With thirteen films so far, Pixar continues to create films with fun, intriguing characters. That includes the latest one, BRAVE, with Princess Merida. So in her honor, I thought I’d expand my list of FIVE Favorite Pixar Characters I did a couple of years ago, and expand it to 10.
The beauty of Pixar movies is how wonderful the characters are. They’re so well-written and tug your heartstrings, it’s amazing how we could ever care so much about a bunch of toys, a waste-eliminator robot, or a one-eyed green monster. Within mere seconds into a Pixar movie, I’ve become so emotionally-invested in them right away that make the viewing experience so worthwhile. They’re even more affecting than a lot of real human characters in a life action feature.
I didn’t rank them on my original list, but after much deliberations, I decided to do so this time. Yes it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it 🙂
Anyway, I’m going from number 10 all the way to my ultimate favorite:
10. Russell (Up)
No matter what mood you’re in, it’d be hard pressed not to be captivated by this 8-year old kid’s endearingly exuberant charm. Determined to obtain his final badge to become a Senior Wilderness Explorer, the chubby munchkin ends up being swept off his feet (literally!), up, up and away with Carl in his balloon-hoisted house. Nothing seems to dampen the kid’s buoyant spirit. He and the gloomy and disillusioned makes an unlikely pairing that’s as odd as they are delightful.
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9. Remy (RATATOUILLE)
You’d think that the idea of a little rat in a kitchen to be kind of gross, but leave it to Pixar to make Remy, the rat who dreams of becoming a great chef so endearing. Despite being raised in the slum and eating garbage all his life, Remy likes things gourmet style.
If you are what you eat, then I only want to eat the good stuff.
He somehow ends up in Paris, the city full of celebrated culinary heroes, including Remy’s own, Auguste Gusteau. As fate would have it, he forms an unlikely friendship with Linguine and together they made the most of Remy’s culinary talent. It’s enough to make me wish I have a creature like Remy to help me cook around the house, though preferably not in the form of a rat, ahah.
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8. Rex (Toy Story)
The hilariously hysterical t-rex is a minor character but every time he comes on, it’s always a hoot. Remember the Jurassic Park nod in TS2 during the car chase in the toy barn? ‘Object is closer than they appear‘ Ha! He’s supposed to be menacing but Rex is such a wimp that gets agitated by even the slightest hitch, but I love him best when he starts squealing like a little girl.
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7. Dory (Finding Nemo)
The blue tang fish that steals every scene she’s in is voiced by the inherently likable and goofy Ellen DeGeneres. From the moment Nemo meets Dory, something is just a little off. Soon we realize she’s suffering from short-term memory loss, which makes for a one riotous scenario after another. Dory delivers the biggest laughs and her compassionate and gentle spirit makes you wish she’s your best friend. There are too many favorite scenes of Dory but when she imitates the whale with that slow, deep voice I just about fell off my chair.
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6. Buzz Lightyear (Toy Story)
Starting out as a main rival turns BFF, the spaceman action-figure is the perfect complement to Woody even if Buzz’s delusional self sometimes exasperates his more-grounded friend. The Tim Allen-voiced character initially thinks he’s the real Buzz Lightyear, not a mere toy like the rest, which explains his extra gung-ho attitude that’s so fun to watch. I thought the duel scene with Darth Vader-like Zurg at the end of the first sequel was my favorite scene of Buzz, but no, it’s when he’s accidentally reset and becomes the Spanish Buzz that had me in stitches. The pent-up feelings he has for Jesse is now on full display as he’s become unabashedly romantic Don Juan. The tango sequence with Jesse is priceless and sooo much fun. Te quiero señor Buzz!
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5. Flik (A Bug’s Life)
Firstly, I love Dave Foley, he’s just so cute and funny in Kids in the Hall and News Radio, so maybe that’s why I took immediate liking to Flik. Foley’s voice just naturally suits the geeky, bumbling, but ever-so-endearing protagonist. The ‘engineering-minded’ ant always wants the best for his colony by trying to come up with his various inventions (i.e. a dew telescope, automatic harvester, etc.), though they often end up with disastrous results. But as his BFF Dot will tell you, he’s really a nice guy who really is just trying to help. Like Dot says, “you’re weird… but I like you.”
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4. Princess Merida (BRAVE)
No, I didn’t put down Merida simply because she’s the first Pixar fairy tale princess. I put her here because I LIKE her. The spunky redhead who rivals Katniss and Robin Hood with her bow and arrow is just sooo much fun to watch. Forget Rapunzel, Merida’s glorious orange-red curly hair should earn her best movie character hair of all time, and not just in animated features.
