The Top 10 Best Pixar Films

The Top 10 Best Pixar Films

I'm not going to lie, when it comes to comprising film lists and comparing one film to another, it's not something that I'm going to boast in saying that I'm good at. I'm probably the last person on earth to ask. However, being that Pixar are on the resurgence path, with Cars 3 just recently being released and films like Coco, The Incredible's II and Toy Story 4 coming out in the near future, it's the perfect time for me to give you my opinion of what the best Pixar films. As much as ranking impactful animations such as these Pixar films is like trying to rank your brothers or sisters by how much you like them the most, keep in mind that non of these films that are mentioned in this list are bad. In the world of children's entertainment, nothing has set Pixar apart more than its burning passion not to coast or mail it in. While some of these films are considerably better than each other, it's easy to fathom how all of them try to convey something special to the eye of the viewer. But which one of these films stands out from the rest? Well, let's explore that. Without further a due, let's begin the list!! Enjoy the read! 😊

Number 10 - Up (Peter Docter, 2009)

While it's arguable to look at all of Pixar's released films and to state that they've made a few animations that are rather forgetful in comparison to other related features, it can't be understated how much imagination goes into all their workings. To an extent, Peter Docter's Up upholds this practise by having one of the most emotionally impactful openings of an animation that hasn't even been seen or done before in that proportion. Even though the heartbreaking preamble in the beginning is remarkably touching and touches on the crushing story of Carl and his loss of Ellie, the rest of the film, unfortunately, is fairly set-up to be the standard and structured animation which establishes cute characters amongst a villain that disrupts the central characters revelations. It's unclear whether the film should have had a more emotional emotional and subtle approach to the proceedings than. However, one thing is for certain, the plot of the film is certainly a lot more thread-bare than you might remember...Sorry. 😐 

Number 9 - Ratatouille (Brad Bird, 2007)

Our second entry on the list comes in the form of Brad Bird's fast-paced and visually stunning animation of Ratatouille which presents us with and oddly touching concept which is centred around an unlikely anthropomorphised character. While it may not be as impactful or viscerally enthralling compared to other, more notable, Pixar features of which we'll discuss, one of the more profound aspects that Ratatouille has going for it, is its way of being wholeheartedly genuine. Sweeping aside the brash and stagnant trope of cheap gags and pop-culture references that less successful computer-generated animations inert, this Brad Bird animation is a formulaic filmic picture that is not only brimming with originality through the scenario and the characters, but has a visual panache that most computer-generated animations can't boast about. It's no wonder the film won an Oscar.

Number 8 - Monsters, Inc. (Peter Docter, 2002)

I think the placement of Monsters, Inc. really depends on how much you can stand Billy Crystal's outlandish comedic shtick. In similar vain to one of Robin Williams' best role as the Genie in Aladdin, Crystal's enactment as the exuberant Mike Wazowski is up-and-down-and-all-around and is just about complemented by his more laid-back and gentle friend of Sulley, who himself has to interact with the innocent and lovable three-year-old girl of Boo. If there's one aspect to like about Monsters, Inc., it's the way in which it pairs exasperated adult characters with an impossibly cute kid which, in turn, makes it so that all demographics can relate to. With the film featuring mature jokes for adults to laugh at and a story-line/concept that the main target audience of children will enjoy watching, there's not much to fault here since it moves a generally reasonable pace and features an emotional goodbye.

Number 7 - Toy Story 2 (John Lasseter , 2000)

Next on the list is John Lasseter's Toy Story 2, a Pixar entry that , I'm sure, most of you who are reading this would place higher up the pecking order. Designed to be a straight-to-DVD feature but then was slotted for a theatrical release by the Pixar hierarchy, who were much more happier with the films progression than the creatives themselves, the beloved sequel has to be re-conceived on the fly and rush to completion. Miraculously, Toy Story 2 never once shows the panic that went into making it. In expanding Woody's and Buzz's universe without losing the engaging focus of the characters and the laughs and sentiment they emit, this follow-up deepens the themes of the original and implements story-telling and a talented cast to deliver a rich experience that all ages with be encapsulated by. I mean, you only have to look at the "When She Loved Me" flashback sequence in the film to grasp how universal this sequel is to those who are watching it...   

Number 6 - Toy Story 3 (Lee Unkrich, 2010)

I'm not going to lie, to rank all three Toy Story films is near-enough impossible. While I have indeed placed Toy Story 2 just under it's 2010 sequel, it doesn't mean to say that I think any of these are bad whatsoever. You can't really go wrong with any of them, but if we're deciding on which of the last two films were better, then it would have to be the latter. While the second film went infinity and beyond in relation to its story-telling and how it broadened it's own world through the characterisation, Toy Story 3 wholeheartedly ensnared its devoted audience by providing us with a new concept that pulled on to our heart-strings. Indeed, it was the perfect ending to one of films most beloved franchises...It's just a shame that we're getting another film! While the next film could be equally as engaging, it's just unfortunate that Toy Story 3's ending won't stand to be the penultimate ending.

