Happy August, Geekly Gang! My bi-monthly movie posts are usually based on a holiday or awareness event. With August, I have no clue what would work, so I decided to make August a wildcard. Instead of holiday or “Month of Honor” movies, I’d like to take this time to talk about one of my most beloved animation studios, Pixar.
I’ve mentioned my preference for Pixar films over Disney films on my movie blog (TGIMovies), just not with the Geekly Gang. I still enjoy classic Disney, but if I had to choose which studio has more personal, relatable, and adult themes in their films, it’d be Pixar. To this day, many of Pixar’s films are household names and have raised a generation of film lovers. Me included. I’d like to honor my favorites in the post. I hope you enjoy!
5) Toy Story
It’s hard not to include a Toy Story film. While I enjoyed Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3, the original has always been my favorite. Despite the now-outdated (yet charming) animation, the magic of childhood is what keeps me coming back to the first Toy Story. When I first saw Toy Story as a kid, it ignited my love for toys and my imagination. The filmmakers knew what it felt like to have a friend you could hold in your hand. Not only that, but the first Toy Story encouraged me to analyze films for deeper meanings.
After countless viewings in my childhood, I started thinking about why I enjoyed Toy Story so much. I broke down the situations, how effective Sid was as an antagonist, and how the toys are really a reflection of their owners. I started doing this with Toy Story at the age of 10. I couldn’t help but include Toy Story on this list. And Pixar wouldn’t be what it is today without Toy Story. Toy Story easily claims the fifth spot, but over time, I’ve grown to love other Pixar films a bit more.
4) WALL-E
I adore WALL-E. The idea, the execution, the visuals, and the experience are unlike anything else in Pixar’s library. Given the lack of dialogue, the characters’ actions and the visuals tell the story. I respect WALL-E for its dedication to visual storytelling while still being a mainstream, big-budget children’s movie. This shows the filmmakers have deep respect for children by letting them draw their own conclusions.
As an adult, my favorite aspect of WALL-E is its message. WALL-E is unequivocally an environmental movie, but it’s unlike any other environmental film. Most others look at the issue from a pessimistic perspective, but WALL-E is (as far as I know) the only optimistic one I’ve seen. WALL-E addresses the issue realistically while urging us to make a change and focusing on the good we can do if we just try. I’ve already reviewed WALL-E at length on my blog; you can check it out here if you’d like to see my more detailed thoughts.
3) The Incredibles
The Incredibles is a movie that pops into my head without warning. I remember watching The Incredibles as a kid, getting engaged in the action, drawing comparisons between the Parrs and my own family, and loving the comedic beats. What sets The Incredibles apart from other superhero films is how it wasn’t based on a comic, and it preceded the comic-book film boom of today. Part of me can’t help but wonder if the success of The Incredibles paved the way for the reintroduction of superhero movies.
Much like other classic Pixar films, The Incredibles is chock-full of things that went over my head as a child. It still appeals to my inner child, but it challenges me in my adulthood by discussing mature topics. I never noticed it before, but The Incredibles deals with concepts like suicide, targeted legal/government actions, civil rights, big business, socio-economic divides, and cultural genocide. When I was young, all I remembered was “No capes,” but now I know what a difficult place the world is. Thanks, Incredibles.
2) Inside Out
Inside Out has a simplistic premise of emotions controlling your actions. I first saw Inside Out when I was approaching my teenage years, and Inside Out managed to put life in perspective. Inside Out’s greatest strength is its realistic depiction of emotions, but my favorite aspect is how it manages to be both one and two stories at the same time. Inside Out is technically a movie about emotions inside the head of Riley Andersen, but it’s really about Riley herself.
We see what Riley’s emotions go through to keep her on track, and the effects of those actions on Riley in the real world. In the process, Inside Out paints a nearly perfect picture of what it feels like as a real-life girl going through a crisis. When I first saw Inside Out, I saw myself in Riley. I felt her inner turmoil. As I’ve gotten older, Inside Out continues to help me work through difficult past experiences while trying to be the best person I can. What a movie.
1) Finding Nemo
A major part of why Finding Nemo claims the top spot is its story and characters. The characters endeared themselves to me, and the situation they found themselves in was engaging. Each character’s distinct personality, relatable goals, and identifiable flaws make them real. I’ve always preferred Marlin’s story over Nemo’s. In fact, Finding Nemo is the movie that taught me how my own parents are more complex than I first thought.
Before I saw Finding Nemo, I thought my parents were benevolent beings who mercifully gave me life and could do no wrong. I was kinda dumb. Finding Nemo showed me how difficult a parent’s life could be. My parents were more like me, and they have significantly more problems. Granted, a not insignificant part of me wanted to put myself in danger so they could “prove” that to me, so I may have originally misunderstood that point in Finding Nemo. This movie holds a special place in my heart. Finding Nemo features fabulous animation, spot-on pacing, timeless characters, and its story is unforgettable. Without a doubt, Finding Nemo is my favorite Pixar movie.
There are plenty of Pixar films that didn’t make this list. This list was difficult to make because there are so many great Pixar films to choose from. Maybe this post can help y’all decide your favorite Pixar films. Do you agree with my picks? What would you change? Are there any Pixar movies you’re excited about? Feel free to leave a comment; we always love hearing from y’all. Also, why not give your parents a hug? I’m sure they miss you. Take care and keep watching movies!
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