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Pixar and Sequel-itis: Finding Dory

  • 02-04-2013 4:30pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,589 ✭✭✭✭


    I'm as staunch a Pixar fan as you're likely to find, but I'm increasingly dismayed by the disproportionate amount of derivative sequel projects they've been producing lately. Brave was the first original premise we got since the masterful Up! in 2010, and this summer we'll have the Monsters Inc. prequel Monsters University. Now, seemingly, we will have the sequel to Finding Nemo in 2015:

    55AT3Z.jpg

    The most disheartening aspect of this is that it doesn't even make sense as a sequel; Finding Nemo was a completely self-contained film, and now we're being forced answers to questions that nobody asked. The same could be said of Monsters Inc. and Cars - the only film that has gotten the sequel treatment that really deserved it is Toy Story, and those have been executed perfectly. If they wanted to produce yet another sequel, then at least produce one that lends itself to the treatment, like The Incredibles. Some will say that the ship has sailed on this already, but I'm increasingly worried that Pixar are shedding all pretenses of originality.

    Where does this stem from? Is Disney turning the screw, trying to pump out sequels to already proven properties? Is safety valued more than the pursuit of something new and unknown, like Brave?


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 11,348 ✭✭✭✭ricero


    Looking forward to it


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,693 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sad Professor


    Pixar's fate was sealed once they were sold to Disney. A long decline awaits them. However there's still a lot of talented people working there and I expect a lot of good films from them in the short term, even if most of them are sequels.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,510 ✭✭✭sprinkles


    I would have thought that the pressure from Disney would have led to fierce resistance from Lasseter, Catmull & co. I thought with Brave that it was good signs, even if it's a so so film imo, but finding Dory sounds a bit fishy (pun intended).


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,115 ✭✭✭✭Nervous Wreck


    I'm as staunch a Pixar fan as you're likely to find, but I'm increasingly dismayed by the disproportionate amount of derivative sequel projects they've been producing lately. Brave was the first original premise we got since the masterful Up! in 2010, and this summer we'll have the Monsters Inc. prequel Monsters University. Now, seemingly, we will have the sequel to Finding Nemo in 2015:

    I think an amazing film in 2009 ("Up!") followed by an amazing film in 2012 ("Brave") is pretty great, irrespective of other sequels in the meantime. It's not a lazy timescale by any means like.
    The most disheartening aspect of this is that it doesn't even make sense as a sequel; Finding Nemo was a completely self-contained film, and now we're being forced answers to questions that nobody asked.

    Pixar has delivered quality work at every turn; I really don't see what can be disheartening about it. Sure, the films didn't need sequels but that didn't make the sequels any less welcome or good.
    I'm increasingly worried that Pixar are shedding all pretenses of originality.

    Where does this stem from? Is Disney turning the screw, trying to pump out sequels to already proven properties? Is safety valued more than the pursuit of something new and unknown, like Brave?

    In fairness, Disney has recently commissioned Antman and Guardians of the Galaxy; they don't seem like they are afraid to take risks at all.


    Bottom line is, people will go see a sequel to Finding Nemo. They'll look forward to it, they'll pay for it, they'll almost certainly enjoy it, they'll tell their friends and they'll buy the DVD. So why not make it!? I can't fuggin wait!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,602 ✭✭✭✭Liam O


    The writing may be on the wall for them after John Carter. Shame that it wasn't given the marketing campaign it deserved, pretty much everyone I've recommended it to enjoyed it. But anything ambitious they try is going to treated with a lot of skepticism with Stanton at the helm.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,589 ✭✭✭✭Necronomicon


    Pixar has delivered quality work at every turn; I really don't see what can be disheartening about it. Sure, the films didn't need sequels but that didn't make the sequels any less welcome or good.
    I'd have to argue this. As forgiving as I am towards Cars 2, given the love I have for its world and characters (the original is among my favourites), it was just a cut below Pixar standards. It had more of a direct-to-DVD vibe to it IMO. To be fair, though, this wasn't the case with either of the Toy Story sequels.
    Bottom line is, people will go see a sequel to Finding Nemo. They'll look forward to it, they'll pay for it, they'll almost certainly enjoy it, they'll tell their friends and they'll buy the DVD. So why not make it!? I can't fuggin wait!
    I just think it stunts originality - Brave felt so refreshing because it had been three films since we'd seen an original premise. I hate to think of how many fantastic ideas have gotten left behind in favour of derivative projects that feel all too familiar. When I see something like the excellent La Luna short film it really whets the appetite for a new premise, and new characters to fall in love with.
    Liam O wrote: »
    The writing may be on the wall for them after John Carter. Shame that it wasn't given the marketing campaign it deserved, pretty much everyone I've recommended it to enjoyed it. But anything ambitious they try is going to treated with a lot of skepticism with Stanton at the helm.
    John Carter wasn't a Pixar film - the only link was Stanton (who doesn't helm Pixar, if I'm reading that right).


