As a company, Pixar has single-handedly changed the animated film industry. They continue to develop films that consistently exceed expectations, blurring the lines between animated films and professional filmmaking.
Every viewer has their favorite film for one reason or another, only supporting the fame that Pixar has attained over the years. Funny, gripping, emotional, complex, simple, and breathtaking only begins to define the magic of a Pixar film. Simple enough to enjoy, but complex enough to hold you tightly.
It’s almost like an out of body experience, taking the viewer out of the real world and into one of pure fantasy, embarking on a journey that defines the best animation has to offer.
With such an amazing track record, many fans have attempted to determine the greatest Pixar film. What must be understood is the fact that such choices are purely subjective, with a variety of factors (nostalgia, experience, emotions) changing the ways in which films are experienced.
What we’ve done here is compiled a list of the best of the best, the Pixar films that represent the glory of a company that stands above the rest of the industy.
So, if you’re looking to start your Pixar journey, or seek to recapture the magic of the films, here are four of my favorite Pixar films!
1.) Wall — E
In Wall-E, director Andrew Stanton describes and exemplifies the strengths of Pixar on full blast.
Not only does Wall-E represent animation at its finest, but truly redefines animation as an artform over popular entertainment. The beginning of the picture is essentailly the equivalent of the silent film, blending dystopian imgery with the childlike wonder that Pixar is known for.
Think Blade Runner with an unbeatable charm, developing an abandoned world into one of emotion, heart, and genuine joy.
Unlike most of Pixar’s library, this movie replaces heart wrenching sadness with genuine beauty, pushing animation technology to its limits as the director explore’s the final frontier, space.
Even though characters rarely speak in full sentences (aside from the humans), character development is supported by body language and relationships, delivering on the expectations many Pixar fans have in terms of unique and interesting characters.
With Wall-E, Pixar pushes the boundaries of animation, delivering a film that captures the wonder of space while staying down-to-Earth with lovable characters and a politically poignant plot.
In terms of animated films, this is one of the finest.
2.) Monsters Inc.
Where Wall-E used impressive visuals to define itself, Monsters Inc. decides to focus on character development, showcasing some of the most personable, relateable, and interesting characters in an animated film.
Set in the monster equivalent of a 9–5 factory job, Monsters Inc. explores a world not too different from our own, where Monsters live as humans do.
Taking the “monster in the closet” fable to a whole new level, the monsters in Monstropolis work to collect scream power, gained from the act of frightening young children.
We soon learn that, just like the children, the monsters are afraid of what lurks behind the closet door. Monsters Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan encounter a human in the monster world, and are forced to find this child a safe way home.
Every character is unique both in design and personality, crafting a detailed world within the very first scene. The simplicity of the setting allows the audience to connect rather quickly, immediately setting up one of the grandest adventures in animation.
3.) UP
During a time when many believed that Pixar could not fail, they managed to pull off one of the greatest stunts in the animated business.
Create a movie that could only be done with animation, but with the heart of an Oscar winning film.
Following the old Carl Fredrickson and young Russell on an intercontinental journey, characters not only explore the world, but also themselves.
Which, is a cliche idea in theory. What UP does differently however is the attention paid to each character, with the fim focusing on the emotions and complexities of the cast as the going gets tougher. Characters are pushed to their limits, changing the way they look at life.
UP manages to explore both the complexities of aging and the happiness of youth to develop a story based in fantasy, but aims to critiuque people in everyday society.
Adventure is out there, you just have to find it.
4.) Coco
After a flow of sequels, Pixar was on a low. Many, including myself, had given up hope on the company, seeing them as a machine to pump out profitable sequels rather than the creative geniuses they once were. As time passed, they only seemed to fall further and further into the void.
In that darkness was a shining light in the hands of director Lee Unkrich, who led the direction of the most recent film, Coco.
A film that blends stellar visuals and heart filled moments, Coco is one of the most unique films to be developed for mainstream audiences in recent years. The music, setting, motif, emotion, and characters all blend to create a melting pot of genuinely fantastic film design, culminating in an ending that is as emotional as it is spectacular.
For more information on Coco, go see the film yourself! It’s still in theaters, and deserves the attention you could give it!
Also, we did a podcast on Coco a couple of weeks back, which you can check out here.
https://boardwalktimes.net/episode-17-of-boardwalk-talk-is-now-available-4beb47f5d469
The filmography of Pixar is one of consistent quality and delights. As a company, they’ve had a near perfect track record of delivering magical experience that are matched by no other group.
My hope is that this list acts as both the start of a Pixar journey, whether it be for your first time or the one-thousandth. These films are some of the best ever produced, and do the legacy of Pixar justice by defining their strongest traits as a company.
As a fan, I can only hope that this success lasts into the future, as Pixar continues to impact the way we view entertainment, one film at a time.
Ryan Dorman is a Columnist and Content Director for the Boardwalk Times. He can be found on Twitter at @OpentheDorman, and on the Boardwalk Talk podcast on iTunes or YouTube
