Generation Pixar

The first Pixar movie was Luxo Jr (1986). It lasted all of two minutes, and it featured an animated version of Pixar founder John Lasseter’s desk lamp… Which is why a bouncy little lamp is the Pixar logo.

The idea that a film studio might define the quality and characteristics of the movie bearing that logo disappeared in the 1950s with the demise of the studio system. But starting with Toy Story — the first fully computer generated animated feature — in 1995, Pixar has proven an exception to this rule. That little lamp is a hallmark for beautifully rendered digital features of rare wit and emotional maturity.

Already, in that first Toy Story, you can see the dynamism and the finesse CG can supply. Just as importantly, the team seemed inspired across the board. If the characters in Pixar movies are more vivid than in Disney or Dreamworks, and if the stories are more original, richer, and more fun, that’s because the writing is better. In Generation Pixar we celebrate the achievements of the company’s first years, a run of 11 extraordinary features which left an indelible imprint on children either side of the millennium — and their parents!

Our series includes family matinees and evening shows for each movie, a live music show of Pixar tunes performed by Matt Grinke’s Happiest Jazz Quintet on Earth, a trivia night, and expert intros.

— Tom Charity, VIFF Centre Year-Round Programmer