Toy Story

Watching Toy Story again for the first time several years felt like a reunion with friends that I didn't even know I missed. It's difficult to look at Toy Story and remember just how innovative this film actually was as the first CGI film though this most likely has to with the fact that even over ten years later, the story and characters are just as entertaining as they were then. Having the legacy of the first CGI film can only carry the movie so far and luckily the movie gets more right than it does wrong. When I remember that this was Pixar's first feature film, the storytelling becomes even more impressive than it already is. Prior to this, the studio was only accustomed to making short films and it's surprising that Toy Story doesn't feel like it's being stretched too thin. This is one of the things I love about this movie: every scene is either a cause or an effect. There's no self-indulgence or showing off. The plotting is tight and the characterizations are strong.

Its also impressive that big name actors like Tim Allen and Tom Hanks were able to get into their roles as opposed to most animated films where a celebrity voice presence seems to only exist for box office buzz. Allen and Hanks inject enough genuine acting to make these personalities real and the same goes for all the other characters who all make the best of their screen time. This is indicative of most of Pixar's movies: they treat their characters seriously enough to allow them to grow, creating personalities that are more believable than most of those found in live-action films. The only character that comes of as unlikable here is Mr. Potato head. He spends all of screen time putting Woody down and starts the revolt against him for Buzz's disappearance with little evidence other than Woody dislike for Buzz. I just really hated him for the most film and wanted to throw him in the trash. That's really the only complaint I could pick with this movie. Toy Story more than earns its status as an instant classic and I now I'm interested in reintroducing myself with it's sequel.

Ratatouille

I've set myself with a goal to see all Pixar movies before the year's end. In the last couple of years I've completely ignored the studio's films despite their critical success. Out of the the 11 Pixar films (counting the upcoming Toy Story 3) I've only seen 5 of them. Ratatoullie was Pixar's 2007 release. It's the story of Remy, a rat who dreams of becoming a famous French chef though his large family doesn't share such a sentiment. Remy's life takes a detour and leads him to the bright lights of Paris where his idol, Auguste Gusteau's restaurant has fallen on hard times, but with the help of a clumsy young man named Alfredo, Remy's culinary experience might just save the restaurant.

Saying that a Pixar movie looks good is pretty much a given. The movie is packed with beautiful images of Paris, drawn to look quaint and retro. There are imaginative camera angles and movement, and a stunning attention to detail. The characters move and emote with fluidity, not stiffly, the most animated films now-a-days do it. As usual with Pixar films, there is a simple plot that somehow manages to hold a lot more weigh and complexity than I would've guessed. Most notably, I was impressed with how the movie juggles the multiple relationships and plots all at once. There's Remy's connection to his dad and brother, his conflicting desire to be a gourmet chef, Linguini's crush on a fellow cook, The head chef's paranoia that there's a rat living in the kitchen. The rightful ownership of the Gusteau brand name comes into play, and somehow, a picky critic figures into the whole thing as well.

Another thing that struck me was that while most Pixar films strike a happy balance of subject matter that both kids and adults can enjoy, this one seemed to be aimed more for the adults; not in a suggestive sense but in a sophisticated sense. There's little in the way of pure slapstick and most of the humor comes from what's being said than what's happening on screen. Sure kids will enjoy this but I think older people would appreciate it more. I certainly enjoyed this and I can't wait to see what other Pixar films I've let slip past my radar.