the middle portion just doesn’t seem to fit. It feels as though there was so much focus in establishing Merida’s character and how her character will end up rather than establishing her character and the mum’s character and then developing their relationship in the typical Pixar way, with detail and finesse. The middle portion seems poorly planned and forced, making the film drag and bringing an underwhelming feeling to the audience. The general consensus was the same among critics and audiences who responded with mixed reviews although the film did do well at the box office and subsequently won the Best Animated Feature Oscar although this was in (admittedly) an underwhelming year overall.

14) Monsters University (2013)

The first prequel offered by Pixar was a surprising choice. Monsters University, as implied, follows Mike and Sulley in university and shows how they met and how their friendship developed. It feels formulaic in development, the two dislike each other with Sulley the jock type and Mike as a nerd, the two find common ground before using their strengths to win the “Scare Games”. It’s not a terrible film by any means but it is very cliche and feels underwhelming for a Pixar film. Although it received positive reviews, it doesn’t hold a light against Monsters, Inc. because it’s clear that this is a film that Disney has ordered to be made rather than an organic creation. In Sulley and Mike’s fraternity, there are a collection of cliche characters. Although basic, my favourite is Art, the creative hyper artsy type who is bright purple and rolls around super fast and likes shiny things. I’m glad that they chose to create a film set in a different environment in the monster universe because this does make it far removed from the original and therefore the impact of Monsters, Inc. hasn’t be tainted.

15) Inside Out (2015)

After several underwhelming offerings, Pixar appeared to get back into their stride with this masterpiece. The question the creators asked: what if feelings had feelings? The result is a brilliant portrayal of the emotions living inside a teenage girl, Riley after her parents force the family to move to San Francisco from their cosy life in Michigan. As Riley struggles to fit in, her major emotions: Joy, Anger, Disgust, Panic and Sadness also struggle to adjust to the situation. This sees Sadness outcast by Joy and the others which causes an imbalance when Joy and Sadness are accidentally sucked from “headquarters” and into Riley’s mind. Although the plot may appear simple, a teenage girl struggles to fit in, the Emotions’ journey is actually a complex one as they learn that they need each other to thrive in the environment. Joy learns that Riley needs Sadness in order to feel those moments of joy and that this isn’t always a bad thing even if it doesn’t feel nice in the moment. Although the most dense of the Pixar films, it isn’t without its lighter moments which are provided by Anger, Disgust and Panic, who are struggling to run headquarters with Joy. I don’t think Inside Out could have been made 20 years ago as people find it hard to talk about real and complex feelings, especially in a children’s film but now there is a wider awareness on mental health and the importance of this in young children. It is a film that can engage that younger audience, even if they don’t understand everything and as they grow, they will learn to understand it. Also, the inclusion of childhood imaginary friend, Bing Bong shows the importance of the child imagination from a young age as he helps Joy and Sadness find their way back to headquarters. It’s a brilliant film that will have you roaring with laughter one moment and then sobbing the next, making it as emotionally complex and rewarding as the film itself.

This ranking was a little easier because there were a few under-performers in my opinion. I think that Pixar thrives when able to produce original content because Pixar have established themselves as the innovator rather than the follower so it’s a shame that Disney are forcing the same structure on the studio as itself by creating sequels and prequels.

Here is my ranking:

1) Up (2009)

2) WALL-E (2008)

3) Toy Story 2 (1999)

4) Inside Out (2015)

5) Ratatouille (2007)

6) Toy Story 3 (2010)

7) Monsters, Inc. (2001)

8) Finding Nemo (2003)

9) The Incredibles (2004)

10) Toy Story (1995)

11) A Bug’s Life (1998)

12) Brave (2012)

13) Monsters University (2013)

14) Cars (2006)

15) Cars 2 (2011)

The next post will look at the last bunch of offerings that includes even more sequels but also gives a couple of originals so let’s hope this batch fares a little better than this bunch.

What do you think of the ranking now? Is it a surprise? Let me know in the comments below!

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Pixar Features Ranking: Films 6-10

These five years of Pixar revolutionised film not just in terms of animation (which it did in spades) but for film as a whole with their limitless imagination, stellar scripts and characters that stay with you long after you leave the cinema. Pixar by this point had established themselves as a respected animation company that alongside Disney dominated the family market and with an Academy Award under their belt, it’s needless to say that this merely predicted further success. Utilising the creativity of directors such as Brad Bird and in-house artists such as Pete Docter and Andrew Stanton, this period of films cemented Pixar’s legacy firmly in film history.

