Top Ten Pixar Films

To coincide with the release of Pixar’s CARS 2, THN has decided to pick its top 10 Pixar movies. Everyone has an opinion on their favourite Pixar film and after much deliberation we have decided ours. You can probably guess which film we decided was not worthy of a place in this illustrious list…

10. THE INCREDIBLES (2004)

Directed by Brad Bird this is the story about a group of superheroes trying to live a ‘normal’ life, (which is generally quite difficult when you and your kids have super powers). Mr Incredible (aka Bob Parr) and his wife Helen (Elastigirl) have been forced into superhero retirement along with their three children Dash, Violet and Jack-Jack. After years of struggling through life as a average person, Bob gets a chance to don the suit and become a superhero once again, and of course all the family want in on the action too as they attempt to beat evil villain Syndrome. THE INCREDIBLES is very enjoyable and for the first 45 minutes is hilarious, however it lacks the originality of all other Pixar films and is somewhat predictable. Saying that, Mr Incredible is a loveable guy and who can forget the wonderfully wacky Edna Mode?

Best Line: ‘No matter how many times you save the world, it always manages to get back in jeopardy again. Sometimes I just want it to stay saved! You know, for a little bit?’ (Mr Incredible)

Best Character: Edna Mode

Oscars: Two (Best Achievement in Sound Editing and Best Animated Feature)

9. TOY STORY 3 (2010)

Our favourite toys have been mistakenly sent to a horrific day care centre. The children are like monsters, ripping off limbs, pulling out hairs and biting anything they see. Woody must convince the toys that Andy still wants them, and they must break out of the day care centre. Directed by Lee Unkrich, TOY STORY 3 was a critical and commercial success and it brought tears to the eyes of grown men (including myself) and is 36th on IMDB’s Top 250 list (the highest ranking Pixar film). However, it is with regret that I list it so low, simply because I wanted to give the other Pixar films a chance and not fill all the top slots with TOY STORY films! Sorry to the TOY STORY gang, but we will be seeing a lot more of you as the list goes on!

Best Line: ‘No one appreciates clothes here, Barbie! No one.’ (Ken)

Best Character: Woody

Oscars: Two (Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song and Best Animated Feature)

8. RATATOUILLE (2007)

Compiling a Top 10 Pixar list is one of the most difficult things you can do in life (I mean I am sure there are others) but seriously, it is hard. Especially when you have to put an outstanding film like this so low down but Pixar do insist on making excellent films after all. RATATOUILLE is the story of Remy the rat who wants to be a top chef in Paris. We all know rats are vermin. However if I was to ever get a rat I’d want it to be just like Remy. Not only would he be an excellent pet, but he would cook and clean for you too!

Best Line: ‘I don’t want to constantly have to wash my paws. Did you ever think about how we walk on the same paws that we handle food with? You ever think about what we put on our mouths?’ (Remy) ‘All the time’ (Emile)

Best Character: Remy

Oscars: One (Best Animated Feature)

7. TOY STORY 2 (1999)

Directed by John Lasseter, Ash Brannon and Lee Unkrich TOY STORY 2 sees Woody stolen by toy enthusiast (sometimes referred to as a nerd) Al, from Al’s Toy Barn and it is down to the other toys to save him from being sold to a toy museum in Tokyo. I think Al wrongly has a bad reputation when ultimately he repaired Woody, but then what do I know? TOY STORY 2 is great for many reasons but mainly because of the introduction of new characters like Jessie, Bullseye, Stinky Pete and my personal favourite, Emperor Zurg. A truly fantastic film.

Best Line: ‘No Buzz, I am your father!’ (Emperor Zurg)

Best Character: Buzz Lightyear

Oscars: None

6. UP (2009)

UP focuses on the life of 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen who after losing his wife sets out to fulfil his life long dream of travelling the world and visiting South America like he always promised her. What is not to love about Carl? He is exactly how I want to be when I am his age (apart from having a square face). Much to his initial disgust, Carl manages to take an eight-year-old wilderness explorer called Russell with him (by accident) and along the way they adopt a talking dog named Dug who is right up there with the best cartoon dogs ever. UP is a lovely story directed by Pete Doctor and Bob Peterson and a word of warning, you will definitely need tissues for the first 10 minutes, emotional stuff!

