Worst2First: My Top Ten Pixar Films

Worst2First: 

My Top Ten Pixar Films

Pixar is one of those rare studio companies who produce amazing work time and time again (with some minor exceptions, such as "Cars 2"), and which leaves the viewer better for the experience.  They've revolutionized the way animated childrens' films are done, in which it's not just enjoyable for the 2-year-old, but the 52-year-old as well.  Most parents dread having to play that certain movie their child yells for again and again, but not when it's Pixar.  They have a way to cut to the deep of each viewer, arouse emotions that even the biggest Oscar-bait movie fails to do.  They've re-ignited the imagination in all of us, by sending us everywhere - from Scottish highlands to the depths of the ocean; from our childhood fears to our innermost beings; from the toys we cherished as children to the superheroes we idolize today.

"Finding Dory," the long-awaited sequel to the 2003 hit "Finding Nemo," hits theaters this week.  In honor of this, I've compiled a list of my top ten favorite Pixar films, from Worst2First.

**There will be no spoilers.**

#10

Brave

Disney is well-known for crafting princesses girls idolize - Cinderella, Snow White, Belle and Ariel come to mind immediately.  Pixar finally added a new name to the list: Merida.  However, she's not your typical princess.  She doesn't want a man, she has unruly, unkempt red hair, and she knows her way with a bow and arrow.  She's the independent woman that's all the rage, and she's tough as nails.  This is Pixar's first tale centering around a fairy tale, with a Scottish setting.  The animation is lush and beautiful, and the relationship between Merida and her mother is touching and poignant. 

#9

Toy Story 2

Pixar's first sequel isn't as good as the original, but it's still outstanding in its own right.  Woody is accidentally sent away after a tear in his fabric, where he is taken to Al's Toy Barn, where he meets cowgirl Jessie and horse Bullseye - and finds his complete set.  As Buzz and the others set out to rescue him, he begins pondering whether it'd be better for him to be in a museum, since every toy has a certain shelf life.  Another fantastic tale featuring our favorite living toys.

#8

Monsters, Inc.

Pixar delves into the world of childhood nightmares, and proves that not all monsters are scary.  "Monsters, Inc." is a lot of different things - a buddy comedy, a tale of redemption, a story of love, and proof that you can be different and still like each other.  A not-so-amazing prequel followed, but the original is still the best, and features some amazing work by John Goodman and Billy Crystal.

#7

Toy Story

Pixar's first computer-generated film was revolutionary, and changed the way cinema did animation.  Its groundbreaking use of computer graphics was unparalleled, and maintains its authenticity to this day.  This was the beginning of the journey - not just for the toys who come to life - but also for the viewers who watched it.  They just didn't know it yet.

#6

Inside Out

Pixar was hitting a slight slump, after the dismal "Cars 2" and "Monsters University," it seemed that they've stalled on their original material.  Then came "Inside Out," and proved that they were still on top of cutting edge, original animation.  The story of a young girl who has battling emotions inside her head was a crowd-pleaser for old and young alike, and, much like the emotions, made us run the gambit of our own as well.

#5

The Incredibles

Pixar's take on the superhero subgenre was a hit for audiences and critics alike, and gave us a different spin on the otherwise stale genre, where the world is tired of supers and want normalcy.  Here, the superheroes are all a family, who want to hide their super-ness, yet are pulled out of hiding in order to save themselves.  More than just being super, it also was a profound family drama and spy film all rolled into one masterpiece.

#4

Finding Nemo

Pixar goes under the sea in this grand, sweeping tale of a single father fish in search of Nemo, his young son who gets taken.  The result is a fascinating race through the ocean, delivered with grand visuals and comedic performances, as well as showcasing the undying bond between father and son.  The opening scene with his wife is heart-shattering, and is the first of many emotional moments Pixar creates.  Plus it was the first Pixar film to win Best Animated Feature at the Oscars, and introduced us to one of animation's most popular characters - the lovable forgettable blue tang fish Dory.

#3

Toy Story 3

It's rare that a sequel is better than the original.  It's a true cinematic feat when the third film is better than the original, but leave it to Pixar to accomplish just that.  In 1995, the original "Toy Story" began, and this story continued until 2010, with the third - and best - "Story" of them all.  This spans a time-frame of fifteen years, so if you were three when you saw the first film, you'd be 18 when the third came out - just in time for you, like Andy, to move on to adulthood and leave your childish things aside.  This film made me literally cry twice - in the middle and the end - and served as one of Pixar's best.  It was even nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, something almost unheard of for not just a third in a series, but an animated film as well.  Even though there's a fourth one in the works, nothing can compare to this classic original trilogy. 

#2

Up

The first twenty minutes.  Easily the most tear-jerking, heart-wrenching, emotionally stirring twenty minutes in any animated - or other - movie ever.  The love story between Carl and Ellie is the stuff of movies, and something everyone should strive to find.  His quest to honor her by flying his house to South America is awe-inspiring, and the additions of boy scout Russell and the lovable, simply amazing Dug, make the film not just an emotional roller coaster, but also a comedic gem and old-fashioned action/adventure as well.  No wonder it was the first animated film since "Beauty and the Beast" in 1992 to be nominated for Best Picture.

#1

WALL-E

Pixar's most daring trek also became one of its best.  Pixar is designed to create films for children, and children love a lot of vibrant colors, action, and speaking.  For the first half-hour of the film, there is no dialogue, and no people.  Instead, it's lonely robot cleaner WALL-E, living in a trash-infested Earth long devoid of humanity, as he completes his daily mundane tasks.  All the while, he finds the joy in the little things, but longs for company.  In arrives robot EVE, and WALL-E is immediately smitten, and what follows is a throwback to the classic silent film romance, and one of the best couples in cinematic history.  There's also a thrilling space adventure and a scary possible future for society.  All through the eyes of the most lovable robot ever, who doesn't strive to be the hero, but does it out of his own kindness.