Name The Pixar Movie By Looking At the Opening/Closing Scene!
- by Mark Gillespie
- – on
- in Movies and TV
It's pretty amazing to think of a world where there were no Pixar movies. I mean, can you imagine how less enriching all of our lives would be without Buzz and Woody, Dory and Nemo, Mader and Lightning, Sulley and Mike Wasowski, and even Flick the ant? Yeah, I can't either. But if it seems like Pixar has been around forever the truth of the matter is that the studio has only been making movies since 1995, when the very first Toy Story hit theaters around the world. That's less than 25 years folks. To put that in perspective, Paramount Pictures was founded in 1912 and MGM in 1924. Longevity is not what has made Pixar so successful.
No, what's made Pixar the creme de la creme of the movie-making world are two things. One, the studios proprietary animation technology is the absolute best in the world. And two, the storylines and characters its writers, designers, and directors come up with are sometimes pure genius, often borderline brilliant and always highly entertaining.
So even though Pixar hasn't been around for very long they are most assuredly here to stay. Let's talk a look back through the first twenty-plus years of the studio's existence and see how well you remember each and every movie, from the mega-hits to the little guys. You'll have to be on your toes though, because I'm only going to give you a quick peek at an opening or closing scene from each movie. To infinity and beyond!
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
Back in the day Pixar occasionally had some movies that weren't outright giant hits. I honestly don't know how- everything they touch seems to turn to movie magic, but it's true. This one is one of those examples. In fact, the movie only made $360 million so in some inner circles I'm sure it was considered a total flop. It's great movie though, with yet another "small-town guy" has to travel to the big city to save his home trope going on. the cast was incredible- I didn't even remember that Julia Louis-Dreyfus was in the cast- now that's cool!
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
There are a couple different times near the end of this film where it seems like the movie is going to end without positive resolution. The first time I saw it I kept asking if they were going to end it like that because they already had a sequel planned. They didn't- not yet anyway- and ultimately the movie ended as it should have, with everyone back safely in their home, even the collection of misfits who broke out of "prison" to make their escape to their natural surroundings.
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
Since you're gonna be looking at opening and closing scenes of hugely (immensely!) popular movies with instantly recognizable characters I'm not gonna take it easy on you folks this time. You'll have to figure out which movie it is using your native intelligence and investigative techniques. Our first movie, then, came out in 2012 and was a little bit different from most of its predecessors. The main character was pretty tough and took no guff, if you know what I mean.
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
This one has always been one of my favorites. I guess its themes of environmental awareness and the dangers of getting everything you ever wanted instantaneously really speak to me. That or the incredible empty worlds the animators designed are just too cool to ignore. There aren't very many characters in it so the storyline has time to build slowly. It's definitely a min-masterpiece from the studio and made almost $600 in box office receipts. I'm not sure how much people think about it now, less than 10 years after its release.
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
And here's one that is beloved by adults everywhere, especially those who enjoy reverie and nostalgia for their movie beginnings. Again, that tidbit may not help too much- Pixar films basically helped usher in the age of animation where supposed children's movies are actually embedded with sly jokes and references that only the parents are gonna get. It's common practice now but back in the day when Disney animation was pretty much the only game in town that sort of thing didn't fly.
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
How about I jog your memories with a little movie that came out way back in 2004. One of the main characters was rather down on himself for his choice of career while another main character had to spend a lot of his time pretending he really wasn't what he actually was. There was also a very cool and funny fashion designer bit that made for a great little scene in this flick and foreshadowed the demise of the bad guy.
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
Some movies become classics over a long period of time as more and more critics and moviegoers realize just how great they are- think Citizen Kane for starters.. Some have a long and productive life as a cult hit, like The Big Lebowski. and some are simply monster smashes right out of the gate. You can count this particular adventure-movie in that last category. All three of the lead characters are searching for something, albeit quite different things, and in true Hollywood blockbuster fashion they all find what they were looking for.
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
It's funny but this movie in some ways hasn't completely stood the test of time as well as you might have thought it would. Now don't get me wrong- it's not because the movie itself isn't great (it is) but because so many other Pixar movies that came after it appeared to up the ante so much. One character's emotional storyline of how one deals with friends who abandon you was fraught with power, especially when some of that characters scenes were powered by Sarah McLachlan's tunes. Then there was the ridiculous antics of the rest of the gang as they tried to save themselves from the baddie.
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
I'm just assuming that if I were to list all the voice talent from this 2007 release you would know right away what it was- it has a stacked cast. So I'll just quietly mention that it has both Janeane Garofalo and Ian Holm in it. What a strange juxtaposition that is? Usually those two wouldn't be trying to appeal to the same audience at all! Here's another weird nugget about this movie- the director/writer interned at the French Laundry to research this role. If you know what the French Laundry is then you know how cool that must have been!
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
Pixar has always been very good at coming up with memorable characters. Not just ones who work well in their own little universe but ones whose appeal is universal. They are also really, really good at imbuing their characters with emotional resonance and depth. That's a pretty impressive achievement, considering all of their characters are computer generated 3D images! This time around our young hero grows up idolizing the members of the profession he wants to be in and desperately trains to make it in that field.
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
When this movie came out a lot of people thought it was a reach for Pixar. The question was asked whether (and even "why?") anyone would even want to invest themselves in a bunch of characters who weren't even "human." There was also the little fact that the main character was initially less than likeable, shall we say. However this highly anthropomorphized film ended up doing quite well for itself and Pixar. Quite well. If you don't believe me go to any Walmart or Target toy section right now.
