Short Review: If you ignore the lack of humor, originality or actual content, you will probably enjoy this, at least for a while.



This is content-free movie making. There is nothing at the heart of this essentially unnecessary sequel to Toy Story. It is a series of perils and little else. Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jesse along with their cadre of other old toys have been discarded for years as their owner Andy has grown up. Andy is now moving out to college and his toys have been donated to a daycare center.


The daycare center is run by a cruel teddy bear named Lotso. Lotso condemns the new arrivals to live in the toddler's room where the children play too rough and torment their toys. Woody who gets separated from the others comes to the rescue of his friends. This leads to him sneaking around, chase sequences and other visually grabbing moments. What is missing is a point. There is plenty that happens throughout the movie but very little that has any real value other than just sitting there and taking it in.

Yes, I understand I'm talking about a movie with talking toys.

Even kids movies have a point and can be told with proper, solid stories. The original Toy Story had some depth, not much, but enough. Woody faced being replaced, forgotten in his own time. The juxtaposition between the old-fashioned (Woody) and the new and improved (Buzz Lightyear) was a strong place from which to write. There were issues regarding one's purpose, friendship and judging others.


In this outing, there are fleeting moments where content could have been inserted but those moments remained empty. Instead we are given toys that shout about their desire not to be thrown out. The loud protests cover the fact that there is nothing really going on in the characters.

I can recommend this film, but not strongly. It is enjoyable, the characters are still likable and the filmmakers have some inventiveness. My recommendation in place, I will say that you shouldn't expect to be blown away. This is not a great movie. It's barely a good one. It is lukewarm, but in a summer of dead cold productions - lukewarm is pretty good.


Worldview:

Given that these are talking toys, the theological musings are kept to a minimum. Woody does commit himself to his duty to Andy. He knows his purpose in life and sticks to the plan, even when everything looks hopeless. He is right to do so.

There are a couple of interesting moments beyond Woody's denial of his self-interest. The display of Ken, I found to be interesting. Ken, Barbie's accessory, is shown to be a sissy-boy who likes clothes, fancy things and ascots. He is not a man's man. This fact is routinely exploited for laughs. In our politically correct society, this mockery is not common, and in my book - very welcome. They actually make an appropriate cross-dressing joke (that sounds worse than it is). This is a good thing. Anything that reinforces the fact of gender roles in our debased society is a good thing.


The other item I noted is the overall anti-authoritarian slant of the storyline. The daycare is lorded over by Lotso, a thuggish teddy bear. The toys fight to escape his clutches. The toys loathe being controlled and long to live free to be themselves, to fulfill their passion to be useful (i.e. be played with). This is a nice message supporting the idea that we have a point in life beyond being tools for the State. We have a purpose and are happiest when we spend our existence exploring that reason for being.

One final note in this section, the Lotso character plays differently today than he would have just three years ago. After the Bush-era, it is odd to have an authoritarian figure on screen without some clunky reference to Bush/Cheny. I found myself waiting for that political boot to drop - it never did. My flinching, waiting to be hit with an agenda, reminded me of how ingrained the politics of filmmakers have gotten into their works. Maybe since a liberal is in office, perhaps we can finally relax and enjoy entertainers getting back to entertaining, at least until election season kicks in again.

Cautions:

This is Pixar so there is no critical cautions for parents. I will say that there are a few moments of deep peril that may be a bit much for the younger and/or more sensitive kids. There is also a scary monkey - he freaked out my six-year-old.




Related Reviews:
Pixar movies
Cars (2006)
The Incredibles (2004)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Christianity Today
The Film Reel


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Labels: animated, film, Joan Cusack, Michael Keaton, movie review, Ned Beatty, Pixar, Tim Allen, Tom Hanks

Short Review: It's called Up but the plot never takes off.


It appears that Pixar’s quiver is just about empty. I’ve been praising Pixar for a long time and see them as one of the most consistent and reliable shops in business. Something that has always impressed me about Pixar’s films is how realized they all have been. From the carefully crafted scripts to the detailed visual designs, each outing up to this point has been worthy of the praise it has received. This film makes me worried that they have finally run out of ideas.

