Here we go! No one asked for it, but here’s Part 2! I will have different categories to help me decide – Best Character, Best Villain, and Best Story. I will also throw out my favorite side characters, quotes, and songs. Let me know if anyone wants to hear my thoughts on Disney Sequels or Dreamworks (personal favorite studio).
Movie 13: Monster’s University 2013 – Not to age myself, but this came out the summer before my Freshman year of college and it felt very appropriate. Baby Mike Wazowski. The little monsters are on a fieldtrip to the Scare Floor and Mike becomes inspired to be a Scarer. The running gag with the campus ID picture lol. His roommate is Randall and I seriously love this scene. I just love Randall. The slug being late to class comes back in the end credit scene so stick around for that. A113 Easter egg! Ah yes the trope of the hardworking, struggling student and the lazy, showoff legacy. Ah yes the trope of wild Greek parties. Mike versus Sully scaring montage leading up to the final exam. While goofing off, they break the Dean’s trophy. Mike and Sully are kicked out of the Scaring Program. Mike submits the reject Fraternity, Oozma Kappa, into the Scare Games and makes a wager with the Dean. Mike and Sully are initiated and forced to room together. First challenge is to avoid the urchins. Mike and Sully are competing against each other instead of working as a team. “I have an extra toe. Not with me of course.” Second challenge is being quiet in the library. Squishy is a ninja. “We’re OK”. Sully club dancing is iconic. Always hiring in the mailroom foreshadowing. “Have fun kids. I’ll just be here listening to my tunes.” Third challenge is don’t scare the teen and Oozma Kappa got second place. Forth challenge is hide and seek and they get second place again. Mike and Sully finally got the roomie routine down, and are feeling confident. Sully doubts Mike’s ability to scare in the final challenge. The other team members are stepping up, but Sully cheats in the end. lol Sully versus Randall – should have seen that coming. Mike is obviously upset when he found out Sully didn’t believe in him and breaks into a kid’s door to test himself. Mike and Sully have a deep conversation were they admit everything they did to prove that they weren’t failures – that they were special. Whoa talk about a record breaking scream. “Always watching” I like the unexpected ending – Mike and Sully got expelled, but the other guys got into the Scaring Program. Abominable snowman cameo. Is there a message about skipping college and just working from the bottom up at the end?
Favorite character: Squishy and his mom lol
Honorable mentions:
Overall thoughts: Not as great as I remember. I feel like the plot was stereotypical and lacking depth. It’s focused on teamwork and overcoming challenges. The main characters are selfish and overconfident and have to learn some humility. The side characters have given up on their dreams and end up having to discover their talents and believe in themselves again.
Movie 14: Inside Out 2015 – I loved this movie at the time, but haven’t seen it recently because I suppress emotions in my life. Wait was this movie made for me?? Just going to do a voice actor appreciation post now. They all earned it. The concept for this movie still blows my mind. Genius. Inciting incident is the family moves to the city when Riley is 11 and she has to deal with her emotions. “Congratulations San Francisco, you’ve ruined pizza.” I don’t have the emotional intelligence to analyze this movie. It’s too deep for me lol. While at school, Riley has a sad core memory. Joy tries to force Riley to be happy , but ends up getting the core memories sent to long term memory. Riley basically lost her personality and happiness in one moment. Mom’s main emotion is sadness and Dad’s main emotion is anger. I love the implications of that. haha the Brazilian pilot?? What even. “Sir, reporting high levels of sass.” “I’m positive you can get lost in there.” Joy and Sadness buddy drama we all want. BING BONG. “I would *die* for Riley.” When Bing Bong lost his rocket, Sadness was able to support him in a way Joy couldn’t. Without Joy at headquarters, the other emotions make the decision to run away. “We’ll excite her awake” Yeah, that’s not a thing. Joy leaves Sadness behind, because Riley needs to be happy. Joy, Bing Bong, and the Core memories fall into the pit. Annnnd now I’m crying. Joy realizes Sadness needs to be the one to go back to headquarters. “We can’t make Riley feel anything.” UGH it’s so deep. and then it cuts to imaginary boyfriends lol. “I am positive this is crazy.” Riley goes back home and has a good cry with her parents. Joy and Sadness create the first mixed emotions Core memory. Ah yes, a big red button for Puberty. The “Girl” alarm in the boy lol. The teacher’s brain and the Brazilian pilot lol.
