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THE PIXAR STORY

"A Bright Spot in the History of Entertainment"

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What You Need To Know:

THE PIXAR STORY is a wonderful documentary about a tremendous success story in the entertainment industry, the creators behind classic movies like FINDING NEMO, the TOY STORY movies, CARS, and RATATOUILLE. The movie starts with the beginnings of Pixar with John Lasseter and Ed Catmull. When things were looking dark, Pixar was sold to Steve Jobs, one of the founders of Apple Computers. A deal was made with Disney to produce the first-ever full-length computer animated movie. Disney executives at the time wanted an edgy adult movie, but John Lasseter decided on a more family-friendly movie called TOY STORY. The rest is history.

THE PIXAR STORY is not a movie for toddlers but it would be great to show to older children and teenagers. In an age where many documentaries are left-wing attacks on American society, including its economic policies, it’s refreshing to see an inspiring story about capitalists striving to make the highest quality products they can. We need more stories that inspire children to want to grow up to do something really good with their lives. The movie also contains other great lessons about hard work, perseverance, integrity, and purity.

Content:

(BBB, CapCapCap) A wonderful documentary that promotes values like integrity, perseverance, creativity, and decency; it would be hard to find a better advertisement for capitalism; and, nothing objectionable.

More Detail:

THE PIXAR STORY is a wonderful documentary about a tremendous success story in the entertainment industry, about the creators behind such successful family-friendly movies like FINDING NEMO, the TOY STORY movies, CARS, THE INCREDIBLES, and RATATOUILLE. It’s not a movie for toddlers but would be great to show to teenagers. In an age where most documentaries are liberal attacks on McDonalds, the health care industry or George W. Bush, it’s refreshing to see an inspiring story about capitalists striving to make the highest quality products they can. We need more stories that inspire children to want to grow up to do something really good with their life. There are several great lessons in this movie that would make for life-changing family discussions.

One of the heroes of the story is John Lassiter, who as a child got a copy of a book called “Walt Disney’s Art of Animation.” He was amazed you could make a living doing animation and decided at a young age that’s what he wanted to do. In the 1970s, he managed to study under “the nine old men” who created some of Disney’s classic animated features. In 1980, he was hired by Disney and began some early tests of computer animation. They were not well received. He was laid off (here’s where you can point out to your children that big setbacks can be important steps to success if you don’t let them crush your dreams).

Lassiter then met Ed Catmull and was instantly hired as the creative force for Pixar. Catmull and his coworkers were brilliant scientists developing computer animation technology but they needed a creative artist interested in computer animation to push their technology in truly artistic directions. The mix was great but the technology took years to reach the level necessary for a full-length feature (here’s where you can point out to your children that perseverance is vital to success).

When things were looking bleak financially, Pixar was sold to Steve Jobs, the legendary entrepreneur who was one of the founders of Apple Computers. A deal was made with Disney to produce the first-ever full-length computer animated movie. Michael Eisner of Disney pushed for an “edgy” animated movie aimed at adults. After much work the results were disappointing. Disney prepared to pull funding. Lassiter scraped the adult approach, returned to his root ideas and put out TOY STORY (here’s where you can point out to your children that integrity is a requirement for true success).

Pixar has amazed the entertainment industry by producing seven consecutive successful movies. While they work to avoid becoming stale by repeating the same formula, they maintain standards that include being clean, telling compelling stories and insisting on creating characters you care about. They treat storytelling as a craft and they are rewarded with critical and consumer respect. The brand name is worth millions on opening weekend because people trust that if it’s a Pixar movie, it’s going to be good. The same cannot be said for those who release nasty horror shows one week and something aimed at families the next.

The only drawback to THE PIXAR STORY is that you may go home discouraged that you’re not working for Pixar. The work is not for everyone – it’s obviously VERY demanding — but it looks like a job you could love if you have a creative bone in your body (here’s where you tell your children work can be enjoyable and rewarding beyond just getting a paycheck). Sadly, the movie came out as a VERY limited release, so look for it on DVD in 2008.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.