You can read the ranking for the previous link here:

Films 1-5

As ever, let’s get on with the reviews and rankings for Pixar films 6-10:

6) The Incredibles (2004)

Before the superhero film became a monthly fixture in our movie calendars, Brad Bird teamed with Pixar to create a world where superheroes have been outcast but must come out to fight against a narcissistic billionaire who has been killing superheroes in a bid to become a saviour to the human race. The superheroes set out on saving the world are The Incredible family, consisting of dad, Bob (known as Mr Incredible), mum, Helen (known as Elastagirl), teenage daughter, Violet and son, Dash. The family use their unique abilities to save the world from Syndrome, the billionaire set on revenge against Mr. Incredible, whom he idolised as a child. It’s a brilliantly complex film that depicts an ordinary family in an extraordinary situation. The script is second to none, the score is sublime and the primary characters are all developed fantastically with likable secondary characters in the form of fellow superhero, Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson on top form) and the iconic superhero outfit designer, Edna Mode (voice by the film’s director, Brad Bird). I would say that this film surpasses most of the superhero films that are churned out month after month in recent years as it follows the formulaic route without becoming victim to it. Elastagirl is a brilliant female character who isn’t afraid to stick up to the patriarchy (even in the film’s opening when she says “leave all the fighting to the men? I don’t think so!”). It’s a film that is aware of society’s expectations but thwarts them by exploiting the flaws in society and using the heroes strengths to fix them.

7) Cars (2006)

Created from a love of cars by the heads of Pixar, Cars is a film set in a universe of anthropomorphic cars. It tells the story of Lightning McQueen, a sports car who longs to win at a rescheduled race after finishing in a three-way tie. On his way to training, he finds himself in a crash and stumbles upon Radiator Springs, a small town tucked away in the middle of nowhere. He befriends Mater, a battered tow truck and his experience among the small townspeople teaches Lightning lessons in humility and respect. This film has spawned two sequels as well as spin-off films and is popular among the younger audience particularly; however, I am not a huge fan of the Cars franchise. Even from the first viewing, I couldn’t wrap my head around the idea of anthropomorphic cars which sounds ridiculous in the world of Pixar because anything in animation is possible. Living toys, monsters and animals in general I am perfectly fine with, but I just can’t immerse myself in the Cars universe because it seems a little too ridiculous. I can’t help but think that the idea itself is rather forced and inorganic unlike the other films that Pixar had offered up to this point. Maybe this had to do with Disney’s increasing power in the company or the slump Disney studios where experiencing lately but it just seemed that the heads of Pixar sat down and said “we like cars… let’s make a film about it!” and didn’t think about the logistics of this. Monsters. Inc. is a film about monsters in their own universe and yet they have access to the human universe so there is an awareness of the “real world”. But since Cars doesn’t have any humans at all, it pushes the film into an absurd territory of the audience asking questions about the technicalities of the universe rather than enjoying the film.

8) Ratatouille (2007)

Brad Bird’s second offering for Pixar, Ratatouille, is the story of a rat with a big dream, to become a gourmet chef in a Michelin star restaurant. Remy lives on the outskirts of Paris, but when he finds himself in one of the most iconic Parisian restaurants, Gusteau’s, he begins to use his talents to help out the chef and prevent the restaurant from closure. Like any animation that incorporates food (check out Studio Ghibli’s offerings), Ratatouille’s concoctions look delectable and good enough to eat off the screen. As ever, the detail is on point and makes the film appear to be a sensory experience. Remy is an adorable protagonist who fights against the odds to achieve his dream despite what his family says or expects of him. His determination to teach Gusteau’s son, Alfredo, the ropes of cooking with hilarious results with Remy controlling Alfredo like a marionette by pulling his hair. Another brilliant character in this film is the lovable Emile, Remy’s brother and best friend. He’s a rat who loves to eat food without savouring the taste which repulses Remy, who urges Emile to appreciate the food. The film boasts a starry cast with Patton Oswalt voicing Remy and Peter O’Toole as Anton Ego, the pretentious food critic that Remy longs to impress. It won the studio it’s third Best Animated Feature Oscar and remains a Pixar favourite among fans.