Favorite character: 100% Sadness
Honorable mentions: Love the original script on this one
Overall thoughts: Can a Pixar movie be too deep? Like I like it, but it’s heavy. What do kids think when they watch this?? The concept was groundbreaking and lead the way for other similar movies like Soul.
Movie 15: Good Dinosaur 2015 – This is the first Pixar movie I have NOT SEEN yet. I have no idea about what happens in this movie, but I like dinosaurs. Ummm starts off with a dinosaur gardening?? Baby dinos are cute. Arlo is shy, scared, and sweet. Do the parents die? Now I’m waiting for the parents to die. Arlo is struggling to earn his mark compared to his siblings. His parents are helping as best they can. Attempting to catch the food thief, Arlo meets a human. Father and son go out to catch the human and it’s all very Lion King. Called it. Oh falls in river foreshadowing. Forced to make his way home, Arlo struggles to overcome his fears. lol human is cute when he decapitates beetles. I thought Triceratops was an Ent. Wait did they get high? Is this a kids movie?? Spot’s parents died and now I’m sad. Are the evil birds in a cult? He finds a helpful family of T-rex and helps them find their herd. I’m not cheating but gonna guess Sam Elliot voices Papa T-rex lol. Arlo finds his way home and I’m waiting for the bad news. Spot’s family is alive? Not the plot twist I was expecting. WTH Arlo is now kidnapping?? Spot gets taken by the cult birds and Arlo is reunited with his dad, but I’m sus. Ghost dino? Arlo goes back for Spot. Oh no the PTSD. This poor dinosaur. Stupid Pixar movie making me cry. Credits: CALLED IT lol
Favorite character: Spot of course
Honorable mentions: The Tric with the birds is the best quick cameo character
Overall thoughts: It was okay. Very coming of age, quest cliche movie. The end did pleasantly surprise me. It’s good for a watch, but not overly memorable.
Movie 16: Finding Dory 2016 – I’m watching this movie after visiting the Monterey Bay aquarium and meeting Hank in person. Excited for this rewatch! BABY DORY IS MY FAVORITE. I like the receding hairline on Dory’s dad. “I suffer from short-term remembory loss” OMG SO CUTE. “Klaus, the piñata is drooping.” Where does she even get this stuff? They almost missed the field trip, even though they woke up early? Dory gets memories of her family back. Morro Bay, California sounds familiar lol. Crush and Squirt are back! I was very disappointed Sigourney Weaver wasn’t actually a voice at the aquarium IRL. Enter Hank! hahaha forgot about Gerald. Destiny and Bailey whale time. Also very disappointed there were no whales in the aquarium IRL. There are so many new characters in this movie. And now we have to deal with Becky. Could do with less Gerald and Becky. Otter cuddle party! lol why are touch pools a thing and why is this scene so horrifying? I highly doubt the tank Nemo and Marlin are stuck in is saltwater. Dory makes it home, but her parents aren’t there. She heads back to quarantine to find them. “Don’t bail on me, Bailey.” Mop bucket in quarantine is definitely not salt water. Dory ends up back in the ocean, but Marlin and Nemo are stuck on a truck. Ugh the shells break my heart. Those poor parents. “It’s your destiny, Destiny.” Rescue shenanigans ensue. “Suck it bipeds.” lol end credit scene is dark.
Favorite character: Hank. He’s a grumpy ninja octopus but secretly a sweetheart.