Like most other Pixar films, this movie centers on a journey. In this case, we are following Carl, an old man who straps balloons on to his house and flies away to a idyllic land in South America. He does this to fulfill the lifelong dream of his deceased wife Ellie. The set up for this works wonderfully and plays into the strengths of the story. Carl is a curmudgeon but we know he is a softy at heart. He remains in his home despite the developers and construction workers laboring literally right outside his door. Carl does his best to protect his home and by extension his memories of Ellie. This conflict works and is interesting, but it is a brief sideshow. In a moment of desperation mixed with inspiration, Carl hooks his house up to the balloons and he floats away in his house. This kills the conflict with the developer and sends the whole production down a dead end. The movie effectively ends at this point and it lingers on with no central conflict. XXX lands in South America and finds a villain that puts him in peril but the conflict is forced and illogical. It is there so Carl has something to do. Heck, the entire second half of the movie is there so Carl has something to do. There's no continual conflict from the beginning of the film to the end. This leads to a broken focus and a meandering storyline.

This is easily the weakest of all Pixar movies, including A Bug’s Life and Toy Story 2. This is a Pixar short stretched out to meet a longer running time.

The film isn't a complete loss. The visuals are pleasant to watch and there are moments that work. In particular the opening. The realtionship between Carl and Ellie is condensed into a tight review that is one of the best character summaries I've seen. It is truly moving.

I don’t recommend this film if you’re going because you trust Pixar. Its just not that good. If you’re going to entertain the kids, then this will work. It probably won’t be a huge hit with the kids but it should keep them quiet for a while.







Related Reviews:
Pixar movies
Cars (2006)
The Incredibles (2004)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Fistful of Donuts
Big Fanboy Reviews

Labels: animated, film, movie review, Pixar

Because there's so many unanswered questions from the first two.




Screenwriter: Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine)
Director: Lee Unkrich (Finding Nemo)
Actors: Tom Hanks (The Da Vinci Code), Tim Allen (Redbelt), Michael Keaton (White Noise), Don Rickles (Dirty Work) and John Ratzenberger (Cars)

Labels: animated, Don Rickles, film, John Ratzenberger, Michael Keaton, movie trailer, Pixar, Tim Allen, Tom Hanks

Screenwriters: Bob Peterson (Finding Nemo)
Director: Peter Docter (Monsters, Inc.) and Bob Peterson
Actors: Christopher Plummer (Syriana), John Ratzenberger (Cars) and Edward Asner (JFK)

Labels: animated, Christopher Plummer, film, movie trailer, Pixar

Short Review: In a time when most family films are little more than subversive, strobe lights with soundtracks I have only one thing to say. Thank God for Pixar.


Living up to the pedigree of Pixar Animation is not an easy task. Pixar may be the only consistent and wholly trusted name in Hollywood these days. Each production from Monsters, Inc. to WALL-E is a high quality, and most importantly safe choice, for parents. Each of their outings has been a richly layered, intelligent gem. Nine major releases under their belt and only one (A Bug's Life) was less than stellar. Cars is another feather in their cap.

Like the other Pixar films, this is a character driven, morality tale about self-awareness and improvement. Rookie race car Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) is at the top of his game and hopes to win the coveted Piston Cup. On his way to California to the big race he is stranded in the nowhere town of Radiator Springs. Lightning McQueen gets into a spot of trouble in Radiator Springs and is sentenced by the town judge/doctor Doc Hudson (Paul Newman) to repave the main road in town (it makes sense in the film.) During his forced stay in the ghost town, McQueen must content with the town citizens including the buck-toothed tow truck Mater (Dan “Larry The Cable Guy” Whitney) and the sleek town attorney Sally (Bonnie Hunt.) The plot unfolds without many surprises but still satisfies thanks to well-rounded characters and some clever writing.

Comparing the content of this film is to what is found in other kids movies shows a stark difference. This film is a welcome break from the breakfast commercial pacing and rectum oriented jokes that are usually pushed at our kids. The opening of Cars involves a drawn out car race and there is plenty of lights, sound and flash. This hyper-paced, dazzling display has its purpose when contrasted with the remainder of the film. Other than the opening and closing race, the flash and kinetic pace slows to allow for an actual story to take place.

