Alright, it’s time we talk about Pixar, because let’s be honest, there’s a lot to discuss.
Pixar has been in a rut over the last few years. Sure, there have been some notable releases, such as Inside Out 2 and its exploration of anxiety, but most of their original films haven’t performed as well or made a lasting impact on viewers. Elio’s box office has not been so great. Elemental only made some money after weeks of it spreading online. And their Disney releases on Disney+ have been either hit or miss.
With all of this happening, I decided to revisit what the world deems as some of the best Pixar movies. Most of these are from the 2000s, whether it’s the early 2000s or late 2000s, and one that I haven’t seen in a long time is Up. However, upon rewatching it, I have to admit… I’ve got some blunt thoughts about the film now. Let’s get into it.
Coco brought me closer to my culture than ever before, and I think Brave is severely underrated.
But it’s the original films from the 2000s that really shaped my childhood. I have hardcore memories of watching them with my family, enjoying them with friends – heck, even being called Boo because my parents swear that I looked exactly like the little girl from Monsters Inc. as a kid.
While Up was released at the tail end of that timeframe, it was still considered a fantastic film by all and was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. It’s hailed as a Pixar great. But I just… don’t see it anymore.
HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us, Disney+’s The Mandalorian, and even video games like God of War – there’s a reason it’s a successful trope. It works.
However, the story is enjoyable, but nothing particularly memorable. They embark on a crazy adventure in a house carried by balloons (which doesn’t make sense at all, but okay), and in the end, they’re reunited and all that.
It’s sweet…but Best Picture-worthy? I don’t think so.
my list of Pixar villains, upon further examination, he’s not as horrible as some of the others.
Like, don’t get me wrong – he is a piece of human garbage that deserved jail time for what he did to the wildlife and for imprisoning hundreds of thousands of dogs to work for him. He’s horrible and pretty close to what I would consider a sociopath in Pixar. Unfeeling in really every way.
But in reality, he’s the kind of character that hits hard when you watch the film, and then you… don’t really think about him years later. I still think about Ernesto de la Cruz from Coco. Lotso from Toy Story 3 holds a very special place in my heart. Even AUTO from Wall-E is a more compelling villain.
But Charles? He’s just sort of…eh.
The Incredibles, and Inside Out – some of the best films out there. However, I now think it’s more comparable to A Bug’s Life. It’s a good movie, and still a great Pixar film. But in comparison to some of the rich stories that other earlier Pixar movies have told? It’s just not that good.
Maybe I should consider it from a child’s perspective, but for now, I stand by my assessment. And I think you might lean in that direction, too, once you see how annoying Kevin (the bird) truly was, because good god, I can live without watching him again.