Honorable mentions: Does Baby Dory count? lol Also shout out to the animation which I’m obsessed with
Overall thoughts: Nothing can compare to Finding Nemo, but this was a good second. It had the same action and adventure as the first one. It had a good supporting ensemble. The main difference between the two is the theme. First movie was all about Marlin letting go of Nemo and trusting his son. This movie was about Dory finding her family and trusting herself. Even though she has her memory issues, she can still figure things out for herself. I guess that is a good morale, but I think the first one is more heartfelt.
Movie 17: Cars 3 2017 – I don’t think I’ve seen this one before so should be interesting. I love Owen Wilson. I miss Doc…He was such a good character. hahaha these opening races and competition are great. ohh new tension with the rookie. Dang my favorite character is retiring in the beginning of the movie? Wow harsh race. McQueen is seeing parallels with Doc’s life, but decides to keep fighting. He got a new sponsor and I know that voice. It’s gonna bug me. OMG it’s Nathan Fillion. Of course it is. Can we get an age check? Like how much older is he? What’s the life expectancy of a race car? This training scene is ridiculous and I kinda love it. The simulation hahaha. A113 reference! Ohh all or nothing deal on his career. Risky. The trainer has become the trainee. Redneck dirt racing demolition derby. “Dream small or not at all” Wait Doc’s trainer is still alive? Guys I can’t. I love this movie so much. I’m already crying with the feel good tears. lol McQueen has to learn to Draft. Training montage with the old guys. McQueen starts to realize he can’t do it. I feel like Cruz is gonna take his place. New sponsor is a dick. I love this race. End credit scene was dumb. Don’t bother sticking around to watch it.
Favorite character: McQueen (as much as I don’t normally go for main characters)
Honorable mentions: Cal is my favorite character
Overall thoughts: I LOVED THIS MOVIE. It was so feel good. It was about perseverance and confidence, but also knowing your limits and accepting change. McQueen set back from his passion so he could give it to someone else. Then he followed Doc’s example to become a great crew chief.
Movie 18: Coco 2017 – I watch Coco once a year and I am obsessed with it. First off, how can you hate music? Oh my gosh! Miguel plays guitar. What a rebel. “He was crushed by a giant bell. I want to be just like him.” Nothing like generational trauma to bring a family together. Ya’ll, destroying a person’s most treasured possession never works out. Miguel breaks into his great, great grandfather’s tomb for a guitar so he can “seize your moment”. He gets transported to the spirit world because he stole from the dead on a sacred holiday. His family wants him to make a deal to return him to the world of the living if he gives up music. Miguel runs away and teams up with Hector. Hector agrees to help him meet De la Cruz if Miguel puts up Hectors picture. They decide to borrow a guitar and compete for a ticket into De la Cruz’s party. We get to see what happens when someone is forgotten. Hector gives a pep talk before Miguel goes on stage and sings for the first time. Hector found out Miguel has other family and got upset. Miguel finds out Mama Imelda loves music too. Miguel sneaks into the party and meets De la Cruz. Hector confronts De la Cruz, but De la Cruz has to trap them so his secret doesn’t get out. lol Ernesto killed Hector and then wrote a movie about it?? Hector and Miguel bond. Spoilers are revealed. Family team up to save the day!
Favorite character: Miguel
Honorable mentions: The animation, the soundtrack, the script. Everything was perfect
Overall thoughts: I feel like most of the Disney/Pixar movies are children rebelling against their parents and traditions. I loved that this one (while still technically disobeying) ended with the family coming together and being more fulfilled. Miguel wanted to be like his Great Grandpa and fix the miscommunication (murder) that caused trauma for the older generations. Also let your freaking kid learn music. .