I like her adorable Scottish accent (natch!), her wide expressive eyes, and most importantly, her personality. Like Katniss, Merida is strong-willed, independent and a capable heroine, she doesn’t need her Prince to define who she is, but at the same time, she’s not an annoying know-it-all. If she were real, I’d LOVE to be her BFF 😀
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3. WALL-E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter – Earth Class)
In my original list, I put Wall•E in the honorable mentions list but he really should’ve been in my top 5.
I’m not ashamed to admit that this movie not only make me tear up, but I was practically sobbing! The small trash compactor robot that barely said a word is so affecting that within minutes of seeing him on screen, I want to run over there and gives the lonely robot a big hug. In a dismal, silent post-apocalyptic world, Wall-E is a beating heart that gives such hope amidst all the gloom and doom. When he falls for a far more advanced robot Eve, he goes to great length to woo her. Believe it or not, it’s a genuine love story that is as heartfelt as any human connection.
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2. Mike Wazowski (Monsters Inc.)
Oh, who doesn’t love the one-eyed monster, voiced with wisecrackin’, smarty-pants sensibilities by Billy Crystal. He’s got more expression with his one giant eye than most characters with two. His green round shape is quite possibly the cutest, most adorable Pixar creation yet, not to mention his toothy grin. And he’s charming and smooth, too, just as Celia Mae (Jennifer Tilly), his girlfriend with Medusa-like hair and high-pitched voice. The minute he sang, “you and me… me and you… both of us togethaaa…” I’m done for! LOVE ya Wazowski!!
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1. Woody (Toy Story)
The leader of the pack of Andy’s toys and the emotional core of the franchise, Woody the Cowboy is just so darn likable. That’s why you got someone like Tom Hanks to voice him and let his playful personality shine. Woody is funny, caring, optimistic, and wise almost to a fault. And he’s fiercely loyal, too, even as much as he loves his college-bound owner, he’s torn to be separated from his buddies and a trait he’s carried with him from the beginning of the movie until the very end of the franchise. No wonder he’s Andy’s favorite toy, because there ain’t no Toy Story without Woody!
I have to include this video of Tom Hanks explaining the process of doing voice work of Woody in the Graham Norton show. It’s absolutely hilarious and makes you really appreciate his voice work even more.
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Special Honorable Mention:
The BRAVE redheaded triplets!
Do I even need to explain? Just look at them! If you have seen Brave, then I’m sure you’ll agree there’s no denying how adorable these three lil’ buggers are. They steal every single scene they’re in, I don’t even mind Pixar doing a spin-off or short movie just with these triplets alone!
Now your turn! Vote below for up to THREE favorite characters. Feel free to select ‘OTHER’ if your pick(s) aren’t listed and let us know which ones they are.
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The best thing about casting your vote first? At least at that one moment, your characters will be in the lead! LOL
Which ones did you vote for, Fogs? There are already 5 votes by the time I checked. Woody & Buzz??
Woody, Buzz and Carl from Up. 😀
That tom hanks vid was very funny 😀
I know! It had me in stitches every time I watched it. I just had to post that one, glad you enjoyed it.
What a fun list. There are a few Pixars that I desperately need to see- Monsters, Inc. and Finding Nemo. I’ve loved all the others I’ve seen.
I mentioned it earlier this week in the Anti Film School review of Up- I can’t even think of Dug and his “SQUIRREL!” gag without laughing. If you’re a dog lover, Dug kind of captures everything you love about dogs.
My 5 year old nephew has a serious obsession with Lightning McQueen, or “Queen” as he called him for a few years. So that character will always have a soft spot for me.
Oh I think you’ll LOVE Monsters Inc and Finding Nemo. I mean Mike Wazowski is just a hoot, voiced perfectly by Billy Crystal.
Oh yeah, Dug and his ‘Squirrel’ gag made me laugh too! I’m not as in love w/ UP overall as other Pixar flicks, but there are indeed some really funny parts in it.
I could possible chose 10 favourite characters from a single Pixar movie. That’s how much I love Pixar. I’ve already cast my vote and then just remembered the 3 Aliens from Toy Story. I would have voted for them too. “The Claw……” just cracks me up!
Hi Asrap, that’s awesome!! So who did you vote for if you don’t mind sharing? Oh yeah, those 3 green aliens are indeed very funny!
