Our Second Set of Features: Pixar Movies

We're back in front of the big screen to take a look at some of the best animated movies of all time (at least in my opinion!). Pixar has done an amazing job with their movies, and many of them not only offer great entertainment, but also a moving and inspiring story. From their website (http://www.pixar.com/), here's a list of their movies:

• Toy Story
• A Bug's Life
• Toy Story 2
• Monsters, Inc.
• Finding Nemo
• The Incredibles
• Cars
• Ratatouille
• WALL-E
• Up
• Toy Story 3 (Coming soon!)

I would share my top three favorite ones with you (that I've seen so far--which is all but Toy Story 3), but I think I'll have to make it my top four favorites! (And even then it's hard to choose because they're all so good!)

Toy Story 2 is a keeper for sure! Part of the reason might be because my sister loved this movie so much when she was a little girl, and we just had to see Jessie when we went to Disneyland. She also carried around her little Woody doll at Disneyland, which was adorable! But besides that, I love this movie because it shows the importance of living in the present and enjoying every moment of time we spend with our loved ones.

This movie has a stellar cast for the voices, and it's such a classic! I love the song that Jessie sings ("When She Loved Me"), even though it's bittersweet. Overall, I just love Toy Story 2!

Finding Nemo is another favorite of mine. What beautiful animation, and what a beautiful story! With moments of hilarity and moments full of emotion, this movie really is moving. I personally love Crush and Squirt (and if you don't know who these characters are, you really must see the movie!).

I also love the lesson of learning to let go and trust those you love, as hard as that can be. Although the characters in this movie are sea creatures, this lesson is so applicable to all of us. Even though we as humans aren't perfect, worrying and holding each other back won't do anyone any good. I love when Marlin tells Dory, "I promised I wouldn't let anything happen to him," and Dory replies, "You can't let nothing ever happen to him, or else . . . nothing would ever happen to him!" (Or something like that.) This life can be full of adventure, and God can use us for good if we let Him (and if we don't hold back!).

When I first saw previews for Cars, I thought it was going to be a children's movie that wouldn't be very entertaining for teenagers and adults. Was I ever wrong! I watched this twice in theaters, and I've seen it many more times on DVD. Pixar animation always seems to get better and better! This movie, with its emphasis on community and living a simple life, is wonderful. I love the setting of a small town along Route 66! So fun!

One of my new favorites is Up. I saw this movie the night before (I believe) my 18th birthday. The main character reminds me to some extent of my own grandpa, and I love how the movie is not only focused on this older man, but it portrays him as able to be strong.

Up makes me cry every time I see it, especially the parts that have to do with the story of the main character and his wife. This is a touching movie that shows the importance of embracing the past, but then moving on and living life and loving others. It also shows how the memories we make aren't contained in the possessions we have, but rather in our hearts and how we live. This is such an excellent movie!

I would recommend any and all of the Pixar movies, and I'm hoping to see many more in the future! How about you? Any favorite Pixar movies?

(Pictures are from the Pixar website.)