41. The Quotes
"In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations, the new needs friends. Last night, I experienced something new, an extraordinary meal from a singularly unexpected source. To say that both the meal and its maker have challenged my preconceptions about fine cooking is a gross understatement. They have rocked me to my core. In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain for Chef Gusteaus famous motto: Anyone can cook. But I realize, only now do I truly understand what he meant. Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere. It is difficult to imagine more humble origins than those of the genius now cooking at Gusteaus, who is, in this critics opinion, nothing less than the finest chef in France. I will be returning to Gusteaus soon, hungry for more".
Anton Ego, Ratatouille
42. The Music: You Got A Friend In Me
http://youtu.be/XHFy3YWpRx8
43. Making Disney Sequels Credible Again
Sadly Disney's forrays into sequels have hardly been profoundly successful, to say the least. Somewhat unthinkably sub-standard films like The Hunchback of Notre Dame 2, Hercules 2, The Fox and the Hound 2 and the terrible Lion King and Aladdin sequels were allowed to be released under the famous Mouse House banner, polluting the Disney brand and completely disregarding the original films in a quest for some easy money. Since Pixar came on board at Pixar, and John Lasseter moved up to take charge, things have changed, and the only sequels released now are valid in their own terms. And long may it continue.
44. Animated Outtakes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtXpQwlIBLY It might seem like an obligatory inclusion in animated films now to have outtakes playing over the final credits, or as part of the blu-ray (possibly hidden under that awful other title the "Gag Reel"), but not too long ago, Pixar pretty much invented the whole affair. So that's creating fresh material in order to simply give the audience a bit of a laugh. Brilliant.
45. Advancing The Talent
Look through the crew lists of Pixar films and the same names tend to crop up time and time again. But rather than indicating an incestuous relationship, that trend shows the studio's commitment to finding talent within, something that was confirmed when Lasseter confirmed that he considered the short films as a sort of proving ground for the directing talent of the future (though this is yet to come to fruition after two notable false starts). That commitment breeds comfort, and a mutually beneficial stability that will hopefully see the continuation of the brand into future projects in the hands of those who understand exactly what it is to be Pixar.