9) WALL-E (2008)

Pixar’s 2008 feature is set in a world that has seen the mankind abuse the earth so much that it is now inhabitable. The film was directed by major Pixar figure, Andrew Stanton and tells the story of WALL-E, a friendly robot who sorts out the trash left and organises it into piles. His daily routine is constant as he is the only “living” thing with the exception of cockroaches. WALL-E collects trinkets that he finds and takes them back to his home where he watches old films on a box television. When a mysterious robot called EVE visits earth, WALL-E instantly in love with her and longs to be with her. Together, they embark on an adventure that sees them dancing among the stars in a stellar sequence that is mind-blowing and encountering what is left of the human race on a spaceship. On the surface, it’s a beautiful love story communicated through actions and shows how far someone would travel (literally) for the one they love. Under the surface, it is a story about mankind’s continued abuse on the planet we live on and how greed and corruption will eventually cause the world to ruin. It’s a film that was made over a decade ago but feels even more relevant now than ever in a time where the push for climate change has never been stronger.

10) Up (2009)

This film is too good for words. Pete Docter’s creation is beautifully animated as expected, filled with a spectrum of colour (courtesy of 20,000 animated balloons) and has, arguably, the most emotional opening to a film ever. Following pensioner, Carl as he flies his house to Paradise Falls (the place he longed to visit with late wife, Ellie), he is accompanied by boy scout, Russell, exotic bird, Kevin and talking dog, Doug in a big to find peace and fulfill the mission he has worked on for years. I couldn’t tell you the amount of times that I have watched this film but I can say that 100% of the times I have seen it have ended with me in tears with a box of tissues by my side. Featuring a brilliantly sinister performance from Christopher Plummer voicing Carl’s childhood idol, Charles Muntz, an explorer who was disgraced earlier in his career, Up is a film that swept the critics and audience away with its beauty and heart. As I mentioned before, it features the most emotional opening to a film ever and I think I should discuss this scene in detail. We follow Carl and Ellie’s relationship from marriage to Ellie’s death and the highs and lows in between as they struggle (and sadly fail) to save up for a trip to Paradise Falls. It is a sequence with no words, only music and this only heightens the opening. The jaunty score shows them renovating and decorating their home then slowly descends into a sad clarinet as they struggle to conceive and Ellie eventually ends up passing away. It’s a poignant story and a really powerful message to put in a children’s film, especially in the opening when it isn’t expected. I think this was revolutionary in Pixar storytelling because they are explicitly showing the love and eventual heartbreak and sadness that comes with being human.

Again, this ranking took me ages to decide because the films are of such a high calibre but I have made some (arguably controversial) decisions. I think the quality of films from this period was so strong (with the exception of Cars) that it was so hard to place them among the previous films.

Here is my ranking:

1) Up (2009)

2) WALL-E (2008)

3) Toy Story 2 (1999)

4) Ratatouille (2007)

5) Monsters, Inc. (2001)

6) Finding Nemo (2003)

7) The Incredibles (2004)
8) Toy Story (1995)

9) A Bug’s Life (1998)

10) Cars (2006)

The next post begins to delve into Disney’s takeover seeing Pixar create sequels and prequels galore as well as the first Pixar princess and more Oscar winners.

What do you think of the ranking so far? Let me know in the comments below what you’d place as number one!

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Pixar Features Ranking: Films 1-5

As with the Disney Animated Classics rankings that I am currently working on, I always thought it would be a nice idea to give myself another impossible challenge of ranking the amazing films from Disney Pixar. Founded in 1986 to pave the way for computer animation, Pixar has since become an icon in the world of film and has made its name in animation. After making a small collection of short films, includings the iconic Luxo Jr, director John Lasseter thought it would be a great idea to translate this new animation into a feature and thus Toy Story was created and a new phenomena was formed. Since then Pixar has been completely acquired by Disney and its global popularity is attributed to the quality writing, memorable characters and the stunning aesthetic.

It’s only natural then to task myself with the challenge of ranking their brilliant offerings. Of course this shouldn’t take as long as they have 20 features in their repertoire (excluding Toy Story 4 which is released later this month). I will discuss 5 films per blog and if I have seen it in time, I will also include Toy Story 4 in the ranking.

