Top 5 Disney Pixar Movies

For those of you who have never seen a Disney-Pixar movie, you probably fall into one of two categories: you currently live under the biggest rock on the planet or you have no human emotions. Pixar Animation Studieos has teamed up with The Walt Disney Company for the past 16 years making amazing computer-animated movies, and have released a movie almost every year. All of the Disney-Pixar films are great for both kids and adults, but here is a list of the top five Disney-Pixar films if you've never seen any of them. This list also works if you have seen some of them and want to watch another.

1.Toy Story 3(2010): Now I may be a little biased because I grew up watching the Toy Story movies, but this is by far the best movie that Disney-Pixar has ever made. "Toy Story 3" takes place roughly 10 years after the first film (see #4) and Andy is going to college, leaving his toys with a difficult decision. It definitely helps if you've seen the previous "Toy Story" films but you won't be lost if you haven't. What makes this film the best is not only the superb animation but also how it achieves every possible emotion a human can manifest. You'll laugh at the pop culture references and the nods to the previous Toy Story Films (remember Buster and Wheezy?). You'll be sad at the mention of Bo Peep and Emily. And you will be bawling your eyes out of bittersweet happiness at the ending (don't worry I won't blow it). The human element that connects with every age group is rare for a movie, let alone an animated one, but it is for that reason among many others that makes this the #1 Disney-Pixar movie.

2.Up (2009): When this movie came out, no one really knew what it was about other than a house with a lot of balloons. What you didn't see in the previews was the absolutely amazing color and animation, as well as an amusing story which I think appeals to adults more so than kids. Mr. Frederickson is a widowed, retired balloon salesman who still hangs on to the house he and his wife bought. He's also your typical grumpy, old guy who does have a heart under all the grunts and wrinkles. On a whim he decides to fly to South America and discovers he has an uninvited passenger. If you aren't crying in the opening sequence of the movie, you should check your pulse to make sure you are alive. But even if the movie starts on a relatively sad note, it will get you laughing in no time, and keep you laughing the rest of the time.

3.Finding Nemo (2003): Who knew that fish are friends and not food! This story involves a clown fish named Marlin and his son Nemo who has a bum fin. Nemo gets taken by divers and is brought to a dentist's office tank. The movie bounces back and forth between Nemo's adventures in the tank and all the characters Marlin runs into while trying to find Nemo. The best character is Dory, a forgetful but kind blue tang fish who has a bit of a short term memory problem. What makes this movie so cool is not only that children can relate to Nemo and adults can relate to Marlin, but also that the flowing water and waves look so real that you may forget that it is animation. I've seen this movie a zillion times and I'm still not sick of it. Seriously.

4.Toy Story (1995): You can't mess with the original Disney-Pixar movie. Although the animation is not as good as it is today, this movie was the first Disney Pixar film and redefined animated movies in general with its unique computer imaging. Woody, the favorite toy of young boy Andy, gets a little jealous when Andy gets a new toy named Buzz, who comes with lasers and karate chop action. The creativity of the story, the humor, and characters are amazing. And don't even get me started on the animation. Creating an entire movie out of computer imaging was unheard of before this movie came along. It also helps that the plot has some depth to it as well. Shows why this film has stood the test of time, as far as animated films go.

5. WALL-E (2008) and The Incredibles (2004): This is a tie because both these movies are so distinctly different from one another. "WALL-E" takes place in the future where Earth has been so piled with mountains of trash that all humans live on a spaceship. "WALL-E" is a trash compacter on Earth who has a lot of personality despite the fact that he doesn't really have that much dialogue. He doesn't really need to talk because he says volumes with his mannerisms and expressions. This movie has a lot of heart and discusses an emerging worldwide problem ( obesity ) without being preachy, which I found sobering and appropriate for a kid's film. "The Incredibles" involves a family of superheroes trying to fit in with everyone else. Bob, however, just can't seem to let go of his glory days. Trouble ensues. This movie not only had some great references to all your favorite super heroes, but appealed to the family unit and all its members, from Dad and Mom to the competitive son and boy-crazy teen girl. I loved how it shows a family for what it is, even if they have super powers. Definitely one to watch with the kids.

If these movies still leave you wanting more, here is a complete list of Disney-Pixar movies.