This first edition of power rankings is as accessible as they come: Pixar movies. These films have entertained and inspired a whole generation to witness how exciting and beautiful a kid's movie can really be. Pixar's catalogue of movies is not strictly for kids though; with each year I get older I feel like the themes Pixar movies' present resonate more within me, and I laugh louder and more often with each subsequent movie released. I truly believe at some point in the future that this time period will be remembered fondly as a couple of decades where Pixar captured our hearts and imaginations, and allowed for anybody at any age to dream about the countless possibilities life has to offer. With Toy Story 3 currently in theaters, I have compiled my power ranking of the Pixar films. Feel free to submit your own rankings in the comments section, or in some other social network commenting area.
10. Cars
Cars is by far the worst Pixar movie, and that is actually a huge compliment. It's comparable to being the dumbest student at Harvard: you're still smarter than 99% of the population and will, in all likelihood, have a six-figure straight out of school. Same thing with Cars. It's better than all of the other animated kid's movies you see, except it's not as funny, and the story is not as compelling as the other Pixar gems we've come to love. John Lasseter, the one who started it all with Toy Story, directed Cars and one would expect a certain level of quality that comes with him in the director's chair. However, despite the initial disappointment, the movie is actually incredibly re-watchable and provides enough laughs and heart to give adults and kids an enjoyable time, even if it's not your favorite Pixar outing.
9. A Bug's Life
From this point forward, one could make a reasonable argument for an Pixar movie in the remaining nine spots. My ninth slot goes to Pixar's second movie, A Bug's Life. This tale of an ant trying to defend his own anthill while also trying to regain his honor is one of the most exciting Pixar movies made. The action is fast-paced and the villains, the ferocious grasshoppers, are terrifying. In addition, the supporting bugs that Flik recruits are absolutely hilarious, led by Denis Leary who voices a ladybug. Co-directed by Lasseter and newcomer Andrew Stanton (aka the man), A Bug's Life delivers plenty of action, laughs, and "aw cute" moments to provide for a rollicking good hour and a half.
8. The Incredibles
Some might accuse me of blasphemy for placing The Incredibles this far down the list. It's only for minor reasons, mainly the story premise being almost a carbon copy of the beloved Watchmen graphic novel. Pixar takes the story to new heights and that's why it makes the ranking. The director is Brad Bird, who is the closest thing Pixar has to an auteur, and who also has used his Pixar success to catapult himself to the next director in the Mission: Impossible
series (note: I do not consider this a step up). The Incredibles is certainly the most interesting looking Pixar film, with the animation design akin to a mix of the classic, gorgeous look of other Pixar flicks and the grittier look of Bird's previous movie The Iron Giant. Even with the Watchmen comparisons, The Incredibles stands on its own because of its strong narrative and interesting characters that are extremely relatable, despite the superpowers.
7. Monsters, Inc.
Monsters, Inc. is so funny that it is easy to miss the high concept tale Pixar constructed. The premise is an allegory for an energy crisis, where the city the monsters inhabit is powered by the screams of terrified children. Pete Docter's first directorial effort thankfully does not expound on this allegory further, but allows the kid part of the movie to flourish. John Goodman and Billy Crystal do a fantastic job voicing Sulley and Mike Wazowski, and the dynamic between the characters of Sulley and Boo, especially some heartbreaking scenes where Sulley believes he's lost Boo forever, really elevate this film to higher ground. Monsters, Inc. was one of the early examples of Pixar's uncanny ability to keep the audience on the edge of their seats, but also having them emotionally invested in the outcomes of each character's story line. Do not consider this a minor work of Pixar's, as I could see this cracking the top 5 of many lists.
6. Ratatouille
If I were compiling this list at a younger age, say seven or eight, I would probably put Ratatouille last on my list. Something about rats cooking and the lack of high-tempo scenes would not have sat well with my younger, squirrelly self. However, I took a better liking to it seeing it at the age of sixteen. I learned a good deal about food and cooking, and really enjoyed the theme of following your dreams. The make-or-break-it scene that left most audience members and above the age of sixteen in a state of admiration where notoriously bitter critic Anton Ego finally relinquishes his hatred and loves a food dish that has been cooked by, none other than, a rat. Many of us, myself included, tend to critique things in life rather harshly; possibly because we have become jaded as we've become older or because we feel the need to establish our intellectual superiority over everyone else. Ratatouille shows that there is an undeniable beauty in something - whether it be a song, a movie, or a meal - that transports us back to a simpler time, where life was pure and the pleasures in life could be enjoyed properly. For Anton Ego, the unlikely rodent-cooked meal provided an epiphany to change his bitter ways before it was too late, and simultaneously Ratatouille offers the same option to the audience.
5. Up
Up is a truly delightful movie. The film is steeped in a creative, if not quirky, premise that director Pete Docter crafts into a wondrous adventure across the globe. Carl Fredrickson and his young counterpart Russell set out with different agendas at the outset of the story, but by the end their paths are united in saving an endangered bird, and, in the process, save Carl's life as well. Mr. Fredrickson serves as a welcome notice to kids and adults alike to follow their ambitions no matter what their age. Even though I rank as the number five Pixar movie overall, it has far and away the best five minutes in any Pixar film ever (here's the link if you need reminding: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GroDErHIM_0). Not only is this the ultimate tearjerker, but also an accurate, albeit brief, portrayal how quickly life can go by and how our dreams can dissipate even quicker. Docter seems to remind the audience that the opportunities to in life are as plentiful as the balloons used to make Carl's house float, and that it is never too late to start your great adventure.
