Pixar – Just Another Studio?

Pixar are responsible for bringing to life some of the greatest film characters of all time!

For years and years now Pixar have been one of the best studios in the movie business. Pixar have been turning out perfect films over and over again since their first feature length film back in 1995; that film of course was Toy Story. Since then Pixar have continued to make perfect films, some of my favourites including Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc, Wall-E and that’s not even mentioning Cars, Up, A Bug’s Life, Ratatouille or The Incredibles. It is plain to see that Pixar have a knack for creating real works of art with some of the best characters to ever grace the cinema screen. They have often been thought of, especially by me, as one of the best studios making films today because of their originality, their creativity and their lust to tell a story that hasn’t been told before on the big screen in a time where plenty of the biggest studios in Hollywood are relying on sequels, reboots, fairy tale adaptations and even origin stories for famous films. In other words, studios are getting desperate but Pixar always seemed like the bright spark within the industry but are they now turning in to just another studio?

Edwin E. Catmull – Co-founder and current President of Pixar Animations.

This week Pixar have announced plans to make a sequel to 2003 hit (and one of the best and most touching stories Pixar have ever told) Finding Nemo, to be directed by Andrew Stanton, the man behind the original film and Wall-E. This follows the news that there is development for a Toy Story 4 in the pipeline and of course next year a prequel to Monsters Inc called Monsters University will be released. There are also rumours that a sequel is in development for Pixar’s very own superpowered family The Incredibles. This follows the hugely successful Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3 and the film seen by many as the worst Pixar have ever made, Cars 2. Obviously, film fans everywhere will be rejoicing at the fact that plans to bring Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Mike, Sulley, Nemo, Marlin and Dory all back to the big screen because they are characters that were a huge part of so many people’s childhood and there will always be a sentimental connection towards those characters in the hearts of anyone who has ever watched these films. But are these proposed sequels bad news for Pixar and film fans in general?

The Toy Story franchise is a rare example of a trilogy where every film is of the highest quality, you can debate for days and days about which one is the best and why it is better than the other two but never will everyone agree. However, with Cars 2 it is the opinion of many that Pixar got it wrong; it didn’t really need a sequel and it wasn’t as good as the first one, it’s sort of a blotch on an otherwise stainless list of films in Pixar’s history. This means that if Pixar get it wrong with another sequel/prequel it could dampen feelings towards their much beloved characters.

Pixar’s feature length films have won a combined total of 11 Oscars and earned another 30 nominations!

Since 2003 Pixar have released a single film each year and it has done well commercially no matter what because Pixar is a name that will put bums on seats in cinemas, there remains no doubt about that. But with the news of the sequels it could signal one of two things: either Pixar is trying to follow suit of several other major film companies and milk the popularity of their characters for every last penny they can get out of them (something Disney are already managing to do with most of their character history) or rather more sadly, Pixar may just be running out of ideas. However, Pixar have said, although this was many years ago, that they would not consider making a sequel to one of their films if they couldn’t tell a story that was as good as the original, this suggests that a lot of hard work and thought will go into making these films but it will be a shame if this signals a slowing down in the creativity of Pixar because their characters have staying power like no others and everyone will be missing out if Pixar does indeed become ‘just another studio’.

Who Are Pixar’s Best Characters?

With Pixar’s new movie, Brave, debuting the companies first female protagonist I have decided to compile a list of Pixar’s top ten characters so far. Enjoy.

10. Mater

First Appearance: Cars (2006)

Voiced by: Larry the Cable Guy.

I’m not a big fan of Cars myself and haven’t seen the sequel yet and don’t really want to, but I found Mater to be a good character. He’s always there for Lightning McQueen and he becomes a very important and valuable friend.

 

9. Rex

First Appearance: Toy Story (1995)

Voiced by: Wallace Shawn.

Rex is the big green dinosaur; a rough exterior but he is a coward on the inside. He is a stalwart of the Toy Story trilogy and is a highlight in the films, providing some great comedic moments. He is very loyal to his group of friends and will be there when needed.

 

8. Luxo Jr.

First Appearance: Luxo Jr. (1986)

Luxo Jr. was Pixar’s first film after becoming an independent company and was made to show what the studio could do with animation. Luxo Jr. is the small lamp that appears before and after every Pixar feature length film. He has become the mascot of the studio and has to be considered one of their best characters because he started it all.

 

7. Mr Incredible

First Appearance: The Incredibles (2004)

Voiced by: Craig T. Nelson.

Mr Incredible yearns for the life of a superhero once their activity is outlawed and he makes a successful return to the business. He longs for glory over evil-doers but at the same time is a very caring father and husband to his equally powerful family.

6. Mike Wazowski

First Appearance: Monsters Inc. (2001)

Voiced by: Billy Crystal.

Mike is the one-eyed little green monster in Monsters Inc. and he is the manager of Sulley. Mike becomes something of a scene stealer rather than a sidekick in the film but it is his friendship with Sulley that really makes him a great character.

 

5. Marlin

First Appearance: Finding Nemo (2003)

Voiced by: Albert Brooks.

Marlin’s wife and all but one children are killed at the beginning of Finding Nemo, meaning that Marlin becomes very protective of his only son. After his son is taken by a scuba diver Marlin must face his fears and explore the big wide ocean in search for his son. He is a real hero and an inspirational character as he faces up to his fears.

 

4. Carl Fredricksen

First Appearance: Up (2009)

Voiced by: Ed Asner.

Up was recognised by the Academy with five Oscar nominations and at the heart of the film is Carl Fredricksen. He is a 78 year old widow who uses a lot of helium balloons to fly his house around. The audience really feels for Carl as he goes on his journey. It’s funny, incredibly sad, and exciting all at once.

 

3. Sulley

First Appearance: Monsters Inc. (2001)

Voiced by: John Goodman.

Sulley is the top scarer at work but it’s impossible to see why as we get to know him through Monsters Inc and we learn about his softer side. His relationship with Boo provides some of the cutest moments Pixar have ever created. He is a fantastic hero and is rightly placed in charge Monsters Inc. at the end of the film.

 

2. Wall-E

First Appearance: Wall-E (2008)

Voiced by: Ben Burtt.

Wall-E is the loveable robot of the past set in a future where he is outdated and no longer needed. He is lonely and unloved but goes on a fantastic journey where he falls for Eve and he teaches mankind to be human again. His story is one that audiences of all ages can enjoy and love.

 

1. Woody and Buzz Lightyear

First Appearance: Toy Story (1995)

Voiced by: Tom Hanks and Tim Allen.

You can’t have one without the other. Woody and Buzz Lightyear have been teaching children for almost twenty years what it means to be friends. The two had a rocky start to their relationship but quickly learnt that they needed each other. After going on several journeys together, they have both needed to be saved by the other and have built a bond stronger than anything else in the world. Woody and Buzz Lightyear are without a doubt Pixar’s most recognisable and loved characters and they will have to work incredibly hard if they are ever to create such brilliant characters again.