Rank "Cars" Among Other Pixar Hits

[tjkraz]

Those who read my comments know that I was a little disappointed in "Cars". Don't get me wrong--it's still better than 90% of what's out there. I'd rather watch ANY Pixar film before those from other CGI studios including Dreamworks. I just thought there were more obvious flaws than I am used to seeing in a Pixar film.

Nevertheless, it sounds like a lot of people here like "Cars" much better than I did. That got me thinking--where does everyone rank "Cars" among the other big Pixar hits.

Thus, a poll was born.

Feel free to comment if you will. Personally I'm most curious to hear which Pixar films folks thought were NOT as good as "Cars."

Here is a list of the Pixar films in order of release:

Toy Story
A Bug's Life
Toy Story 2
Monsters, Inc.
Finding Nemo
The Incredibles
Cars

When you vote, just select the position in which "Cars" would fall in your mind with these films ranked from best to worst.

[nono]

Haven't seen it yet, but will be in the next couple days on the beach!

http://www.capemaytimes.com/recreation/beach-movies.htm

Will cast my vote then...

[carolina_yankee]

I chose third best, but once I wrote out my ranking, I realized it may end up being 5th. It's hard to rank, because there are literallly 1/10,000ths separating them but:

1.) Finding Nemo
2.) Toy Story
4.) Toy Story 2
5.) Monster's Inc
3.) Cars
6.) A Bug's Life
7.) Incredibles

This isn't necesssarily the order in which I would watch them. I'm personally not a Toy Story fan, but I appreciate how well done they are. I enjoyed A Bug's Life and Incredibles very much, but I think the others are better movies.

Here's a question: are the Pixar movies starting to appeal more to adults than before? Cars has that '50s nostalgia that was so big for those of ous who grew up with "Happy Days" and "Gerase." The Incredibles seems to have more reference for middle-aged adults than for kids. I think Finding Nemo probably had the best crossover appeal.

Dirk

[tjkraz]

Here's a question: are the Pixar movies starting to appeal more to adults than before? Cars has that '50s nostalgia that was so big for those of ous who grew up with "Happy Days" and "Gerase." The Incredibles seems to have more reference for middle-aged adults than for kids. I think Finding Nemo probably had the best crossover appeal.


I always felt that The Incredibles had something for everybody. I agree with you about the design choices used in the film, but what kids don't like superheroes? My son spent weeks running around the house pretending to be Dash, and so forth.

Nemo deserves to be high on the list for many reasons.

[DSNY FN]

I would rate Cars middle of the pack. I would have to say Nemo and the Incredibles are the 2 best Cars had better animation than toy story but you just can't beat the story that goes along with Toy Story. I like a bugs life also and Monsters inc was also great it is such a fine line between 3rd and last for me as they were all very well done Cars just seemed to lack a little something in the story line for me.

[nono]

Saw it last night. Liked it! Ranked it last among Pixar films though. I kinda felt like I was dropped into the middle of a movie at the beginning, and that there wasn't enough character development up front. Though one could argue that without any apparent character, that is tough to "develop." :D

Anyway, someone has to be last. But last among Pixar is still top of the pile for me. :yes:

Oh, and since Dirk ranked his out, I will too:

1. Nemo (only movie I've ever watched 3 times in one week)
2. Toy Story 2 (can't believe it is better than the original, but it was for me!)
3. Monsters, Inc.
4. Incredibles
5. Toy Story
6. A Bug's Life
7. Cars

Now if we really want to get nuts, try to rank these out vs. your favorite Disney animation. :faint:

[aamove]

I liked Cars. I would put it right behind Finding Nemo.

[Dale-n-chip]

If the question is how did I, a thirty-something software trainer/NASCAR fan/mom of one, liked it. . . the answer is "I LOVED IT!" And would rank it probably in the top 3. Amazing animation (did you watch the light reflect off LM as he slowly rolled out of the hauler at the beginning of the movie?! :worship: HOLY COW!). Lovable characters. Mostly great casting (does John Ratzenberger have blackmail material on Lasseter or what?!). Honorable themes. The works.