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
There are lots of Pixar movies that explore the fears and phobias of the main characters. And why not- it makes for good storytelling after all. There are also a lot of Pixar movies that feature adorable little kids doing adorable little kid things. Well, this particular release has a little bit of both those things. That and a slithery bad guy and a main character who can't stop cracking jokes made this one a huge winner. There are also a few sly references to the filmmakers who inspired the movie thrown in there for fun.
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
I'm not sure how many Pixar movies take place in a "historical" time period but this one sure does. In fact, I'm not sure how many Pixar movies take place in any kind of "real" timeframe at all. Most of them seem to inhabit our world in real or current time but they also seem to very much be in their universe as well. Or a parallel one at the very least. This one might be one of the most obviously "in our world" of the bunch.
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
This particular Pixar movie came out in 2011 and was bookended by a whole slew of other Pixar sequels and/or franchise-based releases. It made some interesting choices stylistically as it followed in the footsteps of many classic film noir flicks and also paid homage to one of the longest running adventure franchise out there- one that started in the sixties and is still going strong. It was also the first Pixar movie, as far as I can tell, to feature a gunfight. It still got a G rating so I must just be a crotchety old man.
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
When you've got a good thing going on stick with. That should definitely be a Pixar motto, as they have no problem making sequels (I hear Toy Story 4 is already in the works). They also have no problem stretching out the time between franchise releases. Most studios want to get that sequel out like the next day but Pixar will wait years before greenlighting a sequel. But anyway, I digress. This one is a more recent attempt to capture some Pixar magic in a bottle, if you know what I mean.
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
I love this movie. Love, love, love. I love how all of the main characters have to band together to face an outside threat. Well, actually mostly an inside threat and in a small enclosed space that is very active both day and night but you get get what I mean. I love the bad guy and his gang of ragtag henchmen who don't really seem to always share his agenda. I love the main character who dances for the first time. I love the bittersweet ending. In fact, I think I'll go watch it now.
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
What's not to love about a movie where you get to see the earliest incarnation of the bad guy and then get to see his evolution and how the good guys may have had an unwitting hand in turning him to the dark side. There's also the fun of watching the two main characters figure out how to relate to each other. That's the real attraction of this 2013 release, not the whole host of minor characters who live and compete with the main characters.
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
The main character in this movie is totally obsessed with one thing, which makes sense because he's a member of a species that is always totally obsessed with that one thing and will go to any length possible to get it. On the other hand, this character, voiced by a former regular on the King of Queens, doesn't actually want what everyone else he knows wants in the same way as them. Nope, he wants to create, he wants to be an "artiste." It's been awhile since I've seen this one- I didn't realize it was already about 10-years-old!
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
Now this one is a bit of an outlier in the Pixar world.I remember seeing it in the theaters a few years back and mostly enjoying it but I didn't even realize it was made by Pixar. The animation wasn't quite in the usual mold of a Pixar movie, which often have a recognizable style. Perhaps that explains why its story of two outsiders from different cultures, both of whom have lost their families, but befriend one other, wasn't a big box office smash. Not that it lost money- Pixar don't play THAT game.
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
Denis Leary is in this particular feature. I find that weird. I mean, I know lots and lots of big-time actors have made voice-appearances in Pixar movies and lots and lots of unknowns have to. But Denis Leary? It just seems like that's not the guy you want voicing a character for a kids movie. I wonder how many takes he had to do to make this character fly? The man, after all, does have a legendary potty mouth. It's pretty funny too that he plays a "lady."
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
Did you know this Pixar movie was named the Seventh Best Movie of the 21st Century So Far" by the New York Times? I'll bet you didn't. But I'm also willing to bet that you, your mom, your goldfish and anyone else I could think of saw this movie. It made $900 million and broke all kinds of opening weekend box office records for an original film. It was also a critical darling, particularly for the novel and empathetic way it dealt with complex psychological and emotional issues.
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
This was one of two Pixar movies released in the same year awhile back. It seems like that might happen often but it has actually only happened once ever. I know- weird, right? I thought Pixar did multiple releases all the time. apparently not. The storyline to this one was a little depressing, as our main character had an scary early scene reminiscent of the Lion King. His journeys bring him into contact with a world both challenging and rewarding.
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
Here's one of the all-time great Pixar releases, one that spawned a whole host of classic characters and Halloween costumes galore. It even revived the careers of some games and products that had been lying dusty and dormant on store shelves or in the back of closets for years. I remember the first time I saw it I was amazed at how cool the central premise was. I think every kid had always wondered about that premise but it was cool to see the idea come to life, if you know what I mean.
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
How many of you out there have seen every single Pixar release? Yup, that's what I thought- you can all put your hands down now. Now, how many of you out there have seen every Pixar release multiple times, including the old school and lesser well-known ones? Yes, believe it or not there are a few lesser well-known ones, if you consider them lesser well-known in the way the Stones are less well-known than the Beatles. anyway, everyone but everyone has or will have already seen this more recent release of a major Pixar player by the time I finish writing this entry.
Which Pixar Movie Is It?
This movie is a big favorite with little kids everywhere. That's probably not much of a clue though, is it? All Pixar movies are big hits with little kids everywhere, after all. It came out in 2011 and was directed by John Lasseter. I don't know if that will help you much either- John Lasseter has directed like a billion Pixar movies... In case you were wondering, Lasseter is now worth about $100 million, is the Chief Creative Officer Animation Division at Disney/Pixar and owns his own winery. Hope that helps!