In honor of the upcoming release of “Toy Story 3,” the continuation of the film that started it all for Pixar, we decided to look back at and rate the other thing that is notably Pixar – short films. All of Pixar’s short films up to 2007 can be seen together on the Pixar Short Films Collection, Volume 1 DVD. And be sure to look out for Pixar’s newest short film “Day and Night” which will premiere with “Toy Story 3.”  

Knick Knack – 3 stars

The people at Pixar love to be clever. Their protagonists usually come to unexpectedly good ends that resulted from wit and circumstance. However, in “Knick Knack,” the poor little snowman (who happens to be Frosty the Snowman’s cousin) stuck in a snow globe learns that no matter what, his brilliance cannot change his fate. Being that the short film was the second-produced, first-released film created by Pixar while still under Lucasfilms in 1989, the picture is rough and simple. While it was made early, “Knick Knack” didn’t make an appearance before a full length film until the release of “Finding Nemo.” The beginning technology started the tradition of only physical comedy that makes the Pixar shorts so brilliant. “Knick Knack” is brilliant for an early film and set the bar for later films.

For the Birds – 4 stars

Made when technology had evolved at Pixar, “For the Birds” included feathers, texture, and a lot more detail than the earlier films. The music had also definitely improved from the awkward elevator music of “Knick Knack.” “For the Birds” tells the story (that sounds a lot like middle school) about a large outcast bird trying to fit into the crowd of smaller and meaner birds. The best part of the film is the expressions that the little birds make throughout the film and the happy ending for the loner bird. Despite being short in comparison to the other short films, “For the Birds” will leave you laughing out loud.

Presto – 2 stars

One of Pixar’s newest short films, “Presto” is featured before “Wall-E.” The film follows the monotonous life of a magician’s rabbit. The rabbit, Presto, sees a carrot just out of reach before a show and is desperate to get his treat. Determined to get the carrot, Presto shows that he can outwit the magician and turn the magician’s show into chaos. Once again the clever main character prevails. “Presto” is undoubtedly hilarious but not as memorable as other, earlier short films.

Jack Jack Attack  - 4 stars

Filling the holes in between Jack Jack (from “The Incredibles”) and his transformation, we see Kari the babysitter tackling super-powered, well, super powers. It’s actually really entertaining because it shows us more of the toddler and of course the braces-donned self-appointed-professional babysitter who we really only got glimpses of in the original movie. Jack Jack was a favorite from the beginning and his remarkable re-appearance at the end of the film deserved this hilarious short. 

Partly Cloudy  - 3 stars

Keeping with the Pixar tradition of placing shorts before movies, this one was spot on for the “Up” crowd.  It was a similar topic, which was set in the sky with clouds making baby animals for the storks to deliver. These babies were every species from human to puppy with everything else in between. One individual stork was in charge of the dangerous babies like electric eels.  This short was a whimsical one, with several funny twists with the cloud shapes turning out as other things.  It was crazy, cute and dramatic all wrapped in one. 

Geri’s Game  - 5 stars

An Academy Award-winning short tacked on to “A Bug’s Life” that made everyone probably fall out of their chairs, just as Geri does at the end.  As an old man playing against himself, we get this fun atmosphere, which ultimately confuses one as the short gets faster paced, removing the man playing against himself and actually characterizing a sibling feud.  It’s so amusing how we soon see an old man return to the actions of a young boy that you just can’t help from smiling.