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,700 ✭✭✭ThirdMan


    Both Toy Story sequels were hugely successful, commercially and critically. If they can pull the same thing off with their other brands then more power to them. Personally, I'd love to see a sequel to The Incredibles.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,700 ✭✭✭ThirdMan


    When I see something like the excellent La Luna short film it really whets the appetite for a new premise, and new characters to fall in love with.

    I've just been on their wiki page. It seems that the director of La Luna is directing The Good Dinosaur. And there's also plans for a feature based on the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Sounds good to me.

    Allowing sure-fired sequels to absorb the cost of original work is nothing new in Hollywood. I wouldn't hold it against them if that's gonna be there business model from now on.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,861 ✭✭✭FlyingIrishMan


    The only bad sequel Pixar have ever made is Cars 2. No reason to be so disheartened yet.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,461 ✭✭✭Queen-Mise


    The only bad sequel Pixar have ever made is Cars 2. No reason to be so disheartened yet.

    I liked Cars 2:(

    I thought the James Bond car idea was great. It wasn't the greatest Pixar movie ever, but it was ok.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,700 ✭✭✭ThirdMan


    Brave felt so refreshing because it had been three films since we'd seen an original premise.

    It had only been two, and the seven previous films were all original ideas. I think you're looking too much into this.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,589 ✭✭✭✭Necronomicon


    ThirdMan wrote: »
    It had only been two
    Okay, the way I was counting was after Up we had Toy Story 3, then Cars 2, and then Brave.
    ThirdMan wrote: »
    and the seven previous films were all original ideas. I think you're looking too much into this.

    I think that actually backs up my reservation. They seem to have gone from a portfolio of fresh premeses almost year-on-year, and now we're looking at having had four sequels/prequel in six years. Only two original films between 2009 and 2015. I take on board a point in your previous post that projects based on 'safe' properties are probably requisite to sustain the more ambitious or unknown entities; but my concern is the frequency of the former. I don't think it can really be denied that this is the case, but if I'm in the minority that has a concern about this then fair enough.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,602 ✭✭✭✭Liam O


    John Carter wasn't a Pixar film - the only link was Stanton (who doesn't helm Pixar, if I'm reading that right).

    Stanton is the main creative influence behind Pixar though I'd say and his only real solo venture fell on it's head so they are probably playing it safe with him going back to old projects. If you look at his IMDB page of the 8 films he wrote before John Carter the only sequels were the 2 Toy Stories. Now after John Carter his next 3 are sequels which is a bit telling. John Carter I'd pretty much class as an extension of Pixar, I'd say a lot of the same people worked on it as most Pixar productions.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 30,018 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    I'd still love to see Pixar attempting something completely new. I know the likes of Up, Wall-E Brave and Ratatouille all shook things up to various degrees, but at the same time they're very distinctly Pixar films with a lot of heavy similarities. But I'd love them to do a Ghibli and make something out of left field (their Princess Mononoke). They have such a strong team of creatives I think they'd be capable of something remarkable.

    Alas, the astronomical costs of a Pixar production are destined to be an artistic restriction (they're deft hands working within those restrictions, granted) and John Lasseter et al have even expressed a commitment to sticking with traditional family cinema. The Disney agreement couldn't have helped.

    Still, a man can dream, even if it is an impossible dream.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,367 ✭✭✭✭Sleepy


    Why do it?

    Because I've a 4 year old at home I can't tell about this sequel until it's actually in the cinema. Our kids literally played the DVD copy of it to death.

    Once Crush and Squirt make an appearance, I'll probably enjoy it too :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,743 ✭✭✭blatantrereg


    Pixar's fate was sealed once they were sold to Disney. A long decline awaits them. However there's still a lot of talented people working there and I expect a lot of good films from them in the short term, even if most of them are sequels.
    Nonsense. Ratatouille, Up, Wall-E and Toy Story 3 were probably the best Pixar films, and they were all made since its acquisition by Disney. Disney itself has made two great 3D films in the forms of Tangled and Wreck it Ralph.

    Animators in Pixar get far more time to work on their projects than the norm in the industry. So much so that they can find it difficult to adjust to the much higher level of pressure that exists in most 3D animation studios. They are a hugely attractive place to work for animators because of the quality of their films as well as the greatly reduced pressure.

    As for sequels, they have at least two original projects planned for release before Find Dory, so I don't know if that counts as sequelitis. I wouldn't assume a sequel will be less good than an original. Brave made people in the animation industry excited, but that doesn't make it a good film per se. Personally I thought it was bad. Toy Story 3 was great though.

    I agree that Finding Dory sounds worryingly like a lame rehash though :/


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 30,018 CMod ✭✭✭✭johnny_ultimate


    Pixar have announced a sequel to The Incredibles! Huzzah!
    Pixar have also announced a sequel to Cars! Oh **** off!

    http://www.avclub.com/article/disney-announces-sequels-incredibles-and-yes-cars-202333


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 36,711 CMod ✭✭✭✭pixelburp


    Pixar have announced a sequel to The Incredibles! Huzzah!