Movie 19: Incredibles 2 2018 – I don’t think I’ve seen this since it was in theaters. We pick up where we left off from the first movie. Poor Tony and Violet – forbidden love. “I’m very secure manhood wise.” Underminer battle was good, but not waited 10 years good lol. Didn’t they save the city from Syndrome like recently? Why is Underminer a political problem? The family dinners are my favorite. Bob and Helen get approached by a rich businessman (named Win?) who wants to fund their superhero adventures. Because that went so well last time lol. Tragic backstory for our new characters. hmm body cameras for the heroes to help with public perspective. More debate about responsibility and duty within the family. Mr. Incredible wants to be a hero to protect his family. He has to let go and support his wife while she does the hero duty. He has to take over the childcare. “To help my family, I gotta leave it. To fix the law, I gotta break it.” I LOVE THIS HOUSE. The math scene has been my favorite since the trailer came out. “Math is math!” Ya’ll Elastigirl totally has the best moves. THE RACCOON SCENE IS ICONIC. Wait they didn’t know Jack-Jack had powers? Didn’t they see it before?? Poor Violet. Screenslaver villian introduced. My love for this family. New super team! Voyd, Screech, Brick, Reflux “medically condition or superpower, you decide.” Elastigirl and Evelyn girl bonding conversation is great. THE SPIT TAKE THROUGH THE NOSE. Dying. I’m trying to remember Screenslaver’s plan, so far he’s just helping Elastigirl increase public perception. lol that was so obviously a set up. AUNTIE EDNA! Elastigirl is in trouble and Screenslaver want’s to make superheroes illegal forever. lol pew pew. The contrast between the serious scenes with Elastigirl and the humor of Bob with the kids is jolting. Oops bad guys at the house. lol all the adults got mind controlled. Violet and Dash are in charge to save the day. Jack-Jack saves Elastigirl with his super baby powers. THE GROWTH AT THE END. A113 easter egg.
Favorite character: Jack-Jack
Honorable mentions: Elastigirl, Violet, Mr. Incredible, Dash, literally everyone.
Overall thoughts: Incredibles is always just a personal favorite. I don’t think they’re high quality movies, but they are enjoyable and fun. It’s one of the few with a family ensemble that shows a healthy (and realistic) dynamic between everyone.
Movie ??: Toy Story 3 2010 – I think my subconscious knows I don’t enjoy the Toy Story movies, because in my Part 1 review I went from Up to Cars 2. I completely skipped Toy Story 3! Anyway, here we go. Open with Wild West rescue mission, and this is the best way to reintroduce the characters lol. Adult Andy won’t play with his toys and I’m already sad. In typical shenanigan’s, the toys end up in the trash. In more shenanigan’s, the toys end up at daycare. WOW Bonnie shows up early! I don’t remember much about this movie, but I remember Lotso. Barbie meeting Ken “Nice ascot”. The group stays at daycare and Woody leaves to go back to Andy. Bonnie finds him hanging from a tree instead. Buzz realizes they got stuck in the toddler room. Timothy Dalton and Kristen Schaal appearance. Buzz stumbles across the inner circle meeting in the vending machine. Is this a full torture scene? Dang Lotso. Woody ends up having a good time playing with Bonnie. IS THAT A TORTORO?! Reprogrammed Buzz takes down the gang for Lotso. “I’m immune to your bewitching good looks.” I love Buzz and Jessie together. Woody gets the Lotso backstory from Bonnie’s toys. The one way out is the trash? Why not in kids’ backpacks? Omg this escape plan is insane. They get caught and end up at the dump. Not the furnace part. I’m not ready for this…UGH yep, they’re holding hands and I’m crying. CLAW EX MACHINE WTF. Andy’s dropping the toys off with Bonnie and I’m full on SOBBING…The credits are delightful. No post scene?
Favorite character: It’s hard to pick a favorite when there’s such a good ensemble
Honorable mentions: I like Buzz and Jessie. Spanish Buzz even more. Also partial to Ken and Barbie
Overall thoughts: This movie came out when I was in high school and did I feel like the target audience. It’s heavy, but still has amazing writing. It’s a coming of age story, but in a new way. Andy has to realize he has to let go of his toys and pass them along so another child can share the same good memories that he had.
