In appreciation of the wonderful Pixar brand, whose latest sucess, Wall-E, I reviewed in the post below this one, here are my rankings of all nine Pixar films.
Not a bad film by any means, but it lacks the certain something that makes all Pixar films special. It’s the one film in their canon that could have just as easily been made by Dreamworks or Universal.
Extremely clever, and featuring a dynamite comic performance by Billy Crystal. Lots of imagination went into the concept and execution of Monstropolis, and the relationship between Boo and Sully is sweet as can be.
This film was unfairly dismissed by many critics. Yes, it is essentially an animated remake of Doc Hollywood, but Owen Wilson, Bonnie Hunt and Paul Newman are irresistable as the central trio, and the supporting cast is spot-on. It also features some tremendous car race set pieces and a poignant interlude on the good old days set to a James Taylor tune.
See full review here. The beginning of this film had it aiming for top five territory, but the tone shift midway knocked it down a few notches.
Pixar’s biggest financial success took their visuals to new heights (or should I say depths?). The coral reef depicted here is vivid and alive in a way that was simply unheard of a few years earlier. Aside from the look of the film, it is a powerfully moving exploration of parenthood and the need to “let go” of your children. It also features one of the best supporting performances in any of these films, Ellen DeGeneres’ hilarious turn as Dory.
“The best sequel since Godfather 2,” as I recall reading in a review at the time. Toy Story 2 avoided the pitfalls of most sequels (especially sequels to family films) and instead expanded the marvelous universe of the first film in unexpected and delightful ways. It also contains perhaps the most moving sequence in Pixar history: cowgirl Jesse’s memory of her abandonment, set to Randy Newman’s gorgeous “When She Loved Me.” The only nitpick that drops this film to #4 is the artistically lazy choice to directly reference other pop culture touchstones (Jurassic Park, Star Wars). Those moments are expected in the Shrek films, but Pixar has always been above them.
Brad Bird’s mesmerizing ode to unlikely artists is itself a work of art. The most beautifully animated Pixar film to date, it’s also the first to appeal primarily to adults. Ratatouille is a talking-animal cartoon that packs a bigger emotional and intellectual wallop than 99% of its live-action counterparts. And it contains no fewer than four of the most spectacular sequences Pixar has yet delivered, including Remy’s glorious ascent from the sewers to the skyline of Paris, and critic Anton Ego’s discovery that “a great artist can come from anywhere.”
The one that started it all. In one fell swoop, Pixar proved that machines could be used to create animated films, but with the right people controlling the machines, those films could be more powerfully human than anything we’d seen before. From the ingenious concept of toys that come alive when their owner isn’t looking to the brilliant sarcastic wit those toys possess, Toy Story was hilarious and new but somehow felt immediately, perfectly right. It’s the cinematic equivalent of Buzz’s first flight around Andy’s room. I’ve found my moving buddy, indeed.
Brad Bird’s second entry in the top three, The Incredibles is simultaneously an ecstatic piece of pop art, an insightful exploration of family dynamics and the best superhero movie ever made. You can tell Bird puts as much thought into (and has as much fun) staging Bob Parr’s mind-numbing insurance job as Mr. Incredible’s showdown with a rampaging robot, just as the audience is as invested in the Parrs saving their marriage as we are in them saving the world. The film’s success on these multiple levels (and I haven’t even mentioned the extraordinary visuals or Michael Giacchino’s award-worthy score) elevate it to the top of this list. That and Holly Hunter, whose performance as Helen Parr (aka Elastigirl) is my favorite yet in a Pixar film.
Meet Me In Montauk 
Ditto
I would swap Cars for Ratatouille…but other than that…GREAT LIST!
Obviously, I was jesting with the ditto comment, but I’m not sure I take major issue with any of your choices. Pixar is that rare studio that has managed to produce only great films. Why one is ranked above another, whether by a slight or a larger preference, is a matter of personal taste.
There are things that I dislike is a couple of their films (the rats taking over the kitchen to cook in Ratatouille and the appearance of non-animated actors in Wall-E immediately spring to mind), but those “weaknesses” never overwhelm the strengths of those films. My top three would likely be The Incredibles, Toy Story and Finding Nemo in ascending order, so I guess my biggest difference with you is my higher ranking of Finding Nemo.
As I’ve said before, I think when you watch that film in a couple of years, after watching your growing children take bigger and further steps away from you, it might resonate with you even more than it does now. You compliment Ellen’s wonderful performance, but I think you underestimate Albert Brooks’. His anguish, fear, courage, desperation, excitement are all so palpable. His is one of my favorite Pixar performances of all time (along with Holly Hunter’s Helen and Tom Hanks’ Woody).
