5. Monsters, Inc. Is One Of Pixar's Best
You can bet the Academy would rather forget the 2001 Oscars. Im not complaining about A Beautiful Minds stomping victory on that cold February night, but rather the disgrace that was the first ever Best Animated Picture award; on the night, Shrek walked away with the golden baldie. Now Shrek is a very funny, smart film that hasn't dated as bad as expected, but the effect it has had on the animated genre, turning even the most kind hearted of franchises into gurning pop culture reference spouters, is deplorable. On the other hand, Monsters, Inc., its closest rival (theres no way Nickelodeons Jimmy Neutron could even come close), has had nothing but a positive influence, paving the way for increasingly emotional family films and a constantly endearing story. Coming back to the big screen this winter in 3D on the back of Monsters University, the film feels as fresh today as it did eleven years ago. At the end of the day, Monsters, Inc.'s brilliance lies in it being a metaphor for Pixar itself. Coming out of the rigid, imagination lacking industry (eighties era Disney) to be a fun, free thinking place; the ending scene showing the work floor is quite close to the laid-back, open plan nature of the modern Pixar building. Suddenly a squealing gingerbread man doesn't seem so cool.