Movie 20: Toy Story 4 2019 – I’ve been putting this off for 4 years, but here we go. We start with a flashback to Andy’s room and the toys up to their usual shenanigan’s. Molly got rid of Bo Peep?! DANG THIS IS STARTING OUT ROUGH. Opening cuts forward to the transition from Andy to Bonnie. I lowkey hate it. LOL she made Jessie the sheriff instead of Woody. Wait we need to pause for a second. I watch with closed captions and we have “Chairol Burnette”, “Carl Reineroceros”, and “Melephant Brooks”. These writers continue to be my favorite. Woody stows away to no one’s surprise. And enter Forky the spork. “Oh chutes and ladders.” haha. RV roadtrip before Kindergarten officially starts, and Forky is trying to get thrown away because he’s made of trash. I’m not going to think too hard about that metaphor. Oh now we’re getting philosophical about purpose, because Forky is not a toy and Woody’s jealous of the attention. Side quest to the antique store to find Bo and it’s sus. “I’m trash” same bro. Gabby’s voice box is broken so now she’s gonna steal Woody’s. Woody escapes, but Forky gets caught. Buzz’s “inner voice” is hilarious. Bo Reunion. Wait do I love Bo?! Ummm Ducky and Bunny planning on ambushing Antique Grandma is insane lol. Enter Duke Caboom. This rescue mission is chaos. Poor Gabby…Stupid Toy Story movie making me cry. Credit scene – the carnival toys cheating the system and helping toys get to kids. Get a taste of Bonnie in first grade and Forky’s love interest. In memory of Don Rickles ❤ and dedicated to Adam Burke. lol if you stay until the very end Duke high fives the sad Combat Carl toy.
Favorite character: 100% lost toy Bo Peep. We love an independent queen.
Honorable mentions: I liked Gabby as antagonist. Not the typical villain, but she’s willing to do whatever it takes to get a kid and find her own happiness – even if her methods are a little questionable.
Overall thoughts: Is the overall moral having to choose between loyalty to your kid/job/responsibility and happiness for yourself?
Movie 21: Onward 2020 – WE LOVE A FANTASY 80s D&D MOVIE! Once upon a time, there was magic, but it was challenging so people turned to science. lol sounds about right. This opening is perfection – establishes brother’s relationship, roleplay game, Mom’s inner warrior, and Mom’s new boyfriend. Ian tries to “be like dad” now that he’s 16, but he’s still struggling to be confident. Ian’s dad died before he was born, but Ian has this intense relation with the idea of him. He has saved pictures, recordings, and the college sweatshirt. Pixar moms continue to be my favorite. For his birthday, he got a special wizard staff from his dad and gave them a spell to bring him back for one day. Barley tries, but Ian is the one to get the staff working. It only works to bring back the lower half of Wilden though and shenanigan’s ensue. The boys are off to the Manticore’s Tavern, aka kid’s restaurant. Ian starts standing up to Corey and she ends up having a mental breakdown. Ian starts using the magic he’s been learning. Corey and Mom are the best team up ever. Boy take a pit stop for gas and end up getting in trouble with some pixies. Ian ends up having to drive and conquer his fears. Barley finds out Ian thinks he’s a screwup and there’s tension, but then they dance it out. Corey and Mom are on their own quest to get the sword back. Ugh I know the end, but Barley is such a good father figure. GELATINOUS CUBE. They reach a dead end in the quest, and Ian realizes Barley has been teaching and encouraging him this whole time. Barley finds the stone and releases the curse. “I am a mighty warrior”. GO QUEEN! Stupid Pixar movie making me cry. Ending scenes show Ian more confident and making friends. It also shows society embrace magic and old traditions.
Favorite character: Corey and the mom
Honorable mentions: Barley and Gelatinous cube
Overall thoughts: It’s not quite found family, but it’s about recognizing the family you have. Ian realizes he didn’t miss out on having a dad, because his brother was always there for him.