The standout of the film is Dan Whitney, a.k.a. Larry The Cable Guy as Mater. He is the obvious and best pick to play a small town redneck. He handles this role with a comfortable delivery and is the highlight in his scenes. Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt and Michael Keaton also provide good performances. Then again, it is difficult imagining any actor messing this up. This isn't exactly Shakespeare. Despite characters shallow characters, they wind up being an inviting lot. Even the auxiliary members of the cast, while being stereotypes maintain a sense of fun. Having George Carlin portraying a burnt out hippie 60’s Volkswagen Van that wants to sell “natural blend” gas is going to have good results. Place him next door to a rough n’ ready military Jeep named Sarge and the jokes write themselves.

This film isn’t an unbelievable success like The Incredibles nor as touching as Finding Nemo. However, this is a fine piece in its own right if you're not expecting the world. It lingers in the second act and the jokes aren’t as spry as they are in Monsters, Inc. but it still entertains. The film relies heavily on puns and quick visual jokes for its humor. An example of this is the villainous race car Chick Hicks (Michael Keaton) has HTB sponsor stickers on his body. If one looks closely, HTB stands for Hostile Takeover Bank. It’s not hilarious but it’s a darn clever film and your kids will love it.

My five-year old son summed up the film well when he said the following:

“This movie’s too long, but we still gotta sit and keep watching it, it’s the best movie of all time.”


Related Reviews:
Other Pixar Films
The Incredibles (2004)
Finding Nemo (2003)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Celluloid Heroes
Dark Matters

Labels: animated, Bonnie Hunt, film, Larry the Cable Guy, movie review, Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Pixar

To be honest, I had mixed feelings about this film. I wasn't as impressed with it as everyone else around appeared to be. This is a good movie. It has a solid script, interesting visuals and it is fun. I thought it was missing an emotional center however. Now, having expressed this concern to others I have found that I am absolutely alone in my criticism. Those around me find this to be an emotionally satisfying love story and a dang good family movie.

Given the overwhelming response from friends and family, I have to admit that it is likely I just didn't click with this one and have missed something.

The film follows WALL-E, a trash compacting robot who has been left on Earth to clean up the trash humans have left behind. He comes across Eve, a sleek robot sent to scout out the planet for plant life. The two robots fall in love. Finding a piece of greenery leave the planet and to deliver the plant to the humans drifting aimlessly out in space. Humans, after being sedentary for generations slurping down Big Gulps and watching TV have become physically gelatinous and mentally disabled. A car and mouse plot erupts as the robots enter the ship between them, the ship's captain and the ship's robotic wheel - it makes sense when you see it.

The plot is good, even with the change in scope half way through. I just didn't connect with a couple of beeping robots. Not being able to get into their, what I considered to be contrived, love story made it hard to really get behind the rest of the tale. Again, it has been made vividly clear to me that I am alone on this take on the movie.

What I did like was the commentary on our disposable culture and the wasteful fashion most of us twiddle away our lives consuming and watching screens. The social commentary of the movie is dead-on and very funny.

While I am a big enough jerk to stand against popular opinion in most cases and call a spade a spade, in this instance I am going recommend this movie not based on my own reaction but on the reactions of others. I have two reasons to do this. First, this is Pixar and they simply just do not make bad movies. Given their catalog, I have to assume I'm the odd one out. Second, everyone I know would chase after me with pitchforks and torches if I went against them on this one.

What can I say, I'm a big wuss at heart.


Related Reviews:
Pixar Movies
The Incredibles (2004)
Finding Nemo (2003)


Other Critic's Reviews:
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Labels: animated, film, movie review, Pixar

Screenwriters: Bob Peterson (Finding Nemo)
Director: Peter Docter (Monsters, Inc.) and Bob Peterson
Actors: Christopher Plummer (Syriana), John Ratzenberger (Cars) and Edward Asner (JFK)

Labels: animated, Christopher Plummer, film, movie trailer, Pixar

Labels: animated, Billy Crystal, comedy, film, John Goodman, Pixar

Short Review: One of the cleverest films in years. A must see if you have kids.



I loved it. My son loved it. Even my long-suffering wife loved it.