Best Line: ‘Did that dog just say, “Hi there”?’ (Carl)

Best Character: Dug

Oscars: Two (Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song and Best Animated Feature)

5. A BUG’S LIFE (1998)

Pixar’s second feature film directed by John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton is a sweet story of an anti-hero named Flik who recruits a bunch of misfit insects to take on the evil grasshoppers who threaten to destroy the ant colony.  It is the classic good Vs evil storyline but with bugs and everybody loves bugs, right? Maybe not, but ants are an underrated species who need more acclaim, which the film delivers! It is not the size of the insect that matters, but how the insects work as a team that makes them so powerful! A BUG’S LIFE is full of surprises, wit and everything you expect from Pixar. Worthy of a top five spot: a masterpiece.

Best Line: ‘I’m over here! I’m the only stick with eyeballs! (Slim)

Best Character: Flik

Oscars: None

4. FINDING NEMO (2003)

The film that boosted every pet store that socked tropical fish, in particular clownfish. Not just a marketing tool for tropical fish, FINDING NEMO is a warm and endearing film about a father-son relationship. Every father (or mother) knows how difficult it is letting go of your child but no one struggles quite as much as Marlin and who can blame him? Having seen his wife and every child but Nemo killed by a barracuda he has every reason to be protective. His premonitions about his son are right when Nemo is stolen and he must travel across the ocean to save him. FINDING NEMO illustrates perfectly how animation can be visually stunning with all the beautiful colours of all the different species in the ocean. But it also has tremendous characters like Dory, Gill, Bruce, Crush and it has so many memorable scenes. The film has the right blend of emotion and humour combined with its stunning visuals it is Pixar at its finest.

Best Line: ‘Fish are friends, not food’.

Best Character: Dory

Oscars: One (Best Animated Feature)

3. WALL·E (2008)

It is not very often that I pay to go to the cinema once, let alone twice but WALL·E made me do that. The most fascinating thing about WALL·E is its remarkable ability to retain your attention despite there being little dialogue (at times, no dialogue), considering it is a ‘kids’ film anyway. It’s 39 minutes before there is any human dialogue and over 20 minutes before WALL·E first speaks to EVE. You can’t help falling in love with WALL·E and the message the film sends out about us lazy humans. Well done Andrew Stanton and Pixar. Following WALL·E in his life for 98 minutes was a pleasurable experience and one I’d happily do again.

Best Line: ‘Eeeee… va?’ (WALL·E)

Best Character: WALL·E

Oscars: One (Best Animated Feature)

2. TOY STORY (1995)

For a while it was at number one, but the first ever Pixar film just misses out on top spot. It has a special place in the heart of millions of people because we all fell in love with Woody, Buzz, Rex, Slinky, Mr. Potato Head and the Aliens. So many great moments and it is thanks to John Lasseter and Toy Story that we’ve had so many more special moments with Pixar. In the end we are thankful Buzz and Woody get along and that Sid and his dog Scud didn’t kill the beloved toys. A special film that will go down as one of the best animated films of all time.

Best Line: ‘I have been chosen! Farewell, my friends. I go on to a better place.’ (Alien)

Best Character: Woody

Oscars: One (Special Achievement Award: John Lasseter

1. MONSTERS, INC. (2001)

The day to day happenings of Monsters who require children’s screams to generate power in their city, but what would happen if a child was to enter Monstropolis? Absolute chaos it turns out. Several of the films in this list could have made the top spot and every person has a different choice, however MONSTERS, INC. has the perfect mix of everything good about animation for me. It combines everything you expect from a Pixar movie, and still then surprises you. The story is innovative, the animation is influential and Pixar get it absolutely spot on. In Mike and Sully they have two of the best Pixar characters ever created. It is flawless and filled with laughter, warmth and emotion.

Best Line: I think I have a plan here, using mainly spoons. We dig a tunnel under the city and release it into the wild. (Mike)

Best Character(s): Mike and Sully

Oscars: One (Best Music, Original Song)

CARS 2 is in cinemas now