Movie 22: Soul 2020- Okay, I didn’t love this movie when it came out, but let’s give it a second chance. Open with struggling music teacher that’s really passionate about jazz. He gets an offer to be a fulltime teacher that he’s not thrilled about, then gets an offer to play a gig with a jazz band that has him racing across town. He wins the gig of his life and PLOT TWIST falls through a pothole to his death?! Joe is in denial about his sudden death and tries to avoid the Great Beyond. He ends up falling from the path, lands in the Great Before, and gets mistaken for a mentor. Love the Jerrys. Each little soul is assigned personality traits and needs to find their Spark before being sent to Earth. We meet 22, aka Tina Fey, who does not want to leave the Great Before. Joe gets a chance to look back at his life and thinks it was meaningless. Joe and 22 make a deal to find her spark so she can give the Earth pass to Joe. “Can’t crush a soul here. That’s what life on Earth is for.” Brutal. We get a new location called the Zone which is the space between physical and spiritual. We also get introduced to Moonwind and his crew of hippies that free lost souls. Joe senses his body in the hospital and jumps back too quickly pulling 22 with him. We get a fun freaky Friday body swap plotline. 22 has sensory overload in New York City until Joe gets her some pizza lol. 22 ends up starting to enjoy her time as a human. 22 RIPs HER PANTS SpongeBob bob style and now they have to go to the family shop and deal with the family. She didn’t care before, but after her trip to Earth, she understands the desire to find your purpose better. Terry brings both of them back to the Great Before with 22 now having an Earth pass. She found her spark. “A spark isn’t a soul’s purpose.” Plot ensues. There is technically a post credit scene but don’t bother waiting for it.
Favorite character: 22 and the Jerrys
Honorable mentions:
Overall thoughts: I still enjoy this movie, but it’s not an overall favorite that I will frequently return to
Movie 23: Luca 2021 – This is my third time watching this movie. I remember it being such a sweet coming of age story. Open with Merman Luca doing his shepherd chores. The underwater animation is so nostalgic of Nemo. Lol some Little Mermaid nostalgia too. Luca is curious, but cautious about the surface. Classic, loveable Pixar family with the parents and grandma. We meet Alberto and Luca gets his legs. The Vespa summer of friendship begins. “Silenzio, Bruno!” They run away to the human town and the fish out of water part begins. “Hey my friend smells amazing.” haha definitely not queer-coded. We meet the “antagonist”, Ercole, and new bestie, Giulia. “Santa Mozzarella.” Luca’s parents follow him to the human town and shenanigans ensue. Giulia’s dad takes the boys fishing and shenanigans ensue. Alberto starts getting jealous of Giulia and Luca bonding. Oof Alberto is kind of gaslighting Luca. Yikes Alberto revealing himself as a sea monster and Luca turning on him. UGH now Giulia telling Luca to leave so he can be safe. MY HEART. Time for the race! lol casually hunting children down to murder them?! Ends with sea monsters and humans living in harmony. I’m not crying – you’re crying. Yes, there is an end credit scene with the creepy uncle. You can skip it.
Favorite character: Giulia hands down.
Honorable mentions: Giulia’s dad and Luca’s grandma
Overall thoughts: Yep, still a super cute, cozy movie that I enjoy. It’s summer of friendship vibes like Goonies or Sandlot. It has the typical deeper Pixar elements of dealing with family relationships and friendships, but the main event is a triathlon. There’s no world ending event or boss battle to deal with. Just a simple sea monster coming of age.
Movie 24: Turning Red 2022 – Also probably my third time watching this movie, because it makes me so happy. Opens with “honor your parents, but don’t forget to honor yourself”. The 90s nostalgia. The ARTWORK. Mei is delightful. I am definitely a 4-townie. NOT THE ANIME FOOD. Can’t relate to the 8th grade crushes and boy bands, but I love the way they depicted it. The analogy of red panda and puberty is beautiful. I love they actually talk about periods and pads in this movie. Not the suppressing of emotions – too relatable. NO, the mortification of the mom showing up and being embarrassing also relatable. Backstory of the blessing becoming a curse and needing to be “cured”. This is such an Elsa moment. ‘Conceal, don’t feel’ does not work. The besties being supportive and accepting is the best ❤ Monetizing the panda is also relatable. The enemies to friends thing with Tyler was always a little weird for me. Ming (the mom) discovers Mei-Mei has been keeping secrets from her and goes ballistic. Mei-Mei finds out the concert is the same night as the ritual and goes ballistic. Ugh the mom yelling at the friends hurts every time. “Banish the beast within and finally become your true self” just sounds toxic. Jin (the dad) proving he is the best. Ritual and concert both start under the red moon. Shenanigans ensue. The Grandma and Aunties at the end are so sweet. Mei connects with her mom in the spirit world. “My panda my choice”. WAIT I didn’t know there was an end credit scene haha Love the dad becoming a 4-Townie.