But if the question is how did it appeal to DS, a five year-old with the normal obsession with all forms of transportation or wheels, the answer is less favorable. He LOVED the racing scenes (yes, he's a NASCAR fan, too). He LOVED the characters. And his favorite part of the film was when Lightning and Sally went for a drive. But the whole "ahh, the good old days" theme in the film was well beyond him. He'd probably rank it 5th (hates Bugs Life and Incredibles was too intense for him yet).

The way I see it, there are two themes to this movie:
1. Fame isn't everything/respect is important/everyone has something to offer
and
2. New isn't always improved--sometimes the good old days really were better

DS5 fully got the first message and loved the beginning and end of the film, but he spent the middle of the film with that confused look :confused: . I say Pixar targeted the themes to the over 12 crowd, but the Pixar marketing team targeted the under 10 crowd. Which accounts for why DS wants EVERY SINGLE Cars-themed gadget and gizmo on the shelf.

Excuse me. . . I've got to take DS to Wal-Mart. Wish me luck on running the "Cars Gauntlet" at the entrance without spending all the grocery money on Cars-themed flashlights, beach towels, sheet sets, plush toys, RC cars. . . :bugeyed:

mk

[nono]

Dale-n-Chip,

That's an interesting observation, though ironically, I think my D, who's 28 months, would rank Cars very high (higher than me!). Yesterday, during her daily movie time, I asked her which DVD she wanted to watch, and she immediately yelled "Cars!" She absolutely LOVED the movie...

I asked H, and he's ranking Cars "towards the middle" of all Pixar movies. The only reason he didn't rank it higher is that he couldn't get into the characters as much as the others. But, he wants to reserve judgement until we've watched the yet-to-be-released DVD a dozen times or more, like the rest of our Pixar collection. ;)

[dvcconvert]

Just as a data point--box office gross is now about $ 83 Mn


Edited to update-as of 06/18 close of business: $ 114 Mn

[Dennyha]

DW and I went to see Cars last night. I liked the movie, and I'm glad I went to see it, BUT I was a little disappointed. I guess I have such high expectations for a Pixar film, and generally the Pixar flics meet my expectations. While it was a nice movie, I would have to rate it last among Pixar movies. Again, it wasn't bad, just not as good as all of the other Pixar movies before it.

[lllovell]

I haven't seen it, but my children and hubby have and from their reaction, it was fantastic! I will be interested to see where your poll goes with it!

Laura

[Lisa]

We went to see it on Sat in a digital theater. We all enjoyed it, my DH (car guy) the most. I rated it high on the pixar movie list but it might be influence by the butter popcorn I was eating! (and the sharp digital theater experience)

1 Nemo - this can be watched over and over and over- loved by all
2 Cars - I'm not a car person but married to one. I really liked it and he Loved it.
3 Monsters - I just love Sully
4 Incredibles - liked the story but a bit too much violence
5 Toy Story
6 Toy Story 2
7 BugsLife - my least fav.

[Rozzie]

I'm with Tim, I wasen't blown away. (then again, I was wrestling with a 2 yr old during the last 30 minutes) The credits were hilarious though! :laughing:

It is so hard for me to rank Pixar, as I just adore Toy Story 2, Nemo, and Monster's, but here it goes.....

Toy Story 2
Monsters Inc
Finding Nemo
Toy Story 1
The Incredibles
Bugs Life
Cars

I did like the movie, and will rank it above anything another studio puts out. The animations were incredible. I guess I wasen't emotionally involved (except the town part, that was touching) and thought it was really predictable. JMHO though! Pixar still rules!! ;)

[ErinC]

Saw it today with my Mom, 3 daughters, and 3 nieces(age range 3-15). They all liked it, although I think the older kids enjoyed it more. The 3 year old went to sleep. Not sure that the 6 year old "got" it. I loved it. I think DH will really like it.
Here's my list

1) Nemo
2)Toy Story 2
3)Toy Story
4)Monsters Inc.
5)Cars
6)Incredibles
7)Bug's Life

Again, all of them are better than the other studios out there. I can honestly say that when I saw the trailer last year, I thought the movie sounded stupid. As it got closer to the opening of the movie, it looked better. I was really pleasantly surprised today.

[brandip22]

Well I am a NASCAR fan, and we LOVED it! DS loved it, too. He's almost 4 and it's his favorite as of now. I can't even get him to watch most of the others anymore, so who knows when it'll change to the newest one! But, it is my favorite right now- Nemo is close at second, though for me.

