H 60°, L 38° | Tomorrow: 
H 66°, L 45°In a matter of only 15 years, Pixar has set the benchmark in terms of well-developed, imaginative and captivating animated films. Beginning with “Toy Story” in 1995, every one of the company’s ten feature films has gone on to enormous success, earning worldwide acclaim from critics and audiences alike, billions of dollars at the box office and a collective total of nine Academy Awards out of 34 nominations. To say the least, the animation giant has done quite well for itself.
Yet, such success only begs the question: When will Pixar fail? It’s irrational to think the company won’t eventually release a box office bomb, especially since a flop at this point would be earning under $200 million worldwide and receiving only generally positive critical reviews — a relative success for any other film. I mean, nobody’s perfect, right?
After Walt Disney Studios Chairman Rich Ross confirmed Pixar’s plan to release a “Monsters Inc.” sequel in November 2012, I’d say the animation company’s current direction certainly looks to test this question.
Up to this point, Pixar’s success has come from continuing to release films with unique storylines and fresh new characters that appeal to audiences of all ages — the exception being the studio’s third feature and only sequel, “Toy Story 2,” which was surprisingly just as good as the original despite being the only Pixar film to reuse characters and plotlines. Even innovative ideas that seemed risky on paper like a culinary rat cooking French food, a robot speaking predominantly in bleeps and bloops and a crotchety old man flying up and away in a balloon house went on to major success.
However, Pixar’s upcoming direction is moving away from this winning formula. Including “Monsters Inc. 2,” three of the next four scheduled Pixar features are sequels to past films — the other two being “Toy Story 3” which comes out this June, and a “Cars” sequel scheduled for June 2011. Additionally, “A Bug’s Life” sequel is slated for release in winter 2013. To put this in perspective, it’s been more than ten years since Pixar released its one and only sequel, yet the studio plans on releasing four within the next three years. If you ask me, Pixar is only setting itself up for failure.
Audiences love Pixar films because they are anything but the run of the mill, unimaginative, clich�d crap we usually get from other animation companies. But what will happen when the studio continuously attempts to make old material fresh? “Shrek,” one of the few beloved animated films in the past few years not branded with the name Pixar, suffered backlash when DreamWorks went too far and released the terrible “Shrek the Third,” hoping to bank off the success of the first film and its equally enjoyable sequel. Judging by the unpromising trailer for the upcoming “Shrek Forever After,” DreamWorks looks to keep digging itself into a repetitive hole of mediocrity.
Fortunately, Pixar should manage to avoid the same hole and keep its winning streak alive with “Toy Story 3.” The film not only features all the major voice talents, Lee Unkrich, who worked on the past films and co-directed the second, and an Academy Award-winning screenwriter in Michael Arndt, but also has amazing potential judging by its remarkable trailer. However, Pixar’s subsequent sequels don’t look as promising.
Out of the past six Pixar features, “Cars” boasted the lowest worldwide box office numbers, received considerably less critical praise and was the only film that didn’t win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Sure, the storyline leaves plenty of room to expand into a sequel, but it would be difficult to do so in an entertaining way that doesn’t tread too much along the path of the last film. Not to mention the fact that the deaths of Paul Newman and George Carlin prevent bringing back all the characters.
The same fate is sure to await the “Monsters Inc.” and “A Bug’s Life” sequels. Although successful, neither film is generally considered one of the Pixar greats. In addition, at least ten years will pass between both films and their subsequent sequels, leaving a massive time span for characters. “Toy Story 3” was able to successfully surpass this obstacle allowing a fresh plot, but other sequels don’t have this luxury. This means “Monsters Inc.,” for example, will either have to age Boo, the beloved glue holding the film together with youth and cuteness, or not advance ten years in the future and seriously risk using the same jokes and plotlines that worked the first time but would seem tiresome if used again.
Sure, “Brave,” a tale about a Scottish daughter of royalty who would rather make her mark as an archer and the only confirmed non-sequel in Pixar’s near future, also could become Pixar’s first flop, but it’s an imaginative idea that is far less risky than some of Pixar’s other successful films, and with original characters and plotlines it’s more promising than potentially exasperating sequels. Pixar’s current formula has led to seven straight hits. I’d say if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.
Tony Lewis is a senior majoring in journalism and legal studies. Are you excited to see Sully and Mike team up again for a “Monsters Inc.” sequel? E-mail him at tlewis@badgerherald.com.
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I think you should check your facts regarding the “Bug’s life” sequel.
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Toy Story > Monsters Inc.
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Pixar put off doing sequels for a long time because their contract with Disney during the Eisner years made it much more favorable for them to do originals than sequels.
In the past, various commentators loudly proclaimed Pixar was headed into a ditch when they heard the premise of Ratatouille, then Wall-E, and most recently Up. Commentators will now loudly proclaim that Pixar is going down the tubes due to a plethora of sequels. Show me the film scripts those commentators have had successfully produced and I might even start giving some credence to said commentators.
Up to this point: Pixar 10, commentators 0
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I agree with this article. The Pixar slate seems to indicate a lack of fresh ideas, and so Lasseter is reduced to cranking out the sequels, in effect, serving warmed-up leftovers to audiences. A Bug’s Life sequel is especially astonishing. Why rehash that movie? Hmm, maybe the attraction at Disney World is a big draw, and so the marketers - er, sorry, ARTISTS - at Disney decided that audiences wanted more?