As for Wall-E, I feel unable to give it a fair ranking after a single viewing. After all, I have seen some of these films a dozen times or more. Still, your mid-pack placement feels right. I imagine it would likely wind up somewhere between 4-6 on my Pixar top 9, and my bottom three would likely resemble yours as well.
I definitely agree that Brooks gives a wonderful performance, and the animators do a great job making him so expressive, especially considering how little there is to work with on a fish.
I’ve heard the argument about identifying more with Marlin as the kids get older, and maybe I’ll be singing a different tune in a year (or maybe if Sophia had been seven when I saw it, as Maddie was, it would have hit me harder right off the bat).
I doubt it, though. While those gut reactions mean a lot, I’ve ultimately ranked the films the way I have primarily because of the craft behind them. And while Nemo is expertly crafted, it doesn’t quite measure up to the other four.
Besides, if I’d ranked The Incredibles fifth, couldn’t one argue that it’s because I haven’t faced a mid-life crisis?
“You heard my son. Swiiim Dowwwn!”
Pure poetry.
As for The Incredibles, you’ve always been a sucker for a great action sequence, whether it be in The Bourne Ultimatum, Bad Boys (I or II) or one of Pixar’s best films. So I doubt you’d need to identify with the Parr’s to appreciate The Incredibles.
That said, I regulary get from Dana, “You keep wanting to pick a fight, and I’m just happy you’re alive.” And Maddie and Daniel resemble Violet and Dash more and more. So I certainly think that identifying with a film alone won’t get it the top spot. For me, Nemo is artistically beautiful and structurally compelling (actually, in a similar way to The Incredibles, as two halves of the family embark on a mission to save the other and reunite). In no way do I mean to downplay the brilliance of The Incredibles. I simply love Finding Nemo more.
First of all, I’m no fan of either Bad Boys movie! Sure, I like a good action sequence, and The Incredibles has many, but that’s not why it’s at #1 on my list.
I’m with you… in no way do I mean to downplay the brilliance of Finding Nemo, I simply love several other Pixar films more.
Okay, I’ll weigh in with my picks:
9. A Bug’s Life -clearly the most forgettable of the Pixar offerings. In fact, in the year it came out, it was upstaged (though not by much) by the more humorous Antz.
8.Cars — I find it odd that Clay takes issue with TS II references to pop culture when those references abound in Cars. I suppose if you are a car lover or into Nascar, this film works far better–but it didn’t work much for me. The saving grace, of course, was the whole route 66 lost America theme–but as Rodriguez said, at the end of the day, there is only so much feeling you can get from or out of a car.
7. Monsters -Now this is where the choices get a bit harder. Yes, this film finds itself near the bottom of the pack, but, as my lovely wife said, the differences between the greatness of films is relatively small as we move on with the list–starting here. Monsters is very funny, and touching. It did feel a bit long at times, however–though, in fairness, I really need to see it again to pinpoint “weaknesses” with more accuracy.
6. Ratatouille — Obviously, this is a source of well traveled departure between Clay and I. Yes, the film was beautiful, but find me the Pixar film that isn’t. And yes, it had its cute/funny moments and some wonderful sequences, but, in the end, I simply did not find it funny enough or poignant enough to rank higher or overtake other better Pixar fare. Sure it ranked high with “critics” (and critic wannabes:)), but I can’t help but think that the very fact that the film lampooned critics made it fashionable for critics to applaud it, lest they be seen as not being good sports in the joke. The film also scores lower for not really appealing to kids, since, in virtually every other case (and particularly those films I have ranked higher than this one), the films resonate astonishingly well on two levels, not just one.
5. Wall-E. As Amy said, ranking this film after 1 viewing is probably unfair. However, unlike many other Pixar films, I do not have any immediate desire for repeat viewing on this one, and that fact alone may be hurting it at the moment. Now, having said that, this film was absolutely beautiful and fascinating and clever and humorous and riveting. And, perhaps ironically given the subject matter and lack of dialogue, managed to work better for kids than Rat, which is part of the reason it gets the nod over Rat here.
(top four to come)
Our lists are actually pretty similar… the same bottom three, and four of the same top five.
I definitely agree that Cars had too many pop culture moments, which is one of the reasons it’s near the bottom of the pack. That minor quibble about Toy Story 2 was the reason it came in fourth and not second or third on my list — it certainly isn’t something that keeps it from being one of my favorite films of the past 10-20 years, an honor I’d bestow on my four top Pixar films.
