I’m not sure how I feel about them going on the dreaded sequel route (although I am anticipating Monsters, Inc. 2, but that could change once I find out who’s directing it). Some of their upcoming features sound pretty interesting. Really though, where I think the deciding factor in Pixar faltering or soaring is the new line of directors. They’ll always have talented storyboard artists, animators, etc., but the directors for the first 10 films were all so magnificent!
Take Studio Ghibli, for example. They had Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, two major figures in animation, direct the majority of their films, and thus a handful were masterpieces. But then both directors started to age and knew they would have to seek out fresh talent to pass down the torch, and Kondo Yoshifumi showed fantastic promise with Whisper of the Heart (which could easily be mistaken for Miyazaki’s work) until he sadly died of a brain aneurysm. So then Miyazaki continued directing, possibly with a hint of reluctance, and two new directors stepped in: Horiyuki Morita with 2002’s The Cat Returns (I think it’s underrated but it’s not usually ranked as one of their strongest features) and Miyazaki’s own son, Goro. The latter, as some of you may know, directed Tales from Earthsea, which is without a doubt the worst received Ghibli film of them all.
So really, I think what Pixar needs to focus on–and I’m sure they’ve done plenty of that already–is finding new directors. With Bird and Stanton going off to direct live-action films, and I have no idea if they’ll be coming back to Pixar to sit in the director’s seat once again, it worries me. I love the idea of them working with another medium, but I want to see great Pixar films, too! My guess is that John Lasseter is done with directing feature films, but his new work is pretty important, so I’ll allow it. And what the HECK is Pete Docter up to? Nine years passed between the two films he directed for Pixar. =( I wonder if he’ll be directing Monsters, Inc. 2 (!!!).
Man, this has been a loooong post. I’m not trying to be a Negative Nancy so much as I am having a critical eye, but what’s with some of their new (reputed, that is) director choices? Cars, while a pretty good flick, is my least favorite Pixar film of them all, and its sequel is being directed by a producer with apparently no experience aside from a short featurette on the Ratatouille DVD (which didn’t have much of a story, so I have trouble applying the style to a full-length feature). If he’s the next great director at Pixar, then awesome! But I can’t help but be doubtful, you know? Also, I hear that Lasseter is now co-director of that film. Interesting, verrrry interesting.
There are just a handful of things that may determine Pixar’s future reputation and almost spotless resume: their first fairy tale (and female-fronted, too!), two more sequels, new directors, and a rigorous release schedule. I was very intrigued by the story for Newt, so I’d like to see that come back if it will be of Pixar quality. Oh, one more thing. Bob Peterson already has a crucial role at Pixar in the story department, but I’d be thrilled to see him direct one of their films.
Aaaaand done.