PIXAR MOVIES

My reviews


In last decades Pixar has become one of the biggest name in film industry. Under its belt there are 12 successful CGI-animated movies (all of them on the list of the fifty highest grossing animated films of all time), 26 Oscars, 7 Golden Globes and 3 Grammys (among so many awards).

Some may say that the key in Pixar's success was the hand of Steve Jobs and his vision, who in 1986 bought it from George Lucas (the company started in 1979 as a computer division of Lucasfilm with the name of Graphics Group).

Some others may atribute it to the partnership with Disney (co-partner in the first 3 movies and owner of the company since 2006).

I thinks the key is not other than quality picture and scripts (what made them appealing to kids and adults at the same time)... and that's what movies are about.

Before getting to the actual reviews some final reminders:

1) This post DOES NOT contain download links, just a review to guide your decisions about movies to watch.

2) This post MAY CONTAIN some spoilers




INFO

Original Title: Toy Story

Year: 1995

Duration: 77 minutes

MPAA's Rating: G

Director: John Lasseter

Writers: John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton,
          Joe Ranft, Joss Whedon, Joel Cohen,
          Alec Sokolow

Stars: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Don Rickles

Plot: A cowboy toy is profoundly threatened and jealous
          when a fancy spaceman toy supplants him as
          top toy in a boy's room.

- IMDb

MY REVIEW


The first one. The pioneer. The vision of the visionary animation company. I just rewatched it early this year when I was going to rent Toy Story 3 and I rented the first two to catch up (always do that when a sequel is coming). It got to me as the first time I saw it more than 15 years ago. It's simply a GOOD MOVIE, one of those that makes you feel warm and cozzy inside. What else can you expect out from a movie. Highly recommended.


MY RATING



TRAILER




OTHER REVIEWS (by 11.22.2011)

IMDb Critic Rating: 92/100 (131 critics)
IMDb User Rating: 8.2/10 (211,254 users)

RT Tomatometer: 100% (Certified Fresh)
RT Audience: 81% liked it
RT Critic Rating: 9/10 (76 critics)
RT User Rating: 3.7/5 (994,634 users)

Roger Ebert: 4/4




INFO

Original Title: A Bug's Life

Year: 1998

Duration: 95 minutes

MPAA's Rating: G

Directors: John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton

Writers: John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Joe Ranft,
          Don McEnery, Bob Shaw, Geefwee Boedoe,
          Jason Katz, Jorgen Klubien, Robert Lence,
          David Reynolds

Stars: Kevin Spacey, Dave Foley and Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Plot: A misfit ant, looking for "warriors" to save his
          colony from greedy grasshoppers, recruits a
          group of bugs that turn out to be an inept
          circus troupe.

- IMDb


MY REVIEW


Good movie for watching with your kids at home. Not as good as Toy Story but way better than a lot of lousy kiddies movies out there. Not much than that.


MY RATING



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OTHER REVIEWS (by 11.22.2011)

IMDb Critic Rating: 77/100 (141 critics)
IMDb User Rating: 7.2/10 (76,712 users)

RT Tomatometer: 91% (Certified Fresh)
RT Audience: 61% liked it
RT Critic Rating: 7.9/10 (82 critics)
RT User Rating: 3.3/5 (901,013 users)

Roger Ebert: 3.5/4




INFO

Original Title: Toy Story 2

Year: 1999

Duration: 92 minutes

MPAA's Rating: G

Directors: John Lasseter, Ash Brannon, Lee Unkrich

Writers: John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Ash Brannon,
          Andrew Stanton, Rita Hsiao, Doug Chamberlin,
          Chris Webb

Stars: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack

Plot: When Woody is stolen by a toy collector, Buzz
          and his friends vow to rescue him, but Woody
          finds the idea of immortality in a museum
          tempting.

- IMDb

MY REVIEW


Once again, Pixar is on the right track. The return of Woody, Buzz and all the gang is exquisite. Some drama in the middle, some mean toys (toy in singular actually) and a good script in the overall. Not as good as the first one I believe, but highly recommended also.


MY RATING



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OTHER REVIEWS (by 11.22.2011)

IMDb Critic Rating: 88/100 (164 critics)
IMDb User Rating: 8.0/10 (156,884 users)

RT Tomatometer: 100% (Certified Fresh)
RT Audience: 72% liked it
RT Critic Rating: 8.6/10 (146 critics)
RT User Rating: 3.4/5 (890,698 users)

Roger Ebert: 3.5/4




INFO

Original Title: Monsters, Inc.

Year: 2001

Duration: 92 minutes

MPAA's Rating: G

Directors: Pete Docter, David Silverman, Lee Unkrich

Writers: Pete Docter, Jill Culton, Jeff Pidgeon,
          Ralph Eggleston, Andrew Stanton, Daniel Gerson,
          Robert L. Baird, Rhett Reese, Jonathan Roberts

Stars: Billy Crystal, John Goodman and Mary Gibbs

Plot: Monsters generate their city's power by scaring
          children, but they are terribly afraid
          themselves of being contaminated by children,
          so when one enters Monstropolis, top scarer
          Sulley finds his world disrupted.