Mr. Incredible, Wall-E, & Dory. jakdeth72 below just reminded me about Edna Mode. I would have totally gone for her! The fact that she’s voiced by Brad Bird makes it even more impressive.
Wow, that Brad Bird is one multi-talented dude, I didn’t know he voiced Edna Mode!
Hi, Ruth and company:
I went with ‘Other’ and the Parr family. Half the magic in animation is mating the right voice to the character and ‘The Incredibles’ has that in spades!
Also like how Bob can toss a transport pod about a quarter mile. And Helen’s Elastici-Girl can stretch forever. Then glance at her tush in a mirror.
Brad Bird’s fashion designer, Edna ‘E’ Mode RAWKS!
Oh yes, Edna ‘E’ Mode is a fabulous character, as fabulous as her design. I love that she was inspired by Edith Head, a celebrated Hollywood costume designer who’s won 8 Oscars!
I have to throw in with Edna Mode as well. The Incredibles is probably my favorite movie on here and Edna is such a cool tribute to one of the greatest Old Hollywood designers. Edith Head started working in silents and continued into the 1980s. Plus, I’ve been told I say a lot of those same things, without the accent of course 😉
She does have that iconic look about her, I especially LOVE her hair, that shiny, sleek bob is awesome!
Edna Mode is one of my all time favourites from Pixar! I would have loved to have been in the room to see Brad Bird doing the voice for her!
Oh yeah, wouldn’t that be awesome!
Awesome post! I haven’t even seen Brave yet but I vote for Merida, because honestly I’m never excited about animated movies but this one I just can’t wait for. She is so gorgeous! I’d love to live in that lovely, mystical universe with all the magic around and green color everywhere.
Woo hoo, glad that you did, Sati. Oh you’re in for a treat for BRAVE. I know some critics didn’t love it but I think it’s wonderful. I’ll be writing a review of it tonight. That world they created in the Scottish moor is absolutely magical.
Must admit I’ve always preferred animated films from other studios since I don’t find most of the Pixar’s films appealing, but I did vote for Merida, since she seems like something Disney or DreamWorks would create!
Merida is one awesome princess Dezzy, you’ll adore her! Thanks for voting.
I’ve gotta go with WallE, Dug and Russell.
Great choices, Ian!
Not really a Pixar fan, but I liked Violet from The Incredibles, which has been far and away the best Pixar I’ve seen.
Glad there’s at least one Pixar movie you like Sam 😉
For me, it’s most definitely Woody and Buzz. I lump all the others together.
Ahah, fair enough 🙂
The only Pixar movies that I have really enjoyed are the Toy Story trilogy and Wall-E, so naturally they get my votes. 😀
You should watch more Pixar movies, man 🙂 But anyways, glad you’ve seen some of their best work.
Haven’t seen Brave yet (I plan to as soon as my current round of work is over this week!), but as soon as I saw Woody on this list – I sometimes forget how much I love him! And Buzz and Wall-E! Great idea for a list, Ruth!
Hi Ruth! Hope you get to see BRAVE soon, I think it’s enchanting and sooo funny. Glad you like the list.
Since I didn’t him on the list, I voted others, I love Dash from The Incredibles and the villain Syndrome. But I also thought Russell and Buzz were pretty great too.
Sounds good Ted, thanks for voting.
It seems like I am going to see this afterall…Flowers of war only appears in Midnight and now no longer exist 😦
Shame on Indonesian cinema!!!
Will see if my friend want to see Brave too.
My favorite pixar Characters would be Wall E, Toothless (is How to train a dragon one of pixar’s? I could never tell the different which one belongs to which studio) and that blue hairy monster in monster inc (I forgot his name)
Bummer! That’s too bad Nov, that’s weird that it got yanked out after only appearing on midnight showings.
Hope you enjoy Brave, it’s not a typical Princess movie. Oh, Toothless is from Dreamworks, but yeah I love him too, sooo adorable. That blue hairy monster is Sully 😀
Wall E, Eve, and Woody for me. Do love those little aliens from Toy Story as well though.
Great choices, Pete! And who doesn’t love those 3 green aliens who are so grateful to Mr. Potatohead, ahah.
I voted for Wall-E, Woody, and Dory. Some of my favorite movies in the Pixar family.
Awesome Max! Yep, those three movies they’re in are Pixar’s classics.
