Poll

Where do you stand on the directing talents of John Lasseter?

I expect Greatness.
3 (15%)
I hope for Greatness, but am usually satisfied.
1 (5%)
He was Great, but Cars now gives me doubt.
4 (20%)
He's very good, not quite Great.
8 (40%)
He's worth mentioning.
3 (15%)
His name on a film doesn't do much for me.
0 (0%)
I don’t think there’s anything special about his directing.
1 (5%)

Total Members Voted: 20

Author Topic: Lasseter, John - The Top Directors Working Today  (Read 1815 times)

1SO

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Lasseter, John - The Top Directors Working Today
« on: July 22, 2008, 01:38:44 AM »
This should be an interesting case.

They say you're only as good as your last movie, and John Lasseter is now coming off of Cars, which sharply divided many of his fans.  While he's the pioneer who built Pixar's reputation, there's more respect for Brad Bird and Andrew Stanton (as well as a few non-Pixar filmmakers.)  Also, since Pixar officially became part of Disney, Lasseter's new duties have taken him away from the director's chair.  Who knows when we'll see something new from him.

But I feel that you shouldn't write off Lasseter just yet.  After all, this is the guy who directed Toy Story 1 & 2 and who has an amazing ability to bring humanity to inanimate objects in short films like Luxo Jr. and Red's Dream.  He taps into the simple beauty