- IMDb

MY REVIEW


One of my personal all-time animation favorites. A breeze of fresh air in films for kids. With Shrek (that came out the same year) it helped to break the patern of heroes and villains (many movies after that failed to repeat the formula for trying too hard to mimic their steps). One of my guilty pleasures... if you didn't see it yet. Go and rent it NOW!!!


MY RATING



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OTHER REVIEWS (by 11.22.2011)

IMDb Critic Rating: 78/100 (181 critics)
IMDb User Rating: 8.0/10 (169,871 users)

RT Tomatometer: 95% (Certified Fresh)
RT Audience: 83% liked it
RT Critic Rating: 7.9/10 (167 critics)
RT User Rating: 3.8/5 (1,112,836 users)

Roger Ebert: 3/4




INFO

Original Title: Finding Nemo

Year: 2003

Duration: 100 minutes

MPAA's Rating: G

Directors: Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich

Writers: Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson, David Reynolds

Stars: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres and Alexander Gould

Plot: After his son is captured in the Great Barrier Reef
          and taken to Sydney, a timid clownfish sets out
          on a journey to bring him home.

- IMDb

MY REVIEW


There is something weird about Finding Nemo. When it just came out I saw it on the movie theater and I loved it. Now I don't as much as I used to. I don't know if it was the perfect CGI ocean or what, but I thought I was watching the best film ever made. Now revisiting the movie I think that the script is just okay (a little bland and naive sometimes), maybe a wonderful movie for your children. I repeat much better than a lot of crap out there today... for Pixar's standards, not the best one.


MY RATING



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OTHER REVIEWS (by 11.22.2011)

IMDb Critic Rating: 89/100 (197 critics)
IMDb User Rating: 8.1/10 (227,950 users)

RT Tomatometer: 98% (Certified Fresh)
RT Audience: 80% liked it
RT Critic Rating: 8.5/10 (199 critics)
RT User Rating: 3.8/5 (31,542,965 users)

Roger Ebert: 4/4




INFO

Original Title: The Incredibles

Year: 2004

Duration: 115 minutes

MPAA's Rating: PG

Director: Brad Bird

Writer: Brad Bird

Stars: Craig T. Nelson, Samuel L. Jackson and Holly Hunter

Plot: A family of undercover superheroes, while trying
          to live the quiet suburban life, are forced
          into action to save the world.

- IMDb

MY REVIEW


Another one that was just okay. Fun and entertaining but not memorable... at least for me. Good for spending an evening with your folks with silly laughs.


MY RATING



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OTHER REVIEWS (by 11.22.2011)

IMDb Critic Rating: 90/100 (257 critics)
IMDb User Rating: 8.0/10 (209,346 users)

RT Tomatometer: 97% (Certified Fresh)
RT Audience: 67% liked it
RT Critic Rating: 8.3/10 (229 critics)
RT User Rating: 3.4/5 (31,081,260 users)

Roger Ebert: 3.5/4




INFO

Original Title: Cars

Year: 2006

Duration: 117 minutes

MPAA's Rating: G

Directors: John Lasseter, Joe Ranft

Writers: John Lasseter, Joe Ranft, Jorgen Klubien,
          Brenda Chapman, Dan Fogelman, Kiel Murray,
          Phil Lorin, Robert L. Baird, Daniel Gerson,
          Bonnie Hunt, Don Lake, Steve Purcell, Dan Scanlon

Stars: Owen Wilson, Bonnie Hunt and Paul Newman

Plot: A hot-shot race-car named Lightning McQueen gets
          waylaid in Radiator Springs, where he finds
          the true meaning of friendship and family.

- IMDb

MY REVIEW


With Cars it happens the opposite than with Nemo. I didn't really like it at first, but now I find it really amusing. I certainly didn't like McQueen's attitude, but I love the rest of the cars... and especially my favorite tow truck ever.


MY RATING



TRAILER




OTHER REVIEWS (by 11.22.2011)

IMDb Critic Rating: 73/100 (230 critics)
IMDb User Rating: 7.4/10 (93,293 users)

RT Tomatometer: 74% (Certified Fresh)
RT Audience: 80% liked it
RT Critic Rating: 6.9/10 (193 critics)
RT User Rating: 3.7/5 (785,952 users)

Roger Ebert: 3/4




INFO

Original Title: Ratatouille

Year: 2007

Duration: 111 minutes

MPAA's Rating: G

Directors: Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava

Writers: Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava, Jim Capobianco,
          Emily Cook, Kathy Greenberg, Bob Peterson

Stars: Brad Garrett, Lou Romano and Patton Oswalt

Plot: Remy is a young rat in the French countryside
          who arrives in Paris, only to find out
          that his cooking idol is dead. When he
          makes an unusual alliance with a restaurant's
          new garbage boy, the culinary and personal
          adventures begin despite Remy's family's
          skepticism and the rat-hating world of humans.

- IMDb

MY REVIEW


I don't know if it's because I love cooking and food in general... but I LOVE this movie. The characters are lovable and the story creates a feel-good sensation at the end. One of the top Pixar productions. If you didn't see it... do it... if you did... do it again.