Number 5 - Finding Nemo (Andrew Stanton, 2003)

Grounded by the stellar efforts of a well-chosen cast, Andrew Stanton's Finding Nemo is one of Pixar's crowning jewels. With the plot solely focusing on a nervous clown fish and a lovably loopy blue tang desperately searching for his lost son Nemo, Finding Nemo's lessons about the importance of letting our children live their own lives are only strengthened by how scary this film can be. Amongst the terrors and thrills that Stanton and the imaginative animators deploy throughout the story, what is welcoming to perceive of this film are the interactions that the main characters have with secondary characters that come and go. Whether it's you're seeing Nemo trying to escape into the ocean with the Tank Gang or Marlin and Dory swimming along with Stanton's character of the sea turtle Crush, Finding Nemo, like many other Pixar films, charms it's viewers through a variety of aspects and remains today, to be one of the animations classics.

Number 4 - Inside Out (Peter Docter, 2015)

As much as Pixar in the past has shown its genuine inventiveness in films that have come to grace the animation scene, it can't understated how hard it is to think of a new idea and concept that is not only different, but is something that embroils its audience with creativity and distinction. This is that Pete Docter developed through the inventive and gorgeously animated feature of Inside Out. In providing a smart story-line which promises to change the way people think about how people think and understand certain things and scenarios that pop-up in our lives, Inside Out certainly swept aside the naysayers, who critiqued Pixar's declining quality, and remains to be a modern animated classic that exploits CG to its highest capacity.

Number 3 - Wall-E (Andrew Stanton, 2008)

In looking, retrospectively, at preceding Pixar features and noticing where each of these films have been situated in, it was inevitable with the longevity that this lauded animation company has had that they would produce a film set in space. However, amongst the prolific sci-fi tropes and niche references to other great science-fiction films of the past, Wall-E stands to be one of the most ambitious yet charming Pixar films that have ever graced the silver-screen. From the opening 30 minutes which visually and quietly tells the story of Earth's destruction and devolution of the human race to the appearance of Wall-E himself who exhibits humanity despite appearing as insufficient hero, this Andrew Stanton film is an unprecedented achievement that shows what Pixar is all about. And not for nothing, Wall-E also happens to feature Pixar's greatest love story...

Number 2 - The Incredibles (Brad Bird, 2004)

As debatable as it is placing this film as highly as the other films which people adore, I don't think anyone would mind putting Brad Bird's The Incredibles as the number 2 since it's an animation that uniquely humanises a genre known for action-orientated plot-lines. One of the key successes that The Incredibles boasts is its efficiency to balance the inevitable superhero tropes around a likeable and close-knit family that, even though they have their own problems to solve themselves, ultimately unite to overcome an evil force. It does all this in under two hours and never once rushes to cram any necessary plot details in. The family aspect itself is a concept that is near-to-perfect written well. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that The Incredibles II looks set to be one of Pixar's most profitable and cherished sequels to grace the theatres next year.

Number 1 - Toy Story (John Lasseter, 1996)

I know...It was always likely that Pixar's first filmic incarnation of Toy Story was going to end-up being the number one choice. However, as disappointed as some of you might be over the fact that I placed John Lasseter's film as the number one choice, it remains today to be an animation that is simply perfect and satisfying to watch. Pixar's first feature is still the template for every great film the studio has made since; earned emotions, ripping action-sequences, dead-on insights into human nature and lots of well-written and relatable laughs for old and younger audiences. This might be down to me thinking about this film in a very nostalgia way, but Toy Story is a very melancholic animated feature. Woody and Buzz's battle for Andy's love and appreciation speaks to everyone's fear of being replaced or forgotten, as well as our shared recognition that the innocence of childhood can't last forever. The animation for the time it was release is truly eye-popping and features a voice-cast that won't be ever erased from those who grew-up with it. Truly, Toy Story deserves to be, at least, one of the best animated features in Pixar's longevity and in cinemas history.

With that, it's time for me to conclude this Blog Post. As always everyone, thank you for reading my latest Film List where I go through the top 10 best Pixar films. Honestly, this was a hard list to structure and even now, I'm still trying to decide whether or not some of the films are correctly place. What I can say confidently, is that all of these films are great animations. However, if you think another film should have been placed as number 1 or if you think another Pixar film that wasn't mentioned in this list at all and should have been in this listing, please feel free to drop your opinions down below. It'll be intersting to know what your favourite is. As far as the norm of film reviewing is concerned, I will be back later next week, hopefully, with an analysis of Spiderman: Homecoming. Once again, thank you reading my latest Blog Post and I'll see you all next week! Have a nice day! Adieu! 😎✌