The oldest Millennials were just getting drivers' permits and the youngest were just being born when Toy Story became the first fully computer animated feature film. Since then, a progression of Pixar films have defined Millennnials early movie-going years in the same way Sleeping Beauty and Sound of Music defined mine. A post on Saturday by WhiteBoardMania blogger, Boomaga, reveals and articulates this generation's deep affinity for the Pixar 'brand'.
I’ve already got my ticket to see it, but it’s more than just a chance to go see a movie. It’s a chance to be that happy little kid again, sitting in the theater and not having a care in the world, if only for an hour and half. I’m the living 24 year old incarnation of Randall Graves from Clerks. I’m about as far as he is in life when it comes to relationships, career, income and most of all, cynicism. I spend most of my time listening to caustic, angry music. I do not have what I would consider high job satisfaction. I’ve been to 6 Phillies game this season, and they’ve only won one of them. Everyone is stupid to me and I’ll always be the first to notice or anticipate someone’s faults before their benefits. And yet, for the last few years, about once a year, I’ve been able to feel wonder, imagination and amazement like I did 10, 15 or 20 years ago. It’s hard to see the beauty in the world around me with my daily disappointments and frustrations, whether internal or external. However, when the film rolls and the Pixar lamp hops across the screen, I’m transported out of my life to a variety of truly magical worlds without me realizing it until the movie is over.
Pixar's latest, "Up", scored big at the box office this weekend -- $68 million, the third highest for any Pixar film and more than twice as much as "Night at the Museum" according to the WSJ. Mark Zoradi, president of Walt Disney Motion Picture Group says "Up" shows broad age appeal: "It was as strong with kids aged two to 11 as it was with adults both under and over 25. We think we've got a movie that's going to play across all demos." The twitter buzz for #UP is bursting with enthusiasm.
Other than its coincident timing, consistent quality, and fine storytelling, what is it about Pixar films that connects and engages so well with Gen Y?
If you have been reading this blog you can probably guess what I am about to posit: Pixar has perfect pitch when it comes to Millennial values, and may even have had a hand in shaping them. Each Pixar film expresses the abiding importance of family relationships ("Finding Nemo", "Up") and friendships ("Bugs Life", "Toy Story"). They are innocent without being naive, and rely heavily on evocations of childhood wonder ("Wall-E", "Up", "Ratatouille"). They are relentlessly optimistic about the human condition, reminding us of our better natures and what we can achieve if we only stick together; sentiment without schmaltz.
Okay. I think I know what you are thinking: What makes those MILLENNIAL values? After all, are those timeless qualities? Of course. But Millennials are young enough to still believe in them. Only time will tell if they will grow more cynical.
Somehow, I don't think so.
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Your comments have bumped this to next on my movie-seeing list. I'll share my comments when I've seen it!
ReplyDeleteOne of my pet peeves involves people who comment on books they have not read, or movies thye have not seen. In the spirit of full disclosure, I have not seen UP, but still feel a need to make a brief comment. (Note to Carol - I'll see it this weekend; I can even walk to the theater!) So I am - sort of - on quasi firm ground.
ReplyDeleteI did, however, see the trailer when I saw "Every Little Step" - which I also recommend.
One of the characteristics of Millennials I have observed is that they don't suffer fools gladly when it comes to ineffective authority figures. However, they do have a deep appreciation for a mentor that they respect and from whom they can learn. It seems from the trailer that such a relationship exists between the boy and the older man. Please don't spoil the story for me - I'll check out my hypothesis this weekend. Your blog rocks!
I remember reading an NYT article about how "Up" was going to tank in the box office because it lacked a female character, young boys won't identify with the little boy scout, and it was far too artistic. The numbers seem to now negate that article.
ReplyDeleteHowever, my comment is about the notion of "millennial" values. As a millennial deeply involved in community development and organizing I have to say that regardless of our extremely difficult times and economic crises these "millennial" values are bursting forth across generational lines. I more often see older community members embracing dreams for a greener, community driven future and my classmates living in their parents' basements while working at local resturants.
I think there are no specifically "millenial" values because the absence of youth does not mean your dreams are thrown out the window. I think there is a process of experiencing the world, maybe failing a little, and realizing again that those basic "millennial" values (that we are all taught in kindergarten) seemed to work. The problem is that the notions and expectations are mired in our current broken system.
Alex: Thanks for a thought provoking idea. yes, they are basic, but Millennials seem to have embraced them to a greater degree. They still believe, and I agree that their enthusiasm will be infectious. Gen Y values will become 'our' values, another reason to study them.
ReplyDeleteI think the breakdowns of current systems that have not embodied these values and qualities are pushing everyone to embrace these "millennial" values. It just so happens that my generation has watched the failures of dog-eat-dog, me first, capital driven structures.
ReplyDeleteI think you make a problematic assumption that millennials are still young enough to believe in these values. Are you saying that millennials are naive and that we don't understand the world just because we are still young?
Another defining aspect of millennials is that we have grown up with the world in our laps: global terrorism in our classrooms, the information super-highway at our fingertips, and more opportunities to travel abroad than any other generation. Many millennials have had the privilege of experiencing the harsher realities of the world and remain dedicated to making them better.
My 22-year old son, a Millennial, is a huge fan of Pixar. He talked me into seeing Up with him and I loved it. I think maybe the reason that millenials love Pixar is they are the best at using new technology in their films.
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