Favorite character: The dad – what a green flag man.
Honorable mentions: The besties – Priya being the cool supernatural girl, Abby being the aggressive one, and Miriam being the semi-normal one lol. Also shout out Finneas for writing and starring in 4-Town.
Overall thoughts: I made my mom watch this to point out a cool, modern commentary on coming of age and generational trauma. She sided with the generational trauma in this case. I truly love the way they made this movie to address something that isn’t normally discussed in a normal, approachable story. It is definitely made for the girlies and focuses on mother/daughter relation. I’m curious what the guys think of this movie.
Movie 25: Lightyear 2022 – First time watching so you get my initial thoughts “live” lol. Huh IMDB check confirms small cast, but some interesting picks. Patrick Warburton is my nostalgic Buzz. Wait I hate that I like Chris Evans voice acting. This opening is hilarious. Why is the rookie wearing a *red* suit? I feel like this Buzz has a very different personality from Andy’s toy Buzz. After a year marooned, they’re so used to the vines just swiping people?! BLOWING ON THE AUTOPLOT IS SO 90s. The program to record the last words lol. Oh no…that test took 4 years?! Gay representation for the win. Emotional support robot cat? I want one. Dang this time montage is depressing. I’m not crying; You’re crying. The cat has tranquilizers?! Why do they care if Buzz leaves? Like why so angry if he’s gone for another 4 years? “Beep-Boop” The confetti lol. It’s only been 30 minutes, but feels longer. Finally getting to Zurg. Junior Patrol of rookies are already annoying me. Buzz is going to have to learn to accept help from others – even if they are idiots. “Nice job, elderly convict.” Oh, “You don’t need to save us. You need to join us” is such a good line. Was that dialup noise during the reboot? I’m trying to figure out the mission part of the plot. Hawthorne even said “He’s going to get us all home,” but she made a new life for herself. Is this home is the family and friends we made along the way, and not the location message? Also a repeated lesson of it’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them. Is there really 3 messages in this movie? HOLY PLOT TWIST BATMAN! I did NOT see that coming. The whole being a Hawthorne thing and living up to your family expectations is a lot too. Ohhh the crystal is time travel. I said in the beginning why don’t they just teleport to the Zurg ship. It would have saved them so much time and effort. RIP Evil Sox. Annnd now making Izzy face her fears. THE WINGS. The rookies growing up is so dumb, and weirdly satisfying. “I got off for good behavior, not good attitude.” Mid credit scene was decent. End credit scene is not worth staying for.
Favorite character: Sox
Honorable mentions: Elderly convict, Darby
Overall thoughts: I’m kind of divided on how I feel. I truly LOVED the beginning. 30 minute mark when Buzz achieves hyperspace and Zurg invades, it got a little too much for me. There was a lot going on and none of it really held my attention. Acting, sound effects (or actors doing their own sound “pew pew”), and humor were enjoyable. Some of the running jokes were dumb – like the pen. Finally, I do not think this is a movie that a young 90s boy (Andy) would have obsessed over.
