Disney Pixar is the pinnacle of animated films. The release of Toy Story in 1995 was an absolute game-changer, and animation hasn’t been the same since. The bar keeps getting raised (maybe not with Monsters University or Cars 2), but with every story, there’s a connection with children and adults alike about life and its many stages. I can’t think of a better time than now to release the top five Pixar films of the past two decades. No. The Incredibles is not one of them!
You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. Guaranteed.
TOY STORY 3
It’s the end of an era with this one. Our cinematic journey with Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang comes to a close in an incredibly heartfelt, endearing finale of the Toy Story trilogy. There’s excitement, suspense, and humor all involving toys, yet the movie delivers a miraculous human experience.
UP
Pixar’s tenth film is full of color and contains a story full of life. Visually dazzling while never being afraid of showing the darker side of life, Up displays an imaginative soul with astonishing emotional depth. I dare you to keep your eyes dry during the first ten minutes of it.
INSIDE OUT
An unbelievably diverting and soundly innovative film about growing up as our childhood slowly fades. Lead by a perfect cast of voices, it explores why we think and act the way we do in a brilliant, witty manner. This radiant, enthralling animated film messes with our hearts and minds in the most fascinating, enjoyable way possible.
FINDING NEMO
A father searching for his son with the help of a lady who can’t remember a thing. Oh, and they’re all fish. Finding Nemo is undoubtedly spectacular in animation and adventure while being one of the most absorbing films Pixar has ever created. You may notice there are common themes swimming through every Pixar film, and they run deep in this one.
TOY STORY
There’s no way I could leave off the one that started it all. Woody and Buzz became a part of our lives in a film about toys and their lasting effect on a child and vice versa. Unlike anything we had seen before, Toy Story is madly inventive in its storytelling, paving the way for future animated movies to find the heart, humor, and meaning of life in so many unique possible ways.
So all together now….Long live Pixar!
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association and the Southeastern Film Critics Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
Check out the SoBros Shop. Become a Patron. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.