Okay, this is very strange….for some reason, every time I type in Toy Story II, my comment gets sent…Let’s try again.
4. Toy Story II. Whew! That worked. Okay, so why is this gem ranked 4th? Because, for the most part, there are better gems ahead. Still, this one is great. Maybe I am knocking it down a few because it is a sequel (though, again, one of the best ones!). Obviously, it has to take some knock for the fact that it is not in and of itself a wholly original concept after the first one.
3. The Incredibles. I will admit that repeat viewing has only heightened my appreciation for this one. I still think the action sequences are a bit too long (especially since, unlike Clay, I am not a big action guy), but what is right with the Incredibles far outweighs what is wrong with Incredibles. Great characters, very funny, verry poignant, and beautiful. Works for kids, adults. A great film.
2. Toy Story. You have to give huge props for the film that started it all. Creative beyond measure…funny as hell…touching….hits on every level A truly special classic.
1. Finding Nemo. That’s right–Incredi-boy! I said FINDING NEMO. And I’ll be happy to watch it with Clay on the day Sophia goes for her first overnight camping trip 🙂 This film in number one for so many reasons. Let’s start with the leads, voiced by Brooks and Ellen–so funny, so good. Oh, but then we have the bonus voices of the shark and all the tank characters. Then let’s talk about the look of the film–outrageously beautiful. It may be the first Pixar flick to ramp up the beauty factor–and, while Wall-E gives it a good run, it still must follow in Nemo’s shadow. And where Incredibles lulls a bit with the long action sequences, the “action” in the water is spot on and just long enough. And where Rat doesn’t work as well for kids, Nemo does. And where Cars is really for the fan of car racing and drops pop references, Nemo doesn’t and it’s themes are far more universal. And where Cars and Bug’s Life really fail to convey the full humanity of the characters due to the limitations of form, Nemo concquers–making you care more about tiny fish than you ever thought you could. So, for the movie that hits on all…gills?…. I give it my top spot.
Nice list. Two of our top four are identical, with our only real “disagreement” coming in the rankings of Nemo and Ratatouille. But those are only matters of degree. As always, we sure know how to argue passionately over the equivalent of a B-plus vs. an A-minus!
I don’t agree with you that appeal to children should be a point in a film’s favor, even a Pixar film. Should we dock There Will Be Blood because it doesn’t play well to the little ones? I know we’re talking about animation, and movies for which they will inevitably sell plush toys, but I applaud the fact that Pixar has stretched the boundaries of popular animation and not crafted films aimed at the lowest common denominator.
Also, I can’t wait to get my stuffed Daniel Plainview doll with the pull-string that makes him say “I’ve abandoned my boy!”
Are you suggesting kids are the lowest common denominator? For shame! I think a Pixar film loses points when kids don’t get it because, unlike There Will Be Blood, the film is clearly marketed to kids. It’s not as if Pixar came out and said, “This one is for the adults, but it is “appropriate” for kids.” I’m sure Pixar and Disney assumed the film would work on both levels, but it really didn’t. In fact, frankly, the most “kids” parts of the film (the more slap sticky stuff) worked least for me as an adult, and didn’t seem to make it work for kids either–so that’s why it gets ratcheted down on my list.
I don’t think Dana’s point is that the film is better for reaching children; rather, it earns his respect for being able to do both (reach children AND adults) simultaneously. Let’s face it – we’ve all sat through films that failed to move us on a cinematic level for the sake of our children. We certainly wouldn’t expect our children to “sit through” a film that fails to move them for the sake of their parents. Now I don’t think any Pixar film is guilty of such a sin (and it would be a sort of sin, as the films are pushed on our children every time they put on the Disney channel or walk into the Disney store), but there are certainly some that more effectively pull off the balancing act. In my estimation, The Incredibles and Toy Story do it best, managing to have “jokes” that slay the parents while never losing sight of Disney’s first audience. Finding Nemo does it by virtue of its gorgeous setting; what kid doesn’t love going to an aquarium? And what kid doesn’t wonder/worry what would happen if he wandered off too far from his parents? On those levels, it certainly gets them. Monsters, Inc. would probably rank high up there as well. I would imagine Ratatouille and Wall-E would be the least obviously appealing to children, based on their subject matter alone. Of course, Pixar’s spectacular vision in bringing these stories to the screen enables any audience member to appreciate them.
“Lowest common denominator” was probably the wrong phrase.
