The Pixar Story (Leslie Iwerks, 2008): USA

One of the highlights of the festival this year, for me, would have to be The Pixar Story. The Pixar story was more than just a short documentary about how and why Pixar is what it is. It is an extremely well edited (nominated for Best Edited Documentary from American Cinema Editors, USA) glimpse into the world of 3D computer animation and story creation. I was fortunate enough to be introduced to the film by the director, editor and writer, Leslie Iwerks and had an amazing Q+A with Brad Bird (director of Ratatouille, The Incredibles and Iron Giant). Both offered that little extra bit that led to the loudest, longest applause I was a part of in any event at the SBIFF this year.

The documentary begins with that incredible Pixar animation we are all use to and slowly transitions between that formulaic documentary type filmmaking we expect. The interesting part comes when we are shown footage from around 1980, when John Lassester is entering the Pixar building for the first time, with an obvious hunch that what he was doing would some day be seen by thousands of people. It’s quite weird to hear someone from the past talk directly to the ‘future’ and John Lassester seems to have a time machine. Pixar is no stranger to incredible sound tracks either; with Ratatouille being nominated for best original soundtrack it was no wonder that The Pixar Story also had a well-produced score that deserved an applause of it’s own.

The documentary included footage of actors such as Tom Hanks and Tim Allen discussing how they came about to play the voices of Woody and Buzz. While they also included footage of the original sound stages and crude character drawings with what would be the actual voices later. Quite an interesting thing to see, I must say. The character voice creation process is really quite interesting and until now, I had no idea how it worked.

One of the most important scenes comes when the topic of the elimination of conventional 2D animation is brought about. At first it seems as though Pixar is here to wipe the 2D market right out of the Disney studios for life, than views are quickly shifted for films such as Persepolis. Brad Bird and John Lassester seem to know their roots and have nothing but respect for the format of animation that has been around long before they have and pay their dues quite nicely. After this scene it is safe to say that 2D animation is not going anywhere any time soon.

I found nothing wrong with The Pixar Story. From beginning to end I am satisfied and well content with that I learned and was still entertained during the scenes discussing matters I already had an understanding. That, I believe is what merits a good documentary. Being able to entertain, enlighten and educate it’s audience from start to finish. There are other Pixar documentaries around, but I suggest you make an effort to see this one. It truly stands in a category by itself when it comes to Pixar.

-Keith.


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