The Toy Story thrillogy…
[quote="xCarsLuverx":1szm3p4a]Maybe that’s part of the reason people hate the Cars franchise…
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It’s also the reason why you like Cars so much. Everyone has bias.
Well, having favorites and less favorites at all is bias in itself. Opinion is bias. I’m just saying that the most influential/defining Pixar film can’t just be your favorite, because then…there wouldn’t be one. Because if everyone just says their favorite, then nobody can really decide the proper answer, because honestly, most of them are pretty popular. Period. But this is about the most well known, attributed to Pixar film that will leave a mark on the Earth for the rest of humanity.
I wanted to say that, but you nailed it already… 
Me, or EJE?
You. Why?
I just wasn’t sure who you meant, that’s all. 
I voted Toy Story because it really defined the studio, showed what pixar is about and set the bar for Pixar films.
I voted Toy Story 2. Yeah, I’m sort of stealing the idea from what Ed Catmull said in The Pixar Story, but it’s true. There have been at least 4 Pixar films that have needed a major overhaul, and this had to have been the hardest. While Toy Story will always blow me away, this film is proof that darn good quality work can always be achieved if you just work for it. Toy Story 1 & 2 will always be my top favorite movies of all time, and I think it’s because the effort that was put into them at the beginning of Pixar’s fame shows in how great the movies are.
I’m not sure if I originally voted this, but I believe it’s Toy Story. Toy Story is the heart to Pixar. It may not be the most technologically amazing film, and if it’s the best artistically or story wise is up for debate. But this movie definitely put Pixar on the map. (Which of course existed before this film)
This is such a big question to answer, but I like it.
I personally am going to have to say Toy Story 2. It feels a little odd using a sequel for my choice, but I suppose that just demonstrates even more about Pixar. I feel like in terms of story, sequencing, character development and just that overall special something, Toy Story 2 demonstrates “the Pixar effect” maybe best of all.
^I think that makes sense. Especially because the film introduced Bullseye and Jessie.
I agree with the general consensus. Pixar was defined from its very beginning, with Toy Story.
You could also argue, that Pixar’s defining film was actually Luxo Jr, as it already showed the characteristics that went to define the studios for years.
I didn’t even take Luxo into consideration, but that makes sense. The opening logo has Luxo Jr in it!
I’m going with Nemo because I think it was technically their best. Amazing animation, great story, wonderful soundtrack. It was the right mix of emotion and humor, and certainly had the appeal to all ages. Not that the others dont, I think they all do. I think its popularity helped bring them more into the public eye and helped cement them as an animation powerhouse. I know I didnt take much notice of them before Nemo. I watched their movies of course, but it was Nemo that catapulted me from casual observer to rabid fan
I can understand where you’re coming from, lennonluvr9. As Andrew Stanton said, it was one if the biggest leaps into the drama genre, even for Pixar. Spirit is also right about Luxo Jr. being Pixar’s defining film; that’s probably why it’s my favorite Pixar short. I say that any of the Toy Story films are Pixar’s defining films; the third one for it’s depth and darkness (the darkest in my opinion), or the second one for continuing the feel of the first film, or the first film for setting the bar in the first place. Toy Story or Toy Story 2 would have my vote.
I have to agree with LQstudiesPixar and Spirit - Luxo Jr. is Pixar’s penultimate film. It may not be a feature film, but it’s the film that shook the world by storm. If you have read The Pixar Touch, you’ll see how important it was - not only from its technological feats, but also from a storytelling perspective. It gave a blueprint on how anthropomorphism is a powerful emotional device to use in storytelling - and I think it paved the way for Toy Story, A Bugs Life, Finding Nemo…
In terms of feature films, each of them seriously have their own defining moment, technologically and in terms of cinematography. (And no, that’s not an excuse to get out of voting in the poll! 
)
Ooo, I need to reread The Pixar Touch!
EJE - It’s definitely a worthy read! (I “read” it on audiobook, it was worth the money.)
I have it! I just havnen’t read it again since high school. Too long. I have another animation book I need to read first.