MY RATING



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OTHER REVIEWS (by 11.22.2011)

IMDb Critic Rating: 96/100 (284 critics)
IMDb User Rating: 8.1/10 (181,852 users)

RT Tomatometer: 96% (Certified Fresh)
RT Audience: 84% liked it
RT Critic Rating: 8.4/10 (217 critics)
RT User Rating: 3.9/5 (967,884 users)

Roger Ebert: 4/4




INFO

Original Title: WALL•E

Year: 2008

Duration: 98 minutes

MPAA's Rating: G

Director: Andrew Stanton

Writers: Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, Jim Reardon

Stars: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight and Jeff Garlin

Plot: In the distant future, a small waste collecting
          robot inadvertently embarks on a space
          journey that will ultimately decide the
          fate of mankind.

- IMDb

MY REVIEW


Good movie. The first part when it tells us about WALL•E story is superb, the spaceship part and the ending a little too cheesy for me. I know it tries to leave a moral, but it could be a tad more subtle for me.


MY RATING



TRAILER




OTHER REVIEWS (by 11.22.2011)

IMDb Critic Rating: 94/100 (377 critics)
IMDb User Rating: 8.5/10 (252,735 users)

RT Tomatometer: 96% (Certified Fresh)
RT Audience: 89% liked it
RT Critic Rating: 8.5/10 (231 critics)
RT User Rating: 4.2/5 (487,190 users)

Roger Ebert: 3.5/4




INFO

Original Title: Up

Year: 2009

Duration: 96 minutes

MPAA's Rating: PG

Directors: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson

Writers: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Thomas McCarthy    

Stars: Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai and John Ratzenberger

Plot: By tying thousands of balloon to his home,
          78-year-old Carl Fredricksen sets out
          to fulfill his lifelong dream to see
          the wilds of South America. Right after
          lifting off, however, he learns he isn't
          alone on his journey, since Russell,
          a wilderness explorer 70 years his junior,
          has inadvertently become a stowaway on
          the trip.

- IMDb

MY REVIEW


This one is just magic. Awesome story, great characters and entertainment and nostalgia in every second of it. The best Pixar movie in my opinion. Don't rent it, buy it!


MY RATING



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OTHER REVIEWS (by 11.22.2011)

IMDb Critic Rating: 88/100 (359 critics)
IMDb User Rating: 8.3/10 (184,929 users)

RT Tomatometer: 98% (Certified Fresh)
RT Audience: 86% liked it
RT Critic Rating: 8.6/10 (271 critics)
RT User Rating: 3.5/5 (1,018,696 users)

Roger Ebert: 4/4




INFO

Original Title: Toy Story 3

Year: 2010

Duration: 103 minutes

MPAA's Rating: G

Director: Lee Unkrich

Writers: John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton,
          Lee Unkrich, Michael Arndt

Stars: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack

Plot: The toys are mistakenly delivered to a day-care
          center instead of the attic right before
          Andy leaves for college, and it's up to Woody
          to convince the other toys that they weren't
          abandoned and to return home.

- IMDb

MY REVIEW


Not for nothing it was nominated to the Oscar for best picture. Back to the basics, to the essence of what Pixar is: quality scripts, quality picture... wonderful movies. Even for me, a little better than the first one. It takes us again to that magical place we enjoy when kids... when playing with our toys we conquered the world in our imaginary adventures. Don't hesitate to see it... you won't regret it.


MY RATING



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OTHER REVIEWS (by 11.22.2011)

IMDb Critic Rating: 92/100 (399 critics)
IMDb User Rating: 8.6/10 (169,207 users)

RT Tomatometer: 99% (Certified Fresh)
RT Audience: 91% liked it
RT Critic Rating: 8.8/10 (251 critics)
RT User Rating: 4.3/5 (286,431 users)

Roger Ebert: 3/4




INFO

Original Title: Cars 2

Year: 2011

Duration: 106 minutes

MPAA's Rating: G

Directors: John Lasseter, Brad Lewis

Writers: Ben Queen, John Lasseter,
          Brad Lewis, Dan Fogelman    

Stars: Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy and Michael Caine

Plot: Star race car Lightning McQueen and his pal Mater
          head overseas to compete in the World Grand
          Prix race. But the road to the championship
          becomes rocky as Mater gets caught up in an
          intriguing adventure of his own:
          international espionage.

- IMDb

MY REVIEW


I just watched last Saturday with my wife. Weirdly I liked it better than the first one... it's odd since it's the worst reviewed Pixar movie (on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes at least). But the reason why I liked it's just one: Mater (Larry the Cable Guy), the tow track steals the show. Just check it out and watch it for him.


MY RATING



TRAILER




OTHER REVIEWS (by 11.22.2011)

IMDb Critic Rating: 57/100 (246 critics)
IMDb User Rating: 6.5/10 (20,423 users)

RT Tomatometer: 38%
RT Audience: 57% liked it
RT Critic Rating: 5.5/10 (191 critics)
RT User Rating: 3.4/5 (77,352 users)

Roger Ebert: 3.5/4


OTHER REVIEWED MOVIES