    May I be the first to say: about f*cking time! Great news though, The Incredibles had more than enough material in its mythology to feed a sequel or two, I've always been very disappointed at the lack of traction / interest for a second film.
    Pixar have also announced a sequel to Cars! Oh **** off!

    Goddamnit. Ok, c'mon, hands up: who keeps going to these?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 677 ✭✭✭vidor


    But Pixar can do no wrong shrug.gif


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 11,348 ✭✭✭✭ricero


    I want a bugs life sequel. Such an underratted pixar film


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,793 ✭✭✭FunLover18


    Cars was OK (don't shoot!!)

    Cars 2 was awful!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,443 ✭✭✭Bipolar Joe


    Glad to hear of a sequel for The Incredibles. I really enjoy that Pixar don't pander (Too much), and Incredibles stands out for that specifically as being quite dark at times.

    Cars can bollix off, though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,686 ✭✭✭✭Zubeneschamali


    Cars can bollix off, though.

    Cars and Cars 2 made a pile of money from merchandise sold for kids who are too small to know a crap movie when the see one.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,793 ✭✭✭FunLover18


    Cars is the only Pixar franchise which comes close to selling out and existing for merchandising purposes. If Pixar can keep making the films they do at the cost of a Cars film every few years I'll be happy


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,217 ✭✭✭TheIrishGrover


    I enjoyed Cars. Thought it was a nice change of pace (No pun intended). I thought Cars 2 was their first actual bad film. While I may not have enjoyed some of the films they weren't bad as such. Cars 2 was. It is a shame (But not a surprise) to see them making another sequel. Brings in the cash I suppose.

    On the other hand....

    The Incredibles 2? With Brad Bird? BRING IT!!!!!!!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,411 ✭✭✭✭flazio


    I hope SLJ is back on board as Frozone. And his greater good :D

    This too shall pass.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,589 ✭✭✭✭Necronomicon


    Delighted about The Incredibles - I always wondered if Brad Bird would be at the helm if it ever happened, so I am relieved to hear that he is. Another Cars sequel, though - ugh. I know it's like printing money for them with the success of the merchandise, but it's disheartening. They could have let Disney take that project on (à la Planes) and it probably would have had the desired results.

    The Pixar line-up for the next few years now looks like:

    Inside Out (2015)
    The Good Dinosaur (2015)
    Finding Dory (2016)
    Untitled Pixar film about Dia de los Muertros
    The Incredibles 2
    Cars 3


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,656 ✭✭✭norrie rugger


    flazio wrote: »
    I hope SLJ is back on board as Frozone. And his greater good :D


    His wife better be back too


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    This reminds me that I really need to rewatch the Incredibles. I really don't mind if Pixar makes sequels, for the fact that they have a good track record so far. Look at Toy Story 2 and 3. I have yet to see Monsters Inc. or Cars 2, but my understanding is that they just weren't on par with other Pixar movies - not necessarily bad movies .. just not as good.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,217 ✭✭✭TheIrishGrover


    This reminds me that I really need to rewatch the Incredibles. I really don't mind if Pixar makes sequels, for the fact that they have a good track record so far. Look at Toy Story 2 and 3. I have yet to see Monsters Inc. or Cars 2, but my understanding is that they just weren't on par with other Pixar movies - not necessarily bad movies .. just not as good.

    Cars 2 is actually a bad movie. Their first bad one. Monsters U was a missed opportunity. It should have been riddled in animal house/college jokes (Family friendly versions of course) but they were few and far between and the movie itself just wasn't that funny.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,793 ✭✭✭FunLover18


    Cars 2 is actually a bad movie. Their first bad one. Monsters U was a missed opportunity. It should have been riddled in animal house/college jokes (Family friendly versions of course) but they were few and far between and the movie itself just wasn't that funny.

    I loved Monsters U. All the fraternity names were fairly funny I thought. The only thing that annoyed me was Squishy's mother being the exact same as him. I'd always thought that the Monsters would be a monstrous mixture of their parents


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,788 ✭✭✭✭krudler


    This reminds me that I really need to rewatch the Incredibles. I really don't mind if Pixar makes sequels, for the fact that they have a good track record so far. Look at Toy Story 2 and 3. I have yet to see Monsters Inc. or Cars 2, but my understanding is that they just weren't on par with other Pixar movies - not necessarily bad movies .. just not as good.

    I think The Incredibles is one of Pixar's best films, and it's one of the best superhero movies ever made, animated or not. Plus Michael Giacchino's score is magnificent.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 240 ✭✭Manchegan


    The Pixar line-up for the next few years now looks like:
    Inside Out (2015)

    The trailer for this is out, and it's a perfect miniature film in and of itself


    http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/screenwriter/2014/12/10/nice-new-trailer-for-inside-out/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,474 ✭✭✭longshotvalue


    Manchegan wrote: »

    Now that looks like a possible return to form..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 89,018 ✭✭✭✭JP Liz V1


    Loved Hank, next up in the series Finding Hank :p

    The Wire reunion with the sea lions was cool, I honestly only recognised Idris voice


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