Russell is pretty great, but I’m torn between Mr. Incredible and WALL-E. Nice to see Rex getting a spot here…but this entire list feels a bit to heavy handed toward Toy Story. I smell something fishy going on…and it ain’t Dory:P
Also, I agree with your Honorable Mention totally!! The triplets (very Harpo Marx inspired) just KILLED it in Brave. Starting with the beginning where they were pantomiming the father’s story. I could not stop laughing:)
Ahah, well I do love Toy Story and come to think of it, I could probably do a top 10 just from that franchise alone 😀
Glad you adore those triplets too, I mean they’re just so much fun!!
EVE was my write-in third selection behind WALL•E and Woody. Fun poll.
Somehow I missed your comment Michael, sorry! Oh yeah, Eve, of course. LOVE her! She and Wall•E made a lovely pair.
Oh, this is a fun post and one I wouldn’t have thought of. Your picks are all very good though I can’t comment yet on Brave.
This would be my top 5 in order: Dory, Wall-E, Buzz, Russell and Mike W.
It’ll be very hard for Pixar to find something more likeable in my book than the short-term memory loss of Dory in Finding Nemo. Ellen was perfect for the voice work.
Hope you get to see Brave soon, Niels. I like your choices, well they’re all my faves, too. Dory is absolutely adorable, and yes Ellen is perfectly cast as her personality shines through that role.
I am a big fan of The Incredibles. Everyone from Bob to Edna, Frozone and Syndrome, loved every single one of them.
Also Remy from Ratatouille – that is one underrated little film. Never fails to get to me.
Wall-E I can’t not love. He’s got a tiny vocabulary, but even that doesn’t stop him from being an incredible character.
I’m glad someone mentioned Remy, he seems to have been forgotten but I think he’s adorable. Wall•E just made me sob like a crazy person watching it, so yeah I have a soft spot for him. Apparently, Pixar characters with no dialog are just as memorable, just wait ’til you see those Brave triplets!
Great list matey!! I loved it
I voted for the power duo of woody and buzz!! Those boys have it all!
Yes, they do indeed. Great choices matey!
Woody, Buzz, and Mike W for me! ha. A very fun list and am glad to see Flik on yours as so many times I see A Bug’s Life on lists of people’s least fave Pixar films.
But I have to toss in a special mention for Pixar character: The lamp! Awesome!
The lamp – nice.
I LOVE Flik, he just makes me smile 😀 Oh, The Lamp is a good one, T, nice one!
After seeing Brave now, I agree with your choice of Merida.
Yay! 😀
All Pixar characters are so awesome. I voted for Wall-E, Remy and Other. By other I meant Eve, but now I’m not sure haha.
Hi Lesya, thanks for voting. Yeah, it is hard to pick just three, but that’s the maximum allowed for the poll 🙂
Great post, Ruth! Who doesn’t love Pixar, right? My picks were Remy, Wall-E and Edna Mode.
Yay, another vote for Remy. He’s not as popular as others but he’s really cute! Thanks Fernando.
I adore Remy and Ratatouille is one of my top 5 favorite movies ever. VERY underrated, even with a 96% Tomatometer and an Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
Oh I didn’t know it was up for Oscar. Yeah I think people have more love for UP than Ratatouille but I enjoy the latter more. So great pick! 😀
LOVE this post! Woody, hands down. Remy and Buzz Lightyear would tie for second for me.
The redheaded trlplets is also my fav! Fun and brainy i wish i can have them at my home 😀 sadly Despicable Me is not coming from Pixar, if so i would voted my fav character for Agnes on Despicable Me
Hi Cecilia! I haven’t seen ‘Despicable Me’ but I’ll watch ’em just for those minions!! They’d make my favorite Dreamworks animated characters, I think that’s from Dreamworks, not sure. Ha…ha.. you might not like the triple redheads if they live at your home and steal all your food!! 😀
I’m sure I’ll cast my vote for Carl Fredericksen first, remy second and wall-e. toys story guys come after (I love them all LOL) I Love pixar ha ha ha
I ABSOLUTELY agree with you on Merida! She is a well thought out, believable, out there gorgeous character! I’m going to meet the live action Merida March 20-24 2013 and I’m excited!!!!! She is definitely a character I look up to… The “other” that I chose in the poll was Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl. I love, love, love her!!! She has been my favorite since forever! I’m 15 and I still sleep with and take my 16′ inch movie replica Jessie doll to school.. I just think I have a thing for free spirited Pixar redheads! Haha!
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