Here we go with Pixar films 1-5:

1) Toy Story (1995)

The film that revolutionised animation and sparked wonder for many generations, Toy Story really is a film like no other. The plot is fairly simple, what would happen if your toys could come to life. When Andy receives a Buzz Lightyear for his birthday, leader of toys Woody becomes threatened as he isn’t the favourite toy anymore. Aside from becoming the Pixar aesthetic, computer animation has proven to be the popular animation among audiences and therefore all major animation studios have tended to follow in Pixar’s footsteps. Even Disney Studio ceased production on hand-drawn animation after the release of 2011’s Winnie the Pooh. Although hugely expensive at the time of Toy Story’s release, computer animation has turned into the cheaper and less time-consuming of animation and tends to be the familiar style that audiences today expect. There are a lot of scenes in this film that standout so I’ll go through a couple. First there is the scene when the toys and the audience are introduced to Buzz as he stands on the bed with confidence. The toys are perplexed by this stranger but immediately take to him as he shows off his actions and moves (not to mention to important backstory of Star Command). It’s a scene that immediately reveals Woody’s jealousy and inability to really control the other toys, who he sees as lesser beings. The conflict between the two characters is immediate but communicated through body language and the toy’s abilities themselves. Comparing Woody’s old-school string pull on his back to Buzz’s abundance of buttons and wings shows no contest as Woody must face this new era in Andy’s life and the toys follow suit. Later on in the film when Woody and Buzz are kidnapped by Sid, a kid who likes to destroy his toys and lives across the street from Andy, Buzz realises that he just a toy and not a spaceman. When he says those famous words “to infinity and beyond…” and jumps to fly, falling down and landing at the foot of the stairs, Buzz is physically and emotionally broken. His realisation sends him into a breakdown (cue Mrs. Nesbitt) and the friendship develops between himself and Woody as they respect each other as equals. The film is simple in plot but the importance of this film cannot be understated for its contributions to animation (and rightly received an Honorary Oscar for this) and complexities within the plot allow the characters to truly develop and bring the characters to life from this perspective.

2) A Bug’s Life (1998)

If Pixar’s first offering was all about bringing life to inanimate objects then the second offering is all about bringing the Pixar DNA to nature. Following clumsy inventor, Flik, A Bug’s Life explores how one ant has the courage to face off an oppressive group of grasshoppers who threaten to destroy the ant colony if they don’t provide enough food. A Bug’s Life provides one of my favourite characters in the Pixar universe in the form of hilarious caterpillar, Heimlich (voiced by the late Joe Ranft). This German legend just wants to gain his wings and the payoff at the end of the film is golden. Although not as well-received as its predecessor, A Bug’s Life has its charm and is still a brilliant film. It also challenged Pixar to create different textures as the setting is in nature so they had to consider how the weather affects the environment and the insects themselves. The lead grasshopper, Hopper (voiced by Kevin Spacey) is cruel and relentless in his approach to ruling the colony, gas-lighting the ants into believing that they need the grasshopper’s protection when in fact, they outnumber the grasshoppers at least 100 to 1. The number of ants was an impressive feat to animate as well as the animators had never attempted to create so many characters onscreen at any one time before. This is only a small detail and only for a couple of seconds in a scene but it’s important to acknowledge these seemingly little challenges have helped make computer animation as flawless and progressive as it is today.

3) Toy Story 2 (1999)

Toy Story 2 is one of those rare sequels that, in my opinion, surpasses the original. Woody is stolen by a toy collector who plans to ship him off to a museum in Japan. Flipping the situation around so Woody becomes disillusioned with his own legacy as part of “Woody’s Roundup”, a television show in which he is the star, it is up to Buzz and co to save him and bring him back before Andy comes home from summer camp. This film introduces us to a variety of new iconic toys, particularly cowgirl Jessie and loyal steed Bullseye. Everything in this installment is sharper from the animation to the character development to the scores and songs (who doesn’t cry at “When She Loved Me”?). It’s my favourite of the Toy Story films so far and I don’t think Toy Story 4 will usurp it (not because it will be bad but because Toy Story 2 is genius in every way). What makes this film as brilliant as it is is Pixar’s ability to identify what worked well in the original and to elaborate on that so incorporating more branded toys as a way to create familiarity with the audience and creating a villain who is even more unsympathetic than the original. There are two antagonists in this film with the first being Al, owner of Al’s Toy Barn and mad toy collector who kidnaps Woody at the start of the film. He lives alone opposite his shop surrounded by his extensive Woody’s Roundup toy collection. The little we see of him shows that he doesn’t have any friends and he is rude and aggressive to everyone he meets. The idea that he is a collector should suggest passion which could have been a redeeming feature but he only plans to sell it showing that he only sees the toys as money rather than sentimental in the way that Andy does. The second villain is Stinky Pete, the Prospector who has been kept in his box in mint condition for years as the toys have waited for Woody. Voiced by Kelsey Grammer, Stinky Pete is kind and paternal on the surface but underneath he is mean and controlling, much like Al. I think it was smart to incorporate a toy villain as it is someone the characters can actually exchange conversation with and build that conflict fully.