This sour case of sequel-itis, plus a planned Muppet movie (really? The last Muppet movie - Muppets In Space - was a huge flop. Why throw more money at dead characters?) seems to indicate that Rich Ross is more comfortable planning silly teen musicals than running a movie company. Disney has been losing its magic for me for some time; only Pixar kept me buying those movie tickets. Looks like I’ll be seeing less Pixar and more Dreamworks and 20th Century Fox from now on…
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You basically summed up all my thoughts about the Monsters Inc. sequel (although I didn’t know about the Bug’s Life sequel until now).
Pixar is one of the few companies that has never let me down. Even movies like ‘Cars’ and ‘The Incredibles’, which I cared a little less for, were masterpieces beyond compare, with great storylines and surprising original.
However, I too am concerned about this sudden stampede of sequels coming our way. ‘Toy Story 3’ was a given, and frankly, I have a strong feeling that it’s going to be fantastic. But films like Monsters Inc. and A Bug’s Life worked well on their own. As much as I genuinely cared for the characters, I never really got excited about seeing them again in another movie.
All in all, I agree with you. I’m concerned for Pixar, but I’m willing to give them a chance. They’re yet to let me down.
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You might want to actually research this. There is no Bug’s life sequel. It was an April fool’s day joke. If this journalist had actually bothered to research his article he would have realized this. As for Pixar producing more sequels, has it not occurred to you that this is simply a way to support the production of more financially risky original stories. It is in no way due to a “lack of fresh ideas”.
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Sequels are very dangerous, even though Toy Story 2 was a success, the result of a “monsters inc” and “cars” sequel is a total enigma, since their success, like you state, are based on new and “fresh” characters among other things.
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Sequels are very dangerous, even though Toy Story 2 was a success, the result of a “monsters inc” and “cars” sequel is a total enigma, since their success, like you state, are based on new and “fresh” characters among other things.
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Hate to say it but Cars isn’t the only Pixar film to not win an Oscar. Monsters, Inc. lost to Shrek (and frankly I can’t figure out why).
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Hey! Now you’re crossing the line, you didn’t have to bring the Muppets into this. I’m personally pretty excited to see what they do with the new Muppet movie. There isn’t much information being released about a lot of these productions people are already belittling. Why is everyone so quick to say “oh goodness, how terrible do you think this is going to be”
DreamWorks is starting to do a wonderful job, I mean with Kung Fu Panda and the new Dragon release it’s going in a great direction. Fox… really, you’re more excited about FOX. Were you paid for that? How many Ice Age movies have there been?
For me personally I’m still all rose colored glasses with these companies, I’m still going to look forward to each new Pixar release just as well as Disney, and DreamWorks. And with Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs behind Sony’s belt I’m even looking forward to their next release Hotel T. Fox lost me a while ago, maybe I’ll check out their stuff when it comes to video but I can’t remember the last time I was excited to see a Fox 3D product in theaters.
Sadly marketing and politics are sneaking their way into all movie decisions which while disheartening I try not to let interfere with my final opinion on the film. Yea the grubby money hungry people have their say but there are hundreds of very talented artists and technical people working on each of these films who will hopefully by the release save any errors caused by the suits.
Just please EVERYONE try and keep an open heart and mind go out and just enjoy the magic of animation
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Shrek is a horrible example. In fact, any Dreamworks movie is a horrible example. What if the sequels are smashing successes? Just look at the critical reception of Toy Story 3 thus far. My guess is that folks will love them.
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Please conduct more research before posting rubbish. There is nothing to inidicate A Bugs Life sequel is being made. Pixar have always said they will only make sequels if the story calls for it and I for one believe them when they say this.
Why are critics so desperate to see this company fail? I feel we should be celebrating the fact that they continue to release superb film after superb film.
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There’s no Bug’s Life sequel, first of all. Secondly, it just seems like they’re releasing a lot of sequels because they are all happening near each other, and then there’s still Brave and the (perhaps cancelled) Newt. Plus, the general public doesn’t know what is happening in 2013 or beyond.
In response to the Muppet movie comment, the reason Muppets In Space was a huge flop was because of bad writing and bad storyline. If anything, the Muppets need another film to keep the franchise alive. With Jason Segel and James Bobin on board, this could be the revitalization of the Muppet franchise.
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I somewhat agree. I’m actually excited for toy story 3 and monster’s inc 2 not for cars 2 or bugs life 2 ( which I don’t think is happening). Even though pixar is rolling out sequels, they are also rolling out new movies like Brave and Newt, which is a smart move.
Personally, if one day they decided to make a finding nemo 2 with all of the original characters and vocal talents, I just might die of happiness. :)
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http://pixarplanet.com/blog/exclusive-a-bugs-life-2-in-2013
there is no bugs life 2, it’s an april fools day joke started by a pixar fansite.
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Monsters Inc. absolutely is considered to be on Pixar’s best films. I consider it to be their absolute best (maybe behind Toy Story). I love that film to pieces and everyone I know does too. Stop whining, if anyone the movie business knows what they’re doing in the industry these days it must be Pixar. I have real faith in these guys and I am sure that post-2013 Pixar’s line up will be a whole new batch of original premise features. Until then lets enjoy revisiting some classic characters for one last victory lap. … Oh, and they should add an Incredibles sequel to their sequel-fest. That one actually should happen.