Disney Pixar vs.
Dreamworks Animation
When you think of animation movies, two names stand out: Disney Pixar and DreamWorks Animation. Big franchise hits such as Toy Story and Shrek have made them the leaders of animation, making them seemingly rival studios.
Pixar's original and creative ideas paired with their refined and character-driven storylines made them an animation powerhouse. Pixar developed plots that made children, as well as adults, laugh and cry, creating a sentimental element. They took almost childish thoughts, like "What if toys were actually alive?" and "What if monsters were real?", (Toy Story and Monster’s Inc.) and brought them to life. This established an emotional connection with viewers, allowing children to experience their fantasies and adults to relive their childhood. DreamWorks, on the other hand, has always had a hard time building an emotional bond with viewers. In How to Train Your Dragon, Hiccup's social outsider status makes a weak attempt at an attachment with the audience. Po's feeling of inadequacy is smothered by the "kung fu fighting" (Kung Fu Panda), and Marty’s wish for wide, open spaces is quickly replaced by the quest back home (Madagascar). The emotional connection is abandoned for the thrill of adventure and action.
Though they might not have an emotional bond with the audience, DreamWorks sells its courageous spirit. Pixar has always taken something big and condensed it (usually to form a deeper connection). In WALL-E they took a giant, cosmic adventure and made it about one robot in one specific place. Other examples include Ratatouille (which primarily takes place in one restaurant), Toy Story (main setting is one bedroom), and Cars (takes a character out of the vast world and sticks him inside a tiny town). DreamWorks does the exact opposite: they turn small stories into enormous ones. In How To Train Your Dragon, the troubles of one boy grows into a world full of dragons. Other examples include Over the Hedge (the problems of a small group of animals encompass a whole neighborhood), Kung Fu Panda (a fight between a master and his student ends up tearing down mountains and villages), and Monsters vs. Aliens (huge monsters fight gigantic aliens).
When people compare Pixar and DreamWorks, Pixar usually comes up as the victor. It’s because of this set perspective, this self-proclaimed axiom, that the public directs their attention to Pixar, waving off whatever DreamWorks puts out. Because of Pixar’s previous success with Toy Story, DreamWorks’ own debut: Antz failed to meet the new standard and achieve the same glory, establishing a not-so-flattering first impression. Furthermore, Pixar’s debut was followed by consistent hits, such as Toy Story 2, and originals, Monsters Inc. and Finding Nemo, that continuously demonstrated the ingenuity that Pixar was known for; whereas DreamWorks’ follow-up was less consistent and less successful with The Road to El Dorado and Chicken Run. And although their grand slam Shrek was victorious, it later deteriorated into a pitiful franchise that did not help with the fight against Pixar.
Though success can be defined by the quality of their films, it can also be measured in the box office. In 1995, Pixar released their first animated film: Toy Story. Since then, they have released thirteen films, most of them receiving glowing reviews, and seven of them earning Academy Awards for the Best Animated Feature. Moreover, every one of their fourteen releases has been successful in box office, averaging $600 million in worldwide grosses per film. In 1998, DreamWorks released their first animated film: Antz. Since then, they have released twenty six films, most of them receiving subpar reviews, and picked up the first Academy Award for the Best Animated Feature. Furthermore, their twenty seven films have an average of $400 million in worldwide grosses per film. Overall, Pixar has done better in the box office.
Pixar has given us unforgettable films that have consistently won our hearts, earning many awards and doing very well in the box office. Providing us with steady flow of original material, you could say that there was a time where Pixar was the pinnacle of storytelling. However, in recent releases, Pixar’s steady flow may be slowing. In the past, it was DreamWorks that spit out countless sequels, trying to squeeze every last penny out of toy sales and other merchandise, rather than create authentic tales and stories. Now, it is Pixar, who were once the very opposite of concept, that has entered the domain of the lackluster sequel. On the other hand, DreamWorks has continuously given us adventure after adventure, never losing momentum. This might just be the opportunity DreamWorks has been waiting for.
Disney Pixar has touched our hearts and made an unbreakable connection to their films and the messages they convey. DreamWorks Animation has always fueled our inner child, that bold and daring fire inside of us. Which one is superior? Only time will tell.
