Pixar’s Brave Trailer #3

I have a feeling that this one is going to be emotionally heavy like every other Pixar movie. I’m sure looking forward to seeing it!

Look Out Katniss . . . Make Way for Princess Merida!

Bows and arrows are all the rage now and a new heroine will soon be stepping up to challenge The Hunger Games’ Katniss Everdeen as the reigning archery queen. Pixar’s newest film, Brave, will be hitting theaters June 22. Brave is Pixar’s first fairy tale and tells the story of the strong-willed and sharp-shooting Princess Merida. Check out the new promotional posters for the movie below!

Pixar’s ‘Brave’ Trailer

Love Pixar Movies.

Toy Story 3

This will be a short review since it’s so late and judging by the $900 million dollar worldwide haul, everyone on Earth have already seen this anyways. It also joins a very exclusive list of 11 domestic films to reach the $400 million mark (the 2nd for Pixar).

Even though over ten years have passed since the last Toy Story sequel (yes, really), the toys haven’t aged a bit. In fact they seem to look better and better with each outing. No doubt thanks to a lot of ‘plastic’ surgery and the cush lifestyle of a mega hit franchise. While T3 was critically a near perfect film in every way, shape, and form, I still found myself less than overwhelmed. Part of it is Pixar’s own fault of delivering masterpieces time after time and raising their own bar with each release- shame on them. Another reason for my lackluster response was that this world was way too familiar to me. I adore T1 and T2 and felt completely satisfied with the conclusion of that story. So personally I just didn’t feel I needed the closure of one more romp through the toy chest. But with that said, there is still much to be appreciated.

The ’Cool Hand Luke’  Day Care was a clever setting for this new adventure. Pixar stays faithful to maximizing the very limited time of its old favorite characters in leu of the many news ones introduced. Action is masterfully choreographed and the pacing is as tight as a spinning top. It also concludes with throwing the viewer into the emotional deep end of the pool as the characters say goodbye in their own unique ways. In my mind, Pixar can do no wrong, so it’s unfortunate that I did not buy into the ‘toy-mania’ this time around.

All in all, I have no complaints but I also felt like this story of the toys was a unnecissary excess. But with that said, I still give it high marks and have to give a stellar nod to Pixar for one of the greatest franchises of our generation.

I give it a 4 out of 5 Babbles.

Toy Story 3 Trailer

Teaser Trailer:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f-MYl-HzNw

Here’s the link to the new trailer:

Up, up, and away!

Up
*no spoilers*

To be honest, I was less than excited about seeing Up. As the latest animated extravaganza, Pixar is hoping to stay on top with this latest incarnation. We have all grown to love Pixar since the early days of Toy Story, Monsters Inc, and Finding Nemo. The main reason I was not interested in seeing Up was because the trailer looked fairly ordinary. It was an old guy flying around in a house, what was going to be exciting about that? Before I get too far, let me give a brief synopsis.

As the movie opens we see the story of Carl Fredricksen (voiced by Ed Asner) and the life he and his wife have together over many years. Eventually, his wife passes and the cranky old Carl is left to find purpose with the remaining few years he has. With the help of a million balloons and a little boy scout, he decides to embark on a new adventure by flying his house to a remote island in South America. As expected, Carl discovers an adventure of a lifetime for not only himself but others involved.

I remember years ago watching the Monsters Inc DVD extras. John Lassiter, the creative genius behind many of their movies, shared that regardless of the animation it’s all about story. Once again they have proven that the number one essential quality in any movie is just that. It’s all about the development and journey of the central characters. Even in the midst of mind blowing computer animation, it is clear that Pixar spent a significant amount of time crafting characters that you will get to know and eventually love. Whether it’s a crotchety old man, a boy scout in search of a father figure, or dog that simply wants a master, Pixar slowly and carefully draws you in, turning these animations into real people. It actually made me want to get a dog! All the characters are familiar with people or family you might know but because of some extra exposition, you come to embrace them even further. Thanks Pixar for being faithful to your word.

The action is fun too. It doesn’t drag and there is a lot of momentum. Most of it centers on keeping the house from floating away. However,  the action is fairly ‘grounded’, it’s not boring but nothing super innovative either.

The graphics are of course are nothing less than spectacular, especially in 3-D. I don’t know why anyone would see it on a regular screen. If any Pixar movie was made for an extra dimensional experience, it’s this one.

The themes are solid and timeless. It’s about finding purpose and meaning in life. You’re never too old to find a new adventure. So Up should appeal to both the young and old. Although the young may find the mature themes of life after a death too slow and boring. Speaking of kids…

Unfortunately, I found it too graphic for my toddlers (4 & 6) which I was hoping to take if it was acceptable. Between the gun shots, vicious dogs, and a little blood/violence, it would be too much for anyone under 8 in my opinion. There is also the hard reality of the passing of a loved one and the funeral- which was a tear jerker. I do wish Pixar would return to movies that would appropriate for kids of any age but I understand that their decisions are intention and driven by a lot of research.

So I highly recommend this movie although it not the kind of movie you will want to see again and again. It’s just not that type of movie but it still made for a great experience. Go see Up in 3-D and you will lifted to new heights.

4 out of 5 Babbles