4. Toy Story 2
For the longest time, ever since I saw it in theater for the first in 1999 actually, I always considered Toy Story 2 my favorite over its predecessor, Toy Story. Part of preference for the sequel came from my dislike of any confrontation, and thusly I enjoyed Buzz and Woody as friends more than their enemy status in the first one. However, after watching the two recently, I gave Toy Story the slight edge. Toy STory 2 is no slouch, though. This time around Lasseter co-directs with Lee Unkrich, the future director of the third installment of the trilogy, and it runs the gamut from action to adventure to Pixar's trademark poignancy. The classic opening scene is fun and exhilarating, and as a young lad it was my great ambition to be in a video game as cool as a Buzz Lightyear one. Also, a Star Wars reference has never been as fun as the one that plays out at the end of Toy Story 2 between Buzz and the evil Emperor Zerg. The best scene appears when Lasseter and Randy Newman reassert their musical genius with a heartfelt song detailing the falling out between Jessie and her owner (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px0j1EHF8Y0&feature=related). Jessie's story, a foreshadowing of Toy Story 3, hangs over Woody's difficult decision to either stay with Andy or join his cowboy compatriots in a world famous museum. Luckily, Woody is reminded of how special he is to Woody and paves the way for a redemptive second chance for Jessie to be loved by a new owner, a lesson we can all live by.
3. Toy Story
Pixar's first feature film is arguably its best, and, admittedly, it is hard to top Toy Story. The revolutionary CG animation that has become the Pixar norm is incredible to look at and Randy Newman crafted one of the most iconic songs in the history of movies in "You've Got a Friend In Me". Beyond that, the movie is hilarious. I'm serious, go back and watch it and you'll find little nuggets of humor that you had no idea of back in your six-year-old days. The theme that elevates Toy Story above the average animated fare is its exposition on alienation and becoming second-rate. Toy Story handles this in a kid friendly manner, but it's heady material. Everyone has had a falling out with a best friend and girlfriend, and if that's not depressing enough, generally the replacement friend/girlfriend/boyfriend replaces you right in front of your own eyes. Woody experiences this first-hand, and the confusion he feels is a sensation we can all relate to. I attribute my preference for Toy Story 2 in my younger years to not wanting to relive this painful conflict - not in real life, and certainly not in a movie. But this is the essence of what makes Toy Story a classic - it addresses these issues head on and then gives a blueprint on how to solve such a crisis. In the end, Buzz and Woody form a friendship, and Andy appreciates them equally.
2. Finding Nemo
It is a firm belief of mine that one could watch Finding Nemo with no sound at all and still be mesmerized throughout the entire running time. The use of the vast spaces of ocean combined with the lush colors of the sea creatures creates a visual splendor that cannot be topped. Fortunately, director Andrew Stanton is much more intelligent than I, and included witty dialogue along with unusually likeable characters. On a sheer entertainment level, Finding Nemo succeeds by providing scares (horrifying intro), laughs (Crush the turtle and Dory), and genuine familial interaction (Marlin and Nemo). Stanton has a near perfect animated feature on his hands that wows the audience and doesn't beat them over the head with action and gags. Rather, Stanton ground the movie in up-tempo storytelling and character archetypes that are as fresh as the ocean world Nemo explores for us. Side note: check out this hilarious spoof poster parodying the gulf situation: http://www.slashfilm.com/2010/06/16/bp-inspired-finding-nemo-2-posters/.
1. WALL-E
Two things I know for certain in this life: the Beatles will always be the best band music has ever seen, and WALL-E will always elicit a child-like joy within me that defies any boundaries or limits. To say WALL-E is Pixar's most ambitious work yet is an understatement - it is essentially a robot love story masquerading as a silent film for the first twenty minutes. Again, the movie is perfectly directed by Andrew Stanton, and he does not disappoint in his third directorial effort for Pixar. WALL-E is a waste collecting robot that has spent years boxing up trash on the abandoned Earth. He meets another robot, EVE, who is on a top-secret mission and they soon fall in love. The movie tells a love story that is far more convincing than any other live-action film that year, which is a testament to the proven success of Pixar films, which are founded on reaching you through the heart instead of your external senses. At the very least, the movie is watchable due to its fantastic visuals and moving score by the great composer Thomas Newman. One of my favorite scenes in any movie ever is the dance through space between WALL-E and EVE set to the song "Define Dancing". I vividly recall viewing the enthralling scene in the theaters and thinking, "Wow, could anything be more beautiful?" At the moment I couldn't find an answer. The film went on to win multiple awards, including Oscars and Grammys, but this is irrelevant. WALL-E is a favorite movie of mine and many others, and proves once and for all that Pixar not only transcends its animated peers, but also movies and art on the whole, and I thank them infinitely.
Toy Story 3 was not included on this list based on the fact that I have seen these movies 3-4+ times and I have only seen Toy Story 3 once thus far. Suffice it to say that TS3 is by far the best movie of summer so far and is worth every penny. Who knows, it may be an impending lock in a future Pixar power ranking. Only time will tell.
