12. Monsters University
Suffering the same fate as Cars but to both a greater and lesser degree due to their respective predecessors, Monsters University isn’t necessarily bad film, but it’s a bland one and, most critically, forgettable. Much of Pixars magic has been derivative of how lasting these characters are such as Woody, Buzz, Dory and Mr. Incredible. Monsters University would have been fine had it not been a follow up to Monsters Inc., one of the more innovative creations of the Pixar talent hive. It’s hard to think these versions of Mike and Scully could possibly be the same ones as the ones in their first feature. Author – Ally
11. A Bug’s Life
So how does one top one of the most acclaimed and groundbreaking animated movies of all time? For John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton, the plan was to think smaller….much smaller. A Bug’s Life is another “dreamer becomes a hero” story, so it’s not exactly original. Like most good Pixar movies, A Bug’s Life excels with likable characters and an interesting universe. The scrappy flea circus gang have enough likable voice talent to make them all have memorable scenes and the movies supplies enough physical comedy to drive it all home. A Bug’s Life may be the most underrated of the Pixar canon and it certainly deserves a second look. Author- Jon W.
10. Ratatouille
Pixar movies work a strange magic. I enjoy most of each film, taking in the eye-pleasing animation and letting out a few laughs without fail. But I don’t really love the movie until that one special moment that usually happens around the end. Ratatouille’s magical moment is when something simple can warm the heart of the coldest critic. There are many important messages that Ratatouille aims to convey (all successfully), but when a classic French peasant dish is served and makes the snobbiest and most pretentious man melt, my heart gave a leap and this movie cemented its place as an all-time favorite. Because when you’re ambitious and want to make your mark on the world, it’s a nice reminder that it’s the little things that can move the biggest mountains. Author – Gaby
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9. Toy Story 2
A perfect example on how to make a sequel, Toy Story 2 took what worked about it’s predecessor and built on it. Bringing in the character Jesse gave the series a whole new thematic well to dip into, with a backstory more tragic than any of the toys thus far. Action packed, gleefully working on viewers nostalgia and beautifully animated, Toy Story 2 might not tap on the emotional core that connected the third in the trilogy so strongly to millennial viewers, but it had enough laughs and even tears to still be a worthy marker between the beginning and end of the story. Author – Ally
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