Summary
Within the world of movies, the animation sector has two dominant giants leading the way, with Studio Ghibli being one. However,Pixar, the Disney animation studio, takes the other spot, leading the charge in the West, delivering forward-thinking, joyous, and emotionally charged movies that are among Disney’s greatest releases. With over 29 Pixar movies released since 1995, the studio, famed for franchises such asToy Story,The Incredibles, andUp,has continued to excel in the 2020s, bringing forth fresh ideas and concepts that remain relevant to this day.
In the pantheon of Pixar movies, some of the studio’s productions, although good, flew under the radar for many audiences, withPixar having several underrated films within its impeccable and revered catalog.
One of Pixar’s most recent releases,Elemental, presents an energetic world where a society is made up of elements, with Elemental City serving as the setting for this grand adventure.Elementalindulges itself in romance,as its protagonist, Ember Lumen, a fire element whose upbringing and culture lead her to believe elements are unable to mix, comes across Wade Ripple, a goofy water element who opens her eyes to their multifaceted world, with romance being heavily in the cards.
Elementalis one of Pixar’s best stories involving romance. The chemistry between Ember and Wade in an elemental world proves to be a success, delivering a sweet, lighthearted watch.
The Tom Holland and Chris Pratt-led movieOnwardcertainly went under the radarfor many, as its release coincided with the pandemic, which clouded the film from view for many audiences, despite its emotionally charged story.Onward’snarrative follows the adventures of Ian and Barley Lightfoot, two elf brothers who seek a mysterious artifact said to have the power to revive their deceased father for 24 hours, in the hopes of finally getting cherished memories to look back on while simultaneously giving them closure.
Placing family dynamics at the crux of its narrative,Onwardthrives through the touching dynamic between the brothers, who grow their bond considerably throughout the film, with its excellent fantasy worldbuilding only adding to the journey.
Following up on the Pixar classicMonsters Inc.,Monsters Universityarrived a decade later, continuing the story of Monsters universe and its iconic characters, Sully and Mike Wazowski. The only prequel in Pixar’s catalog focuses on Mike and Sully’s time at Monsters University, a prestigious college that helps studentsbecome full-fledged terrifying monsters. However, its central premise involves the initial rivalry between the pair and their gradual beginnings as friends.
Hailing from contrasting backgrounds, Mike and Sully’s relationship is the crux ofMonsters University,as the duo’s developing bond comes to fruition during the Scare Games, providing the perfect platform for them to showcase their prowess through exceptional teamwork. The development of their friendship and the emotional weight that emerges in the story make it a quality prequel that enhances theMonsters Inc.universe, solidifying Mike and Sully as legendary characters within Disney’s array of icons.
Emerging in the early 2010s,Bravewas the first Pixar movie to feature a female protagonist, with Merida, a princess of medieval Scotland, taking center stage in this underrated flick. Merida isa kindhearted and headstrong princesswho causes an uproar when she rejects a marriage proposal in favor of her autonomy. As a result, her mother is transformed into a bear through an ancient curse inflicted by a peculiar witch, prompting Merida to embark on an adventure to undo the spell and save her mother, with whom she shares a complicated relationship.
In a world rigid with its expectations and societal roles,Brave’sfierce protagonist emerges as one of Disney’s most iconic princesses in a movie that features a mother-daughter relationship marked by growth and eventual understanding.
Another modern Pixar movie that is less heralded than others isLuca, a coming-of-age story featuring a sea monster capable of transforming into a human when on land.Luca’stitular character, Luca, is a sea monster who befriends Alberto, a fellow sea monster who can transform into human form. Despite warnings from their parents, the pair heads to the Italian city of Portorosso in hopes of winning a Vespa to travel the world. Meanwhile, their adventures see them befriend Giulia, a girl who develops a special bond with Luca.
Earning its place as one ofDisney’s strongest coming-of-age stories,Luca’sexploration of identity, acceptance, and youthful exuberance proves to be a winning combination. This is complemented by its slick visuals and animation, as well as the young relationship between Luca and Alberto, who navigate the ups and downs of a precarious situation relating to their true nature.
Often being meme’d to oblivion,Carsis an exhilarating Pixar movie that is one of the only franchises within the studio, alongsideToy Story, to have garnered a trilogy of movies aswell as a spinoff show, owing to the riveting story surrounding Lightning McQueen.Cars' premise follows the extravagant and flashy protagonist McQueen, a race car yearning for the Piston Cup. However, after getting lost on Route 66, the flashy McQueen ingratiates himself with Radiator Springs, a small town where the protagonist finds friendship, romance, and mentorship on his path to glory.
Filled with tremendous voice acting performances, including Paul Newman’s wise portrayal of Doc Hudson,Carsis a movie packed with plenty of heart and passion, featuring intense highs and lows that make it perfect for family entertainment.
Emerging as Pixar’s second-ever release,A Bug’s Lifehas often been overshadowed byToy Story, despite presenting a compelling story about the battle between ants and grasshoppers.A Bug’s Lifecenters on Flik, an ingenious ant who enlists the help of circus bugs to defend his colony from the attacks ofvicious grasshoppers led by Hopper, who continually hamper their livelihoods.
A Bug’s Lifepresents a lighthearted approach to a mature narrative that, at times, can be dark, especially for a family-friendly movie. Led by impactful characters on opposing sides, such as the likable Flik and the frightening Hopper, the movie offered a glimpse of what was to come from Pixar, handling stories that were engrossing while conveying essential messages and themes of empowerment.
One ofPixar’s best films of the decade,Soulwas heavily underwatched when it was released during the pandemic, but the movie’s inspiring message and themes were ahead of their time. The story of Joe Gardner, an aspiring jazz musician, comes to a halt after he is killed in an accident. Joe finds himself in the afterlife, where, as a soul, he attempts to reconnect with his body in time for his big musical breakout.
Soul’sbeautiful animation, paired with its deep and soulful storytelling, crafts a resonating tale brimming with care and love, with Pixar’s first black protagonist representing a culture that is too often underrepresented in the animation medium.
