5. The Wilhelm Scream
In my first entry in this ongoing series of easter eggs in big blockbusters,
I showed my distaste for the recurring in-joke the Wilhelm scream. It was so obvious and well known that to use it nowadays seems lazy. But since then it seems Hollywood have listened to my complaint (or Ive grown less cynical, although I prefer the first option), because its not only become a more hidden element of the films, but it actually works. The scream hasnt appeared in many Pixar films, which helps in its hidden nature here. When Mike takes up the job of floor sweeper, he ends up distracted by revision and sweeping up a few monsters along the way, one of whom has a very familiar squeal. For those not in the know, the Wilhelm scream comes from the film Distant Drums, but is named after an unfortunate character from The Charge At Feather River who yelps the soundbite after being hit by an arrow. It was only in 1977, when Ben Burtt reused the effect for a falling Stormtrooper in Star Wars that it became popular. Although still Burtts joke, its now used by filmmakers of all types.