Part of the Pixar going experience is the short film. I ... reaaaallly should have known it was Teddy Newton from the getgo. The animation style is all him as well as the timing, pacing and the SHEER INSANITY. However it unifies with one theme of simply being as different as night and day. Not only that this film actually tests and pushes the mediums by PERFECTLY synchronizing 2D and 3D animation.. perfectly. I really can't summarize it, you guys have to go and see it. I really do think it's set a new bar for people to really look to. While, it is a push of the 2 mediums while at the same time unifying them, if you're a good movie goer, you aren't paying attention to the medium... you are so focused on the characters and what's going on inside them. You start to care and really relate to them in some way or form.. Seriously one of the best and more thought provoking shorts, all by achieving this by unifying the mediums and the plot in one fell swoop. Teddy, my heart goes out to you.
Now over the years... since I graduated high school in 2004 I've known about the production.. or not production.. then production again, cancellation and WE'RE DOING IT AGAIN of Toy Story 3. While sure there's a good many of you that are going to automatically start hating because it's "another sequel" in many respects it continues the story almost flawlessly, logically and maintains that sense of emotional attachment you've had with the characters. Like all movies this has it's weaknesses. Buzz seems gets more gag time rather than actual character time, and I feel a little detached from understanding the villain up to a certain point until it's explained by another toy. Pacing of course is perfect and the development is awesome. Since the deviousness and pure hatred from the villain ( a big ..purple bear of all things) seems to continuously reach new bounds. That was something that didn't disappoint me. if you're going to have a villain, make him a villain through and through. No silly redemption, only redemption for those who have crossed the line without knowing... this guy knew.. Wrapping this up, Pixar, as per usual doesn't fail when it comes to story, maybe sometimes rushed but there is always a strong backing to it ( Wall-E still being one of it's weakest movies along with Cars in my opinion... though that didn't stop me from owning them on DVD) And even in sequels they still manage to make a solid movie.. a damn good movie.
Effects wise...
You know people seem to think I'm this big 2D animation nazi and I REALLY am not. I love all forms of animation, my big thing is that it just simply has to be good. Genuine, and honest. However this doesn't mean that anal retentiveness doesn't go a long way in movies. Making sure the sense of believability is there is AMAZINGLY important. Effects and prop designers at Pixar ALL DESERVE TO GET LAID... NOW
There is a scene where the characters go through the garbage process.. I mean practically get close to being shopped up and incinerated... Not.. ONLY is there loads upon loads upon loads of garbage everywhere.... not only is that designed... BUT SO ARE MILLIONS AND BILLIONS AND TRILLIONS OF SHREDDED PIECES OF GARBAGE... Oh... my god... See now you can easily say that that's due to Pixar's budget but seriously, money only goes so far, that's passion for the work. To make sure that they are sifting and climbing and struggling through all these little pieces of garbage is just amazing.
The ending was perfect, I seriously think that little girl was an animator in training. She was awesome. Made me think of what I talked to Will Vinton about when I went to his dinner, "I think as animators you could call us professional kids." She was the embodiment of all that. Taking all these old toys and they becoming new gems, and treasuring them. That's kinda what being an animator is all about, taking what about your youth made it so valuable and what you look so fondly of.. and applying it to your artform.
And of course at the end of the night, as I'm heading home, I text
So my recommendation... go see it. It's a spectacular movie. Frankly it is kinda fun, in the dark having your heartstrings being pulled and plucked and crying your eyes out.
See you guys at AC!
