Pixar is making the best movies out there right now. This is sad but true. I wish we didn’t have cartoons beating out live-action pieces, but I have to come to that conclusion. It is stunning when one looks at this film along with the structurally perfect Finding Nemo and Monster’s Inc. and the charming Ratatouille and Cars, in comparison to what the other production companies have been submitting for public consumption. The bulk of Hollywood is being beaten a fat superhero a talking fish.

Disney, who has become the funny uncle of the American cultural family over the past few decades, has their fingers in this pie. Luckily, Pixar was been able to keep the creeping immorality of Disney out of their work. The agendized goons at Disney have turn Wonderland into Sodom and Gomorrah while Pixar has kept their eyes on what truly matters – the family and the stories they want.

It’s just wonderful to see family fare that is actually family friendly. In a time when Robin Williams and Mike Myers doing butt and erection jokes is fair game in kid’s movies, a film such as this is a relief.

The best recommendation I can give to this movie is that when it was done I actually hoped that they had plans for a sequel.


Related Reviews:
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The Polar Express (2005)
Cars (2006)
Finding Nemo (2003)


Other Critic's Reviews:
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Labels: animated, Holly Hunter, Pixar, Samuel L Jackson

Pixar has released a number of vignettes for their new film WALL-E. I've posted most of them below.

I'll be taking my children to the film, but I'm not expecting I will find it as enjoyable as their other releases. It all seems a bit too cute for my tastes. Check out the vignettes below.

Labels: animated, Fred Willard, JohnRatzenberger, movie trailer, Pixar, Sigourney Weaver

Pixar and Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo) are back with this animated feature about a robot named WALL·E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) who travels across the universe following a female robot named EVE. Doesn't sound like much? Well, its a better set up than a cooking rat and look how good that flick ended up. Any new work is great news for all of us who love Pixar's work.

Labels: animated, Fred Willard, Pixar

More subdued than the other Pixar efforts, this film comes across as casual and a little dull in spots. Don’t take this the wrong way, this is a fine film and well worth the effort of seeing. The piece does suffer a bit from the fact that its main focus is cooking – which isn’t usually a visual experience. One can only watch animated people taste and smell things for so long.

This movie is superior to most of the “family movies” out there since it doesn’t devolve into a strong of rectal jokes and barely hidden sex references for the adults. By the way, when did it begin that that nearly all kid’s movies needed to have “jokes for the adults” inserted into the production? Is the kid’s movie too much for the adults to take without hearing some snickering reference to our genitals or sex? I thought it was the kids who were supposed to have the short attention spans?

Back to the movie, it is well done but far from being a brilliant piece. The performances are good, with the only standout being Patton Oswalt as Remy, a rat who knows how to cook and helps a hapless young man learn the craft. This is a Pixar production so the piece is family friendly and supports good values.

Go to the film, it is timid but it is fun.


Worldview: It seems a little odd talking about worldview when the film’s main characters are talking rats. That said, every film does contain a central point of view. This film is inoffensive across the board which is something you can expect from a Pixar movie.

The piece supports the notion of individuals having a purpose in their lives. This naturally and unconsciously promotes a deity since that purpose has to come from somewhere. Moreover, the film constantly works over the notion behind Commandment #8 “Thou shalt not steal” Exodus 20:15. They don’t refer directly to God’s word but the rats are inherent thieves. Remy’s life is only transformed after he and his cohorts learn to stop stealing.

In addition the film strongly promotes honesty and giving credit where it’s due.


Production Notes: Pixar is one of the great organizations working in Hollywood today. Their products are the most consistently uplifting, family friendly and well-structured films available. It is easily safe to say that any of their films is worth seeing and able to be seen by the whole family.


Cautions: There really isn’t anything concerning with this film. The relationship between the main man and woman is handled with taste (pun intended) and the other elements are within the bounds of family fare. You can, and should, head into this film without a worry.


Other Reviews:
The Phantom Tollbooth
eFilmCritic


Pixar Movies:
A Bug's Life (1998)
The Incredibles (2004)
Cars (2006)

Labels: animated, Brad Bird, comedy, film, movie review, Patton Oswalt, Pixar