I watched Frozen with my kids over the Christmas break. It was hands down the best Disney Movie they have produced in decades. Why? Because the story was compelling. One of the most frustrating things that Hollywood does is make movies where they throw a bunch of animated animals on the screen saying a few random jokes and expect us to clamor. Why was Frozen so compelling? It wasn’t just a bunch of animators saying look what we can do. It was a compelling story that was supported by great animation.
I was blown away that Disney had somehow remembered how to tell a good story, until I saw that the Executive Director of the film was John Lasseter. John is the Chief Creative Officer of Pixar. What most people don’t know is that Pixar was a computer hardware company that hired a guy named Ed Catmull in the early 1980’s who built a team including an unknown former Disney animator named John Lasseter to work on creating short films that would aid in the selling of Pixar computer hardware. Catmull was undeterred he had a dream to produce a full length feature film that was created via computer animation. He had a long way to go.
Pixar would become a sensational success, but not at all according to an ordained plan. Pixar was a hardware business, a software business, and a digitally animated TV advertising company before it became a full-length feature film company. Ultimately, it was the audacious vision of one of the key members of the Pixar team that ultimately prevailed.
Critically, the short films also allowed Pixar to continue to develop its means, including the company’s digital animation expertise, reputation, brand, and ever-improving technology. They also continuously developed the ability to tell a good story. Each short became more emotionally nuanced and graphically realistic as Pixar built increasingly sophisticated software. These progressively developed technology and storytelling means were what convinced Disney to partner with Pixar to make Toy Story. It was that partnership that then provided the additional financial, production, and distribution means that Pixar needed to accomplish Catmull’s vision. As Price learned, “It was the quality of this body of work, rather than old-boy connections or an isolated break, that had made Pixar the front runner once Disney became interested in the medium [computer animation].” Pixar had finally gained enough storytelling, technology, and animation means, as well as the necessary insight into the problems they wanted to solve. Little Bets: How Breakthrough Ideas Emerge from Small Discoveries by Peter Sims
Pixar animation struggled from the start to survive and overcome the still rudimentary looking animation computers provided they had to learn to tell good stories. Why Pixar became such a massive success was primarily because they told good stories that allowed them the time they needed for technology to catch up to create imaginary that matched the stories they were telling.
Here is where this hits home for the church. In our kids ministries and youth ministries we get obsessed with doing ministry with the latest technology, apps, iPad check-in, lights and video content. What I am wondering is not how cool are your gadgets but rather how good are you at telling stories.
good post Sam. Frozen was awesome!
Thanks JC appreciate you.
Well said. I agree that so many times the story line is lacking in movies and in our lessons. Thanks for the reminder!
Lindsey thanks for your comment. I agree. We need to fight for clear compelling story lines.
A compelling review Sam, well written, thanks!!
I don’t view many animated-animal films.
But you’ve got me going on this one 🙂 ~Rob
Thanks Uncle Rob.
It’s all about the story telling… (and disciplemaking, but note how Jesus told stories in that process) Been saying it for years and won’t stop. I’ve been to multimillion dollar facilities that are boring kids (and not changing lives), and I’ve been to the inner city where cardboard boxes and chalk boards were all they needed… for they had story tellers that brought the Bible to life!!
Always remember, Jesus had nothing that plugs in and He did pretty good!
Karl thanks for the comment. Good stories don’t need any help absolutely. In my opinion it’s not technology that keeps Christians from being good story tellers it’s their obsession with happy ever after and lack of conflict. Appreciate your perspective.
Good word Sam! So, if I’m not good at telling stories, how do I get better? Do you already have a post on that?
Thanks Jared. I haven’t blogged that perhaps I should. Hey if you have time I would love to get your feedback on a post I just did on the gospel and fairy tales.
2008’s Tangled was a much better story and better film overall. Frozen is somewhat overrated. The story is a little simplistic and the music, with the exception of Let It Go, forgettable.
I disagree. Tangled was very good but it followed a more traditional fairytale story of true love. I loved how in Frozen for the first time in a cartoon that I can remember they highlighted sacrificial love over love at first sight. I also loved how they pointed out that our actions have a much further reach than we realize. The music was much better in Frozen. We play the soundtrack every day. I can’t remember one song from Tangled. Lastly being mostly Norwegian I’m grateful my girls have a Norwegian princess. Thanks for your thoughts Dean.
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