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Rating: Summary: Can Pixar Keep It's Crown? Review: At the time of writing we have little more than the trailer of this film to measure it's merits. Sure, Pixar have an unbroken track record including A Bug's Life which, on release, was unjustly compared to Toy Story and has always lived unfairly in it's shadow. Sure, the premise of a family of super heroes returning to work after a prolonged absence is high-concept enough to hold an interesting story (not to mention Pixar's now famous comedy writing). And sure, the trailer is funnier and better made than a lot of the films it has had the misfortune to precede (it was the only thing worth seeing at The Haunted Mansion). But let's look at the facts... Several months ago, during the fine-tuning of this film, Pixar announced it's split from Disney. Disney had given Pixar it's leg-up only to see it's offspring out-perform it in every way. Shrewd as ever, Disney had got an iron-clad contract with Pixar for a seven-picture deal as well as, important this, control of all of the characters created for the films. This means that all hopes of the often rumored Toy Story 3 are shattered unless it is made without Pixar's involvement - and, considering Disney's output lately, I for one would prefer to not see it happen at all. Of course Disney, never one to shy from flogging a dead horse (Pocahontas 2 anyone?!), will immediately start churning out garbage featuring Woody, Flik, Sully and Nemo for a quick buck. This will be Pixar's sixth film for Disney (with Cars to follow next year) and it's possible that the fruitlessness of working FOR Disney as opposed to WITH them, may have made the folks at Pixar a little less willing to produce top-quality fayre. However, this would seem to be cutting one's nose of to spite one's face since Pixar would do well to maintain their high-standard so that when they leave Disney they leave with a better reputation than their 'parent' company. This will definately leave Disney with an 'empty nest' feeling. An empty nest that will soon be filled by Chicken Little - apparently Disney's move to produce all of it's theatrical features in CGI - the sounds you hear are Uncle Walt spinning and people snorting in disgust as they remember Disney's Dinosaur. Also, for your consideration, is the competition. Finding Nemo knocked King Simba's crown off the top of the box-office charts only to have it picked up recently by a flatulent green ogre. Shrek 2 has shown that Disney and Pixar are not the only two names in animation and with many more studios jumping on the bandwagon we can only hope that Pixar don't suffer the same fate as Disney has over the past few years. The makers of Shrek 2 have already credited Toy Story of being the daddy, calling it the "Snow White of CGI". Let's hope that Pixar doesn't become the "Disney of CGI", which would have been a compliment as recently as 1997, but which now sadly isn't. I hold my hopes high and proud for The Incredibles. I do the same for Cars and all of Pixar's future output - they deserve it. The bile that I spit in the direction of Disney is fuelled by love and frustration - not hate. I am a long time fan and DVD competist - I even bought Treasure Planet! I just hope they know what they're doing and do it well. If anyone from Disney reads this please remember:- STORY FIRST! We love gorgeous animation but hate style over content. Walt knew this and Pixar know this - learn from the masters.
Rating: Summary: PIXAR at it's finest (again)! Review: Definitely the top animation company so far this mullinium, PIXAR is ready to deliver another of it's extraordinary films with its highly acclaimed excellent sense of (clean) humor!Aside from their amazing humorous story-telling techniques PIXAR is also at the top of its trade with its stunning animation and special effects. Fianally the new realm of computer animation that has been feared for nearly a decade is being conquered with excellent style! This is definitely going to be the top film of the year for me and at least the top animated film of the year for many!
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