Movie 26: Elemental 2023 – Saw this one in theaters and loved the romance of it all – also great immigrant story. Opens with the parents arriving in the new city. Major Zootopia vibes. Ooff Naming Bernie and Cider is so racist and true. No one will sell/rent to them because they’re fire – racist. Bernie hates Water because he’s racist…and Water kills them. I love Ember and relate to her oldest daughter, daddy’s girl personality. Ember’s customer service temper is also relatable lol. I love the glass blowing so much. “Elements don’t mix.” Bernie is getting old and Ember is anxious about being ready to take over. She looses her temper and breaks the water pipes. Enter lovable, crybaby Wade who has to write tickets that may shut down the store. Wade agrees to help Ember plead her case. At the game, Ember notices how Wade was able to cheer up Lutz and draw people in. The new plan is to find the city leak and fix it to stop the water going into Firetown and saving the shop. Wade starts noticing Ember’s ingenuity and passion. haha aww they’re dating. “I’ve never been punched in the face by beauty before.” Ember meets Wade’s family and it’s awkward and adorable. Ember finally admits she doesn’t want to run the shop. She wants to follow her dream, not her fathers, but she can’t consider her dreams a real option. “The only way to repay a sacrifice so big is by sacrificing your life too.” Wade takes her on the dream date to see the flower. “Why does anyone get to tell you what you can do in your life?” They finally touch aww. Animation and soundtrack shoutout. “Some people are worth melting for” – wait wrong movie. Ember think the shop was his life, when it was her the whole time. And yep, I’m crying. What a kiss! Not the bow making me cry harder. No mid or end credits, but worth staying for the artwork and the dedication at the end.
Favorite character: I’m definitely an Ember, and I love Wade lol
Honorable mentions: Not a ton of side characters besides the family and the coworkers. Cider was pretty cool.
Overall thoughts: The way they portrayed the immigrant experience and the pressures first generation children have was fantastic. Watch the behind the scenes, making of documentary on this movie (and all the others) if you haven’t yet because Peter Sohn did the whole movie as a love letter to his parents.
Ugh I hate this part. The answer is “All of the above”. It’s hard to pick out stuff in the “Best” category because it’s mostly ensemble casts without a typical Disney villain. That’s the cool part with Pixar movies that separates it from the Disney Princess stories.
Best Lead(s): Lots of young heroes coming of age – Miguel, Mei, Ian, Luca – that I truly enjoy, but couldn’t pick a standout favorite. For Part 1 I said the Incredibles, for Part 2 I might say Onward for the same reasons. I may be personally biased on this one, but I mean come on – it’s D&D. This was one of the the overall best ensemble between Ian and Barely, Mom and Minotaur, even the stepdad centaur. There was not a unlikeable or underdeveloped character in that movie. Heck, even that dad had a TON of personality and no speaking lines.
Best Villain: Depression and Generational Trauma. Half kidding lol. The kaiji red panda was pretty cool as a villain. Stereotypical villain would be Screenslaver. WAIT REAL ANSWER: Lotso and Ercole. The main murders in these movies. Lotso had a tragic backstory, but literally used his position as tyrant to assign toys to worse rooms. He was sadistic and negative towards a toys purpose. Ercole, on the other hand, is just a jerk. Stereotypical teenage bully. He’s egotistical, physical, and greedy.
Best Story: Inside Out. Honestly what a game changer. This was revolutionary when it came out. I don’t think I even need to justify myself further.
Favorite Songs: Coco and Turning Red are the obvious musical choices, but the instrumental bits cannot be ignored! Steal the Show from Elemental is such a vibe. Michael Giacchino doing the Lightyear soundtrack. Obviously, the jazz music in Soul. Carried Me With You from Onward and Roar from Monsters University is one of my personal favorites.
MY OFFICIAL DISNEY PIXAR MOVIE RANKING FROM PART 1:
- Finding Nemo
- Cars
- Incredibles
- Wall-e
- Monster’s Inc.
- Brave
- Toy Story 1
- Ratatouille
- Toy Story 2
- Bug’s Life
- Up
- Cars 2
AND THE MOMENT YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR
MY OFFICIAL DISNEY PIXAR MOVIE RANKING FROM PART 2:
- Coco
- Inside Out
- Elemental
- Turning Red
- Onward
- Luca
- Cars 3
- Incredibles 2
- Monster’s University
- Toy Story 3
- Soul
- Finding Dory
- Toy Story 4
- Good Dinosaur
- Lightyear
Taralyn's TMI 