Pixar is in Big Trouble.. (artist's rant)

Summary

In this video, the creator dives into the recent failure of Pixar’s *Elio* at the box office, focusing on the lack of marketing and the shift in the studio's animation style. The video critiques Pixar's recent designs, comparing them to the iconic characters of earlier films, and discusses how the new style feels generic and unmemorable. The creator highlights how other films like *Spider-Verse* and *Puss in Boots: The Last Wish* have raised the bar in animation, while Pixar’s recent offerings fail to capture the same magic. It’s a call for Pixar to rediscover its creative edge, blending both style and storytelling.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pixar's new movie 'Elio' has faced the worst box office opening for a Pixar film.
• 😀 Many people attribute the film's failure to poor marketing, with some claiming they didn't even know the movie existed.
• 😀 There's criticism of Pixar's recent animation style, which some viewers describe as lazy and unappealing, particularly the 'bean mouth' and 'Play-Doh' style.
• 😀 Some people believe Pixar's newer style resembles 2D animations like those in Steven Universe, but it's less effective in 3D.
• 😀 The complaint is not about 3D animation in general, but that Pixar's newer 3D characters lack the unique and iconic designs that made earlier films like 'Monsters, Inc.' and 'Finding Nemo' memorable.
• 😀 A key criticism is the loss of cultural representation and distinct character designs that were prominent in earlier Pixar films like 'Coco'.
• 😀 The animation style change in Pixar films started after 2020, beginning with 'Luca' and continuing in 'Turning Red', 'Elio', and others.
• 😀 Critics point out that newer Pixar characters lack strong, recognizable silhouettes, making them harder to identify and less memorable.
• 😀 The visual appeal of Pixar films like 'Elio' and 'Turning Red' is seen as less engaging, particularly for adult audiences, compared to movies like 'Spider-Verse' and 'Puss in Boots: The Last Wish'.
• 😀 The speaker expresses disappointment with Pixar's current direction, hoping that the studio can return to its former creative success.

Q & A

Why is Pixar's movie 'Elio' getting negative attention?

Pixar's movie 'Elio' received negative attention primarily due to its poor box office performance, marking the worst opening for a Pixar film. This has sparked discussions about its marketing, animation style, and overall appeal.

What is the main criticism of Pixar's recent animation style?

The main criticism of Pixar's recent animation style revolves around its character designs, particularly the 'bean mouth' and 'Play-Doh' body style. Viewers feel that the art style is lazy, unappealing, and lacks the cultural depth and creativity seen in earlier Pixar films.

How do the new Pixar films differ from their earlier works in terms of character design?

The newer Pixar films, starting from 2020, feature simpler and less distinctive character designs compared to earlier works like 'Toy Story,' 'Monsters, Inc.,' and 'Wall-E,' where each character had unique, iconic designs that were easily recognizable.

What did the speaker mean by 'losing the sauce' in relation to Pixar?

'Losing the sauce' refers to Pixar losing its edge and creativity in recent films. The speaker suggests that Pixar's newer art style and character designs have become uninspired, compared to the distinctive and memorable designs of earlier films like 'Coco.'

Why do some people believe that marketing alone wouldn’t have saved 'Elio'?

Some believe that even with better marketing, 'Elio' wouldn't have done well because its art style is unappealing to a broad audience, particularly adults. The film’s visual design lacks the depth and iconic appeal of earlier Pixar characters.

What role do 2D animations play in the perception of Pixar's art style?

Many viewers argue that the 'bean mouth' style works better in 2D animations, where quirky and exaggerated designs are more acceptable. However, when translated into 3D animation, the same designs feel out of place and lack the same charm.

What is the difference in visual appeal between Pixar's recent films and movies like 'Spider-Verse' and 'Puss in Boots: The Last Wish'?

Movies like 'Spider-Verse' and 'Puss in Boots: The Last Wish' are praised for their dynamic, visually compelling character designs and unique animation styles. In contrast, Pixar's recent films, such as 'Elio' and 'Turning Red,' are seen as lacking distinctiveness and visual appeal, especially in character design.

Why does the speaker believe Pixar has been 'too comfortable' with its art style?

The speaker believes Pixar has become 'too comfortable' with its art style because they haven't adapted to the growing competition in the animation industry. They argue that Pixar was once known for pushing boundaries in character design, but now seems to be using the same unremarkable style in their recent films.

How does Pixar’s new style impact the appeal of its films to adult audiences?

Pixar’s new style is criticized for lacking the visual depth and maturity needed to engage adult audiences. In earlier films, the character designs were not only visually appealing to children but also interesting enough for adults to enjoy. The newer films fail to maintain this balance.

What example does the speaker give to illustrate the issue with Pixar’s character designs?

The speaker points to characters from 'Elio,' 'Turning Red,' and 'Luca' as examples of uninspired design. They argue that if you obscure the silhouettes of these characters, they become indistinguishable, showing a lack of creativity and distinctiveness compared to earlier Pixar characters.