[pouncingpluto]

I really enjoyed it, and that's saying something, considering that the subject of cars and NASCAR is a turnoff to me. Pixar did a great job! I'd put it at about the middle of the pack for Pixar.

[PoohsPal]

Finally got to see ift Friday. While I liked it a lot, it didn't have the pull of the others. Still a great movie IMO, but not a great Pixar/Disney movie. I'd only put Bugs Life beneath it. That was was good too, but I have no desire to see it again. I would watch Cars again.

[RweTHEREyet]

We saw Cars this weekend, and we enjoyed the movie. We did feel it was very slow the first half and that the last half was really neat. I do rank it last of all the Pixar movies, though, because I enjoyed each of the others so much more. Hubby commented on the reflections off the cars, too, he thought that was great animation. I thought the scenery was incredible.

[DSNY FN]

I really enjoyed it, and that's saying something, considering that the subject of cars and NASCAR is a turnoff to me. Pixar did a great job! I'd put it at about the middle of the pack for Pixar.


I have to agree with your point about NASCAR it just has a persona of the redneck sporting event sorry everyone that is just how it comes off to me. Now I love cars in general but when it is about racing then the racing should be Rolex Le Mans series type of racing or F1 racing or Rally racing nascar drives me nuts just going around and around in circles all teh time. I guess I just don't see the attraction to that I just find it boring but alas teh movie had much more to it than the racing side and that made the movie I loved the story about the forgotten town and what Lightning stood for in teh beginning and that was the fast paced lifestyle the lets get it done like yesterday and the town showed him that that wasn't what life was about and that he needed to slow down and smell the roses so to speak it was very well done and I plan to buy it when it is released on DVD.

[gopherit]

Our whole fam saw the movie last week (me, DH, sons 11 and 9, dd6), along with MIL, BIL, and his 2 yr old DS. THe animation was good - Sometimes I think Pixar is just "showing off" with their animation skills, I swear - how they can make a digital image leap out at you like that - like the scenery, or the reflections - just amazing. You forget you're watching animation at all.

That said - I found the story line a bit too predictable. And when my dd told me she had to go potty at what should have been a big "turning point" in the movie, I was oddly not that upset to miss it - I think it dragged in the middle like a saggin' tailpipe. As a NASCAR watchin' family, we loved the subtle (and not so subtle) inclusions of various racers, and ol' Darrell saying his usual race day repertoire (how do you spell boogedy boogedy anyway? Is that it, LOL?) Of course, that just left my kids asking where Jeff Gordon and some of the other racers were, LOL. I had to wonder if a non-NASCAR person would gt nearly as much out of it. I know a non-PIXAR person might not - my MIL had no idea why DH and I were laughing so hard at the end clips with Ratzenberger. Having just seen Over The HEdge, I asked my kids to tell me which they liked better... two out of 3 said Cars... (my own little Hammie the Squirrel said Hedge, of course!)

Of all the PIXAR flicks, we would rate them like this:

1) Toy Story 1 & 2 (TIED) But maybe give the nudge to TS 2, because when you can make the sequel as good as - no, even better - than the original, you have REALLY accomplished something!

3) Finding Nemo - I saw this by myself late one evening on a business trip in a nearly empty theater. I totally felt like I was submerged with the characters. Plus, I confess an affection for Australia, having lived there for a year.

4) Cars - (only barely above the bug)

5) A Bugs Life - I only rate this lower because the animation in Cars is so stunning. Frankly, I think the story line of Bugs is more original. actually hate to place Bugs 5th, because we really did love this movie. I really kind of draw the line here, though, in terms of picture quality...

6) Monsters Inc - I have no issue, however, putting this 6th. I never did care for this movie that much. Can't explain why.

7) The Incredibles - And this one was never on my hit parade either. Kids watched the DVD once... and now it gathers dust. I think the reason I didn't like it was that I guessed the story line at the very beginning, and that it was a bit too violent. Yes, yes, I know - what could be more violent than someone's mom being eaten by a barracuda, or a character being mangled in Sid's room, or being squished by Hopper... but it was, to me anyway. Maybe I'm just not a big superhero fan. Or maybe it's just that Holly Hunter's voice REALLLLLLLY annoys me. Something.