Pixar's original and creative ideas paired with their refined and character-driven storylines made them an animation powerhouse. Pixar developed plots that made children, as well as adults, laugh and cry, creating a sentimental element. They took almost childish thoughts, like "What if toys were actually alive?" and "What if monsters were real?", (Toy Story and Monster’s Inc.) and brought them to life. This established an emotional connection with viewers, allowing children to experience their fantasies and adults to relive their childhood. DreamWorks, on the other hand, has always had a hard time building an emotional bond with viewers. In How to Train Your Dragon, Hiccup's social outsider status makes a weak attempt at an attachment with the audience. Po's feeling of inadequacy is smothered by the "kung fu fighting" (Kung Fu Panda), and Marty’s wish for wide, open spaces is quickly replaced by the quest back home (Madagascar). The emotional connection is abandoned for the thrill of adventure and action.
Though they might not have an emotional bond with the audience, DreamWorks sells its courageous spirit. Pixar has always taken something big and condensed it (usually to form a deeper connection). In WALL-E they took a giant, cosmic adventure and made it about one robot in one specific place. Other examples include Ratatouille (which primarily takes place in one restaurant), Toy Story (main setting is one bedroom), and Cars (takes a character out of the vast world and sticks him inside a tiny town). DreamWorks does the exact opposite: they turn small stories into enormous ones. In How To Train Your Dragon, the troubles of one boy grows into a world full of dragons. Other examples include Over the Hedge (the problems of a small group of animals encompass a whole neighborhood), Kung Fu Panda (a fight between a master and his student ends up tearing down mountains and villages), and Monsters vs. Aliens (huge monsters fight gigantic aliens).
When people compare Pixar and DreamWorks, Pixar usually comes up as the victor. It’s because of this set perspective, this self-proclaimed axiom, that the public directs their attention to Pixar, waving off whatever DreamWorks puts out. Because of Pixar’s previous success with Toy Story, DreamWorks’ own debut: Antz failed to meet the new standard and achieve the same glory, establishing a not-so-flattering first impression. Furthermore, Pixar’s debut was followed by consistent hits, such as Toy Story 2, and originals, Monsters Inc. and Finding Nemo, that continuously demonstrated the ingenuity that Pixar was known for; whereas DreamWorks’ follow-up was less consistent and less successful with The Road to El Dorado and Chicken Run. And although their grand slam Shrek was victorious, it later deteriorated into a pitiful franchise that did not help with the fight against Pixar.
Though success can be defined by the quality of their films, it can also be measured in the box office. In 1995, Pixar released their first animated film: Toy Story. Since then, they have released thirteen films, most of them receiving glowing reviews, and seven of them earning Academy Awards for the Best Animated Feature. Moreover, every one of their fourteen releases has been successful in box office, averaging $600 million in worldwide grosses per film. In 1998, DreamWorks released their first animated film: Antz. Since then, they have released twenty six films, most of them receiving subpar reviews, and picked up the first Academy Award for the Best Animated Feature. Furthermore, their twenty seven films have an average of $400 million in worldwide grosses per film. Overall, Pixar has done better in the box office.
Pixar has given us unforgettable films that have consistently won our hearts, earning many awards and doing very well in the box office. Providing us with steady flow of original material, you could say that there was a time where Pixar was the pinnacle of storytelling. However, in recent releases, Pixar’s steady flow may be slowing. In the past, it was DreamWorks that spit out countless sequels, trying to squeeze every last penny out of toy sales and other merchandise, rather than create authentic tales and stories. Now, it is Pixar, who were once the very opposite of concept, that has entered the domain of the lackluster sequel. On the other hand, DreamWorks has continuously given us adventure after adventure, never losing momentum. This might just be the opportunity DreamWorks has been waiting for.
Disney Pixar has touched our hearts and made an unbreakable connection to their films and the messages they convey. DreamWorks Animation has always fueled our inner child, that bold and daring fire inside of us. Which one is superior? Only time will tell.
"You are a sad, strange little man." |
"I'm ten years old. My life is half over and I don't even know if I'm black with white stripes or white with black stripes!" |
“I never look back, darling. It distracts from the now.” |
"That's right, fool! Now I'm a flying talking donkey!" |
"I shall call him Squishy and he shall be mine and he shall be my Squishy." |