Seven Great Pixar Moments

The original title of this post was “Pixar’s Greatest Moments,” but I decided I am not enough of a critic or scholar to make that kind of judgement. Moreover, this list is based solely on my recollection of the films, so it’s entirely possible that if I were to sit down and re-watch all the Pixar films, I would declare another moment as greater than these seven.

The real point here isn’t necessarily what Pixar film or what moment in a Pixar film is necessarily greater than another other. While many may disagree on that subject, I think we can all reach a fairly general consensus that in a relatively short amount of time (Toy Story was released in ’95, so 17 years) Pixar has completely redefined the animation genre of film with incredible financial success every time and only a few critical flops (I’m looking at you, Cars 2).

This seemingly magical touch on their films seems to bring the age-old question: how do they do that? I attribute much of their success in their ability to create “real” moments that audiences find themselves completely immersed in, despite the fact that absolutely no part of what they’re existed before Pixar created it except the voice actors.

You know what these moments are, and I’m sure my list will overlap yours a little bit. So, in order from least to greatest (in my mind, at least), here are seven great Pixar moments.

7. The Incredibles

So, I wanted to find a YouTube video so you could see each of these, but this one I couldn’t find. Instead, I’ll quote the scene, and you should know where in the film it is:

Bob: Wait here and stay hidden. I’m going in.

Helen: While what, I watch helplessly from the sidelines? I don’t think so.

Bob: I’m asking you to wait with the kids!

Helen: And I’m telling you, not a chance! You’re my husband, I’m with you. “For better or worse.”

Bob: I have to do this alone.

Helen: What is this to you? Playtime?

Bob: No.

Helen: So you can be Mr. Incredible again?

Bob: No!

Helen: Then what?

Bob: I’m not… I’m not strong enough!

Helen: “Strong enough”? And this will make you stronger?!

Bob: Yes– No!

Helen: That’s what this is, some sort of workout?!

Bob: [shakes her violently] I CAN’T LOSE YOU AGAIN! [pause] I can’t. Not again. I’m not… strong enough.

Helen: [kisses him passionately] If we work together, you won’t have to be.

Bob: I don’t know what will happen.

Helen: Hey, we’re superheroes. What could happen?

You should probably know that my family has never been the greatest fans of Pixar movies…well, let me clarify that. They didn’t use to have a lot of faith in Pixar films. Usually it would take countless prying and convincing from me as though I were twisting their arm to get them to see one, after which they declare, “that was pretty good!” (Someday I’ll have to write about my family’s lack of faith in my movie taste). As far as I know, I am the only member of my family to have seen The Incredibles, and it’s a crying shame. Because while the story of a family of superheroes was incredibly (ha) marketable at a time when the superhero movie resurge was taking off (ha again), at the heart of The Incredibles is the story of a family in crisis; any family who has ever gone through any sort of emotional trauma can relate to the plight of the Barrs. What sets this moment off from the rest of the film is Bob’s near-breakdown. Most family films show the dad as either the lovable goofball or clueless stick-in-the-mud, so bravo to Pixar for encapsulating a  fear and concern that I’m sure many fathers face – losing your family because you couldn’t protect them (financially and emotionally as well as physically) – and making the father figure important and real.

6. WALL-E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsQFuesfaoI

Despite the issues people take with this movie, many seem to forget that as political as it may be, WALL-E is a love story, and of all the moments that two nearly unintelligible robots have with each other, this moment is perhaps the most cinematic and aesthetic. Remember how I said before that Pixar was really good at taking characters that had little basis in reality beyond the creators minds and making them accessible for audiences? The remarkable difference in WALL-E is that even if the characters were real, they’d be machines, and yet we still love them.

5. Up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2bk_9T482g

You knew this one had to be on here. An entire life together in less than five minutes – no dialogue, just Michael Giacchino’s unforgettable score – and nothing could be more beautiful (except for the other Up moment that, yes, I think might be better). What more do I need to say?

4. Toy Story 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4Z0657NY8M

K, I couldn’t get through watching this one at the present moment, simply due to the fact that in two days I’m a college graduate, and remembering the bittersweet pain that is growing up doesn’t bode well for me right now. I’ll admit it, I teared up a little the first time I saw this, as I thought about where all of my toys went, desperately wanting to find my old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Again, the brilliance of Pixar is finding moments that are real and present in many people’s lives and represents them in an immediate and honest manner. I could think of no better way to send off the franchise that launched Pixar.

3. Monster’s Inc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJfXgFjsDjk

I’m beginning to see a trend here: most of these moments are about loss of some kind. Perhaps it’s just the present state of mind I’m in, but Pixar really seems to have the concept of saying goodbye under control. I think what makes this one particularly poignant is the visual of Boo completely enveloped in Sully as they hug: yep, it’s Beauty and the Beast again, though definitely a variation of it.

2. The other Up moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2bk_9T482g

I wish the video I had would go just a little longer. The reason I place this moment above the other is for one simple reason. During the entire film, we’ve followed the character of Carl, whose every action is driven by his love for Ellie, including moving his beloved house to Paradise Falls. Finally, he gets what he wants, his house is at the falls, and yet it still isn’t enough, as the adventure book remains empty…or does it? This moment may be the most emotionally complex Pixar has ever created, particularly if the video would go just a little further and show Carl’s actions after he crosses his heart: throwing all the remnants of his old life out of the house, promising Ellie to have a new adventure. Plus, once again, the Giacchino score is perfect.

And, number 1.

1. Finding Nemo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXrAYOxfI3A&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL5CDADC96FA69DCD0

Part of my reason for putting this at number one may be the fact that this was the first time Pixar ever pulled at my heartstrings (I saw Nemo before Monsters). What’s amazing about this moment is first Ellen DeGeneres’s acting. Legend has it that they used the audio from her first take of reading the script, because she was so caught up in the emotions of the dialogue that she nailed it the first time through. Second is how out of nowhere the moment seems. Up to this point, Dory has been little more than comic relief, the fool who may occasionally have moments of brilliance (“trust, it’s what friends do” “that’s a funny thing to promise”), but without a whole lot of emotional depth. Without warning, her character turns on the audience, and addresses a concept that I’m sure even those with short-term memory can appreciate:

“When I look at you, I can feel it. And I look at you and…I’m home. Please. I don’t want that to go away. I don’t want to forget.”

Neither do I, Dory. Neither do I.

-Blake