Among Pixar and Disney fans, many regard the Cars movies with a certain degree of apathy. Generally, the sense is that the first movie is okay, the second movie is slightly less okay, and neither ranks anywhere near the best Disney or Pixar has done. However, we also know how much money the franchise makes for the company, thanks to its younger fans and merchandising. We know movies like Cars allow Disney and Pixar to make riskier, interesting films.
I’ll tell you, though. If you’ve been to Disneyland in the last year and visited their latest area, Cars Land, it’ll make you appreciate the movie on a whole new level. In the park, fans are transported to the center of Radiator Springs complete with all the characters and you gain a whole new level respect for the work John Lasseter and his crew put into Cars and Cars 2.
While we have yet to hear any rumblings of a Cars 3, Disney does continue to make short films in the franchise and three new Tales From Radiator Springs have just been released. Directed by Jeremy Lasky, one features Lightning McQueen getting Hiccups, the next is about the fire engine Red getting Bugged and the third shows Guido with a Spinning sign. Check them out below. Read More »
.
Please Recommend /Film on Facebook
Posted on Friday, December 21st, 2012 by Angie Han
Grownup fans will argue til the cows come home about which Pixar movie is the best (it’s Ratatouille, FYI), but when it comes to the studio’s worst film, there’s a strong consensus that Cars 2 is the studio’s low point. Even the original Cars was beloved more by kids than their parents, and the sequel has the dubious distinction of being the first Pixar movie to ever get a “Rotten” critical score.
Nevertheless, the franchise’s success with the under-12 set can’t be ignored, and so Disney announced a few years ago that a spinoff titled Planes was in the works. (Yes, I mean Disney, not Pixar.) The feature was originally slated to go straight to DVD in the fall of 2013, but now the studio’s changing course with a planned theatrical release next summer. More after the jump.
Read More »
LucasFilm and Disney have long had a very symbiotic relationship. It began when Star Tours first hit Disney parks in 1987 and ever since, Disney characters have dressed up as Star Wars characters, Star Wars actors have done events at Disney, Disney sells tons of Star Wars merchandise, you catch the drift. The latest collaboration between the two brands is a little more surprising however.
Star Wars Celebration VI is currently taking place in Orlando, Florida and at The Disney Collectors Panel it was revealed that the characters from Cars would soon be reimagined as Star Wars characters. Mater as Darth Vader. Lightning as Luke Skywalker, and so on. After the jump, check out a bunch of photos of the characters and discuss this financially sound, but creatively crazy idea. Read More »
How is it that a movie studio that produces kid’s films can be responsible for so many of the best films in cinema?
Twenty years ago, that question would be directed at Disney. Now it’s more likely to refer to Pixar, Studio Ghibli, or even Dreamworks of late. What is it about children’s entertainment that has, time and time again, managed to capture the hearts and minds of adults as much as it has their offspring?
Perhaps it’s a result of these films rekindling our lost sense of childlike wonder and naively adventurous spirit. Perhaps it’s their universally accessible narrative simplicity, always ready to charm away our worries with the awe-inspiring visual splendor through which these tales are so often told.
Whatever the case may be, with thirteen films under their belt, the Pixar formula is one that’s proven itself to leave a lasting impression, transporting us to spectacular, gorgeously rendered and thoughtfully defined worlds — second only to the passionately heartfelt and funny stories of family and friendship embedded within.
What’s more, Pixar is able to achieve this mixture while emboldening children to think for themselves; to challenge the status quo; to recognize their true potential, as well as their limitations. As fun and charming and pretty as Pixar’s films are, it’s the complex ideas and emotions they explore that makes them truly special, affording youths the opportunity to confront the realities of the world around them in a way they can understand and cope with. While everyone else is content to pander to kids, Pixar knows that the best way to communicate with children is to treat them as equals.
But equality is not a trait shared by the current roster of Pixar films. Despite the technical virtuosity on full display with every production, it takes a lot more than stunning animation to make a film great, and that’s not a balance that Pixar always strikes — at least not recently. At one point it may have seemed like the studio could do no wrong, but that was a short-lived romantic notion, and hardly one that merits much deliberation. No, far more instructive would be to scrutinize their missteps in conjunction with their successes, and try to determine what exactly it is that makes any one of their works richer than the other. After all, what better way to understand what makes a story great than to study the best? Read More »
This weekend saw the release of Pixar’s latest film, Brave, a movie that easily won the weekend, garnering an overall “A” CinemaScore from appreciative audiences. Still, at only 74 percent on RottenTomatoes (Pixar’s second worst), and a 7 out of 10 from Germain Lussier, it is clear there is a bit of room for dissent.
Out there in audience-land, did you notice something a little “off” about Brave? Perhaps there are lessons that can be learned, or conversations to engage in?
To provide some context, and on the off chance we have completely different taste, here are my top five Pixar efforts:
1. WALL-E
2. Up
3. Toy Story
4. Finding Nemo
5. Monsters, Inc.
Until now, the only Pixar film I flat out didn’t enjoy was Ratatouille, though I admit to only having seen it once, and folks say I’d like it much more if I were to re-visit. Even Cars 2 had redeeming qualities. I can truly say I’ve never found a Pixar film entirely lacking, and that statement includes Brave. There’s no question the film had amazing visuals, setting a new standard for excellence within the animation genre. Unfortunately, the story lacked a bit of … what’s the word I’m looking for? Ooomph. As such, I’m compelled to break down where I feel the problems were, if only to restore everyone’s favorite animation house to the glory they so richly deserve.
One final note, just to head off the obligatory “comparing Brave to the rest of Pixar’s work isn’t entirely fair” argument, we’re in complete agreement there. It’s not fair, and in many ways Pixar’s own ambition and commitment to excellence have raised the bar for all movies. So no, Brave isn’t a bad movie on merit, it’s merely an average one, which animation houses make all the time without compelling anyone to write a 3,000 word article on the subject. But within the greater context of Pixar’s previous work, Brave does come up short, and I think we’ve got a bead on the reasons why.
Note: Massive SPOILERS follow, naturally.
Read More »
Posted on Thursday, March 8th, 2012 by Angie Han
The two Cars films may be Pixar’s worst-reviewed films to date, but the scorn of critics certainly doesn’t stop kids from loving the hell out of Lightning McQueen, Mater, and company. There are Cars-themed lunchboxes, t-shirts, games, even beds — and starting in June, there’ll be a Cars Land as well. Disney has just announced the opening date for the 12-acre attraction, an expansion of Disney California Adventure in Anaheim. Hit the jump for details on the grand opening, as well as pictures and video offering glimpses of the new Cars Land.
Read More »
Whether you’re a Disney superfan like our own Peter Sciretta or more a casual admirer like myself, it’s hard not to get extremely excited when a whole new world is opening up at one of their theme parks. The next one up is Cars Land, based on the popular Pixar films, which is scheduled to open this June at Disney California Adventure. Though plenty of information has been released about some of the rides and other attractions, a video has now come online featuring Disney Imagineers discussing the creation of this whole new world.
After the jump with a 12-minute making of video for Cars Land. Read More »
Posted on Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011 by Angie Han
For the past seven months, Kees van Dijkhuizen‘s been releasing tribute videos for his yearlong “[the films of]” project, each showcasing the work of a different director via a montage, and we at /Film have been with him since the beginning. For his newest installment, however, van Dijkhuizen chose to go a slightly different route: Rather than select one auteur to focus on, he’s chosen an entire company. Watch “[the films of] Pixar Animation Studios” after the jump.
Read More »
Cool Posts From Around the Web:
