The modern king of animated movies has had tremendous amounts of success ever since its flagship movie, Toy Story, became a blockbuster success in 1995. Since that time, every single movie that Pixar has produced has done better than the last and they show no signs of stopping. Steve Jobs believed in this company when it was first starting out and invested in Pixar heavily, and like his insight was right on so many things - so was it right here as well.
Many people do not realize that the Pixar creators set out to make Toy Story geared towards adults more than children. The original script was actually quite dark, and while the character of Woody looked the sameâEUR¦ his demeanor was much more off putting than the one voiced by Tom Hanks. Before the re write happened and the focus shifted primarily to children (a decision that would shape Pixar's role in films forever), the company wanted to be a gritty representation in an ironic medium.
Fortunately they were saved from themselves and the instant classics like Toy Story, Finding Nemo, or Monster's Inc. grace movie collections around the world. Of course, Pixar's success only came about from their ability to connect with a wide range of audience members and their films retain depth and characters that appeal to adults as much as they do to kids.
Wall-e is a call for help against the pollution of our planet and bodies as much as it is an adventure for a kind robot and his best friend. In the same vein, Finding Nemo also calls attention to the impact that mankind has on the oceans by giving the likeable fish and other aquatic creatures a voice and range of emotions that seem impossible. Never have I felt so connected to a little bald green thing with one eye, thank you Pixar.This is Pixar's greatest accomplishment. The ability to take something like a toy, a fish, a monster, robot, and give it a personality as big as any actor is incredible. Just look at their opening sequence - the hopping desk lamp - with ten seconds and no words, that lamp is able to convey an entire story and you get a real feel for its mischievous character.
The entire first half of Wall-e features the loveable robot and almost zero dialogue. Just a robot and a cockroach, together forever and yet I have such a full understanding of who Wally is that I hardly noticed that nothing was talking.
The name precedes it, and anything that Pixar puts its name on will sell. Yet this has not sacrificed the quality that comes from the Pixar studios. Even in the joint venture with Disney to produce Brave, Pixar's delved into human characters more than it ever has in the past. Yet look how different this Disney Princess is to those that precede her - I give full credit of this to Pixar for always pushing the boundaries.