[pouncingpluto]

1/2 Monsters Inc. and Incredibles
3 Nemo
4 Toy Story
5 Toy Story 2
6 Cars
7 Bug's Life

[TW1]

Sure Pixar is oustanding as others have posted. Its almost better than real.

But my basic problem is making a car the whole point of a movie. Sure we love it when animals talk and I can't get enough of talking toys or even monsters.

But talking cars? I think this is where I'm thrown off with this movie. It is really difficult to sit through two hours of acting cars.

I had this memory of another disappointment - The Brave Little Toaster. Like Toaster, Cars just doesn't do it for me because these types of inanimate objects are not loveable like animals, toys and monsters. Even in Toy Story the talking parts are limited to animal and humanoid figures, the Etch-a-Sketch does not talk, for instance.

Anyway, the voices were fun, the animation is stellar, but it definitely middle of the pack. I even went home and watched Bugs Life with DS and, while it is not a great movie, it holds up well against Cars.

[Muushka]

I have to agree with your point about NASCAR it just has a persona of the redneck sporting event sorry everyone that is just how it comes off to me. Now I love cars in general but when it is about racing then the racing should be Rolex Le Mans series type of racing or F1 racing or Rally racing nascar drives me nuts just going around and around in circles all teh time. I guess I just don't see the attraction to that I just find it boring but alas teh movie had much more to it than the racing side and that made the movie I loved the story about the forgotten town and what Lightning stood for in teh beginning and that was the fast paced lifestyle the lets get it done like yesterday and the town showed him that that wasn't what life was about and that he needed to slow down and smell the roses so to speak it was very well done and I plan to buy it when it is released on DVD.

Oh my......:confused: I cannot add anything to this observation about NASCAR.......:(

However, I can comment about the actual topic, Cars!!! Being a redneck NASCAR fan, I did appreciate all the humor regarding that sport. But I honestly did not care for the movie itself. As others commented, it sure did drag in the first half. I fell asleep a few times. The last part at least kept me awake! But the clips that they showed during the credits were the best part of the whole movie. And believe me, I am a huge Pixar fan, just did not care for this one too much.

[Disneymooners93]

Saw Cars a couple days ago. Went in thinking this one would be the weaker of the Pixar movies. It may be once I put my order together, but that doesn't mean I(we) didn't enjoy it. We thought it was great but it is up some very tight competition.

1 - Toy Story
2 - Incredibles
3 - Bug's Life
4 - Toy Story 2
5 - Monsters Inc.
6 - Cars
7 - Finding Nemo

Okay, I guess that's it.

[gopherit]

Hmmm, another NASCAR fan here, although I take issue with my neck color, LOL - even if I did spend the 3rd of July out in the Southern sunshine, I used my sunscreen! I do think that an appreciation for NASCAR helps you enjoy this flick - I'm not sure my MIL had any clue why DH and I were laughing for example at the #8 car "Junior", or Darrel Cartrip saying, "Boogedy boogedy, let's go racing", or much of the movie's NASCAR references. So I wouldn't be surprised if someone who didn't follow car racing didn't get as much out of the flick. THat said, I do agree it draggggged worse than a dropped tailpipe in many spots. And interesting point about inanimate objects being made into focal points. (I know it's not PIXAR, but Grandmother Willow in Pocahontas always creeped me out...) I think maybe that's why the end of the movie was so funny, though - when they turned the tables and made EVERYTHING "cars", LOL. I guess I was just wondering why they left out Nemo... couldn't they come up with a car-theme for that, showing Ratzenberger again when he does the impressions for Dory?

What I have found most amazing about this thread, however, has not been where folks placed "Cars" -- I am stunned by where most everyone is placing "The Incredibles". So many of you rate it so highly... as I noted before, for me it was too predictable and the characters unappealing. My kids weren't in awe of it either - I think our family watched the DVD once, and it has gathered dust ever since. Only nice thing I can say is that for once, it showed a hubby AND wife - Pixar seems to love the singles scene, even with parents (never saw a dad in TSI or II, saw mom for 5 seconds before she got eaten in Nemo, and who knows who sired Princess Atta, LOL.) I guess it's just an interesting display of different movie tastes for different folks, eh, but looks like I might be in the minority on that one!