4) Monsters, Inc. (2001)

The next step Pixar took was to create an entirely new universe altogether for this film about a world populated by monsters. Pete Docter’s feature length directorial debut, Monsters, Inc. follows Sulley (voiced by John Goodman), the best “scarer” at the titular place where children’s screams fuel the city’s energy supply and his assistant, Mike (Billy Crystal) as they encounter a toddler who has wandered into the monster world. This film allowed the animators to push the bar as far as they could and the result is a brilliantly original burst of colour. The writing is superb as expected from Pixar and casting Crystal was a great choice as it appeared that his quick wit and ability to spontaneously burst into song was perfect for the role of Mike. Another highlight in this film for me is the textures given to the monsters, in particular the fur. The detail is impeccable and the city looks just like a regular city to make the concept of this monster universe believable to the audience. It’s a film that elevated my imagination as a kid, especially the scene with all the doors as Mike and Sulley venture through different worlds. The scene with the abominable snowman is fantastic as it’s set in the snowy mountains but despite the lack of props on the screen, the detail in the snow and rocks is groundbreaking. It seems that at this point, Pixar are seeing how big they can go with their universe creation and the details and characters shown in Monsters, Inc. are created so impeccably that this easily could have turned into a franchise with numerous sequels and reboots rather than just one prequel, Monsters University which was released in 2013.

5) Finding Nemo (2003)

The fifth film in Pixar’s catalogue is a heart-warming tale of Marlin the clown-fish and his journey across the ocean to find his missing son, Nemo. Accompanied by the lovable and forgetful, Dory, they venture into the unknown encountering sharks, jellyfish and turtles to name a few in a bid to bring Nemo back home after he is captured by a scuba diver. With Andrew Stanton in the director’s chair, the film has one of the most heartbreaking opening scenes that always leaves me in tears. The first Pixar film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature (Monster’s, Inc. was the first film that could have won but it lost to Shrek), Finding Nemo is about the importance of family but equally the importance of freedom and allowing kids to have the space to explore. The big seller of this film is Dory, a John Dory with short-term memory loss and her unrelenting optimism as she helps Marlin search for Nemo which helps keep the film light for the younger audience but there are so many mature undertones to this film that makes it a thrill to watch as an adult. It isn’t afraid to show vulnerability and flaws in its protagonist and the script allows for real growth in both Marlin and Nemo as both realise the importance the other has in their life. On another level, the Pixar studio also raised the importance of preserving marine wildlife which although subtle in this film, is made all the more clearer in its sequel, Finding Dory. Directed by Andrew Stanton, Finding Nemo is a beautiful adventure under the sea that brings even more colour and imagination than the previous films made by the studio.

So that’s it for the first bunch of Pixar films. Now since Pixar’s catalogue is a lot shorter than the Disney Studio’s, this series will only consist of four posts but that doesn’t mean it won’t be hard to rank. I found it difficult with this post alone because Pixar have such a strong repertoire of films that show off just how far the imagination can be stretched; however, after (literally) hours of deciding, I have managed to rank them.

Here is my ranking:

1) Toy Story 2 (1999)

2) Monsters, Inc. (2001)

3) Finding Nemo (2003)

4) Toy Story (1995)

5) A Bug’s Life (1998)

My next post will look at what I believe to be the best offerings from Pixar as we delve into more Oscar winners and even the second animation ever to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture (even more of an achievement than Beauty and the Beast as there is now the Best Animated Feature category as well so it even exceeded that!).

In the meantime, what do you think of my ranking so far? What would you put as number one? Let me know in the comments below!