I don’t see why the marketing of a film should have any bearing on how you rank it. How many times do you see a drama with subtle humor marketed as a screwball comedy to pull in a bigger audience? Should you rank it lower because it didn’t deliver big laughs?
If Ratatouille had been marketed as “the new Pixar film, made for adults” would that have resulted in you liking it more? I doubt it.
I also question your assertion that the film doesn’t work for kids. It made more than $200 million, suggesting repeat viewings, and I don’t think the theaters were packed with only lit majors and chefs.
It’s not just about the marketing. It’s about the intent of the film maker to succeed in what he set out to do. Here, Pixar intended the film to appeal to both and, in my view, did not wholly succeed. So, that is why it ranks a bit lower. And, again, the fact that the parts aimed to the kids (like the granny shoot-em-up scene)really didn’t work for me on the adult level gives it yet another knock. Now, having said all that–the film was undoubtedly beautiful and had its cute/funny moments.
I don’t think you can go by the money it made it theaters. Parents have to be willing to take their kids, and there are far fewer offerings for children in the theaters at any given moment. The real test: How many times does the dvd wind up in the player at home? When I asked Maddie if we owned the film, she hesitated. She didn’t know because I think they’ve (we’ve) watched it once. The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, and the Toy Story films, on the other hand, have been viewed again and again. Those are the movies they reach for on “family movie night” or to take on a vacation. And it has nothing to do with how it’s marketed. I think Dana is exactly right; if the sequences that work best for kids work least for adults (such as the slapstick in the kitchen), then the movie is not as successful as a film where a sequence is reaching both children and adults (such as Helen and the kids reaching the beach in The Incredibles or Woody feeling abandoned by Andy in Toy Story) at the same time and in equally powerful ways.
Also, while there may be no way to prove this, I would venture to say that lots of kids went to see this film the first time (thus the first 100 mill), but the repeat viewers were probably adults and perhaps younger kids (below 10) who probably liked granny shoot em ups.
Well, obviously anecdotal evidence is basically useless on either side, but Sophia has watched Ratatouille at least as often as Finding Nemo, though not as often as The Incredibles or Toy Story. And Ratatouille‘s DVD sales were as strong as its theatrical numbers.
But I shouldn’t even argue that point, because I completely agree that Ratatouille is probably the least kid-friendly Pixar has made (maybe Wall-E takes the crown now). I just don’t see that as a negative. I find very few scenes in all of Pixar-dom that compare with all of the Anton Ego stuff in Ratatouille, and none of that stuff works (in theory) for kids. So what? It works.
And I think you’re going a bit far in alluding to the film’s “slapstick” scenes… the granny with the gun lasts all of 2 minutes and is no more “slapstick” than the shark chase or jellyfish-bouncing scenes in Nemo.
So how many times has Sophia actually asked to see the movie vs. daddy saying, “okay, honey, do you want Bug’s Life or Ratatouille?”
As for the kids/adults issue–let me put it this way: I agree that, as an adult, I shouldn’t necessarily care if the film doesn’t work for a child.” But my problem is that the film tried to inject scenes that would work for children and those scenes didn’t work for me as an adult. The granny get your gun scene, even at 2 minutes, was excrutiatingly ill-conceived. It wasn’t just slap-sticky, it made no sense for anyone to blow up a house to get a rat. It also was completely politically incorrect, introducing a gun so prominantly into a “kid’s” movie, which I could have forgiven had the use of the gun in the scene been a necessary or even entertaining thing, but it was neither. And, by the way, the granny scene wasn’t the only slapsticky scene that didn’t work for me, just the most absurd one.
As for the Nemo scenes, I don’t find either one to be slapstick. The shark chase was an “action” scene and, unlike Gunning Granny, made sense (i.e little cute fish are afraid of sharks). I am not saying this was one of my favorite scenes. It wasn’t, partly becuase it just went on too long as most chase scenes do. As for the jelly bouncing scene, that also was not slap stick and, more importantly, that scene was BRILLIANT. It was artistic, beautiful, clever–a standout scene in the movie.
The two cents of the children–
Maddie’s list:
9. A Bug’s Life
8. Cars
7. Wall-E
6. Ratatouille
5. Monsters, Inc.
4. Toy Story 2
3. Finding Nemo
2. Toy Story
1. The Incredibles
Daniel’s list:
9. Ratatouille
8. A Bug’s Life
7. Monsters, Inc.
6. Finding Nemo
5. Toy Story 2
4. Toy Story
3. Cars
2. The Incredibles
1. Wall-E
At least I think I have Daniel’s mostly right; I know he was passionate about Ratouille being last and Wall-E being first. Maddie was very meticulous in her placement and very defensive of what she views as an unfair dismissal of Monsters, Inc., which in her estimation is one of the top-tier Pixar films.
Give Sophia some credit! I never pressure her to watch anything. When we do try (as with Enchanted in recent weeks) she invariably digs her heels in and refuses.
I’m not going to spend hours defending the granny scene in Ratatouille… it’s certainly not a highlight of the film. Political correctness be damned, Brad Bird’s films don’t shy away from violence. I mean, can you name another animated film where a child indirectly kills somebody? Dash does, several times, in The Incredibles. We’ve gotten so used to the winking shot of a bad guy who somehow survived a big crash that the henchman deaths in that film really make an impact.
Which other slapstick scenes are you referring to in Ratatouille? There is some goofy physical humor when Remy first learns to control Linguini, plus an absolutely inspired chase scene. Apart from that, I can’t think of anything.
And I wasn’t dissing the chase and jellyfish scenes in Nemo… I like them. Just pointing out that all of these films have those elements.
It’s very easy to try to pick the films apart and amplify anything we can grasp at as a “weakness” to defend our relative rankings. It’s like bashing away at E.T. to explain why I have it three spots below Raiders of the Lost Ark. The alien wouldn’t deserve that, and neither do the rat or the fish!
So I was telling the family about this thread and Sophia says “Can I make my own list?” Be still my heart!
So here it is… the second draft of Sophia’s Pixar list, which differs markedly from the first draft she wrote immediately before this one, so don’t assume any of this will still hold five minutes from now (except #9, which was the same on both lists):
1. Monsters Inc.
2. Cars
3. Toy Story 2
4. Toy Story
5. The Incredibles
6. A Bug’s Life
7. Finding Nemo
8. Wall-E
9. Ratatouille
As for Alex, she hasn’t made her full list yet, but she said The Incredibles is definitely #1 and A Bug’s Life and Ratatouille are #8 and #9.
Rubes, all of you!
Wow–betrayed by your own family! And just think of the therapy sessions Sophia will have some day….
“I hated that Rat movie, but felt that I would displease father if I did not consistently ask for it over other movies I would have much rather seen. And I really believe that, had I not been so repeatedly exposed to the god awful granny gun scene, I probably would have never become a Republican and joined the NRA. Curses, father, curses.”
🙂
Maddie will be thrilled with Sophia’s placement of Monsters, Inc. In fact, Sophia’s list is the one I would most expect from a kid. I think Monsters, Inc. and the Toy Story films absolutely captivate the imagination. And Cars probably gets the boost from the soundtrack 🙂 Let’s face it; the girls loves to belt “Life is a Highway.”
Okay, I have never officially made a list of my own. I’ve managed to discuss and debate without pinning myself down (clever girl) –
Basically, I’m enjoying grouping the films in tiers, which works well while there are nine of them. Perhaps it’s a side effect of watching American Idol 🙂
Bottom:
A Bug’s Life
Cars
Monsters, Inc.
Middle of the pack:
Wall-E
Ratatouille
Top:
Toy Story (1 and 2)
The Incredibles
Finding Nemo
Basically, the top films will all earn recording contracts, so it’s all good.
A side note: When thinking of Brad Bird and his propensity for violence in kid’s fare — Iron Giant, anyone?!
You are not a gun!
By the way, as I said in an earlier post, I think the middle of the pack films (for me, Ratatouille and Wall-E) may ultimately be at the top. It’s just too soon to know.
I also think that there is movement within the tier. While I adore Finding Nemo, the moment I think about a Bruce scene, Toy Story rockets to the top of the list. And The Incredibles is profound in ways that continue to resonate. Any one of those films (including Toy Story 2) could top my list on a given day.
Way to go Sophia! I loved Monsters Inc and Toy Story because of the uniqueness of the idea that inspired them. Original pixar ideas! Other than the shoot down house over one tiny rat, and the fact that a little old lady would have a giant gun at all, Ratatuille was an amazing movie. It may not be THE most kid friendly, but kids could appreciate it! That goes for Wall.E as well. Even the most adult Pixar movies are very kid friendly. they are owned by DISNEY for crying out loud. My top 4 are so close for me (3. Finding Nemo 2. Toy Story 1. The Incredibles), in fact all of them are so close for me. Pixar has not made even a kina bad movie yet. To say that any of them are less then superier (with the exception of Bugs Life, sorry Sophia ^_^) would be a false statement in my book.
I find it funny that we all accept a rat who can talk and cook, but some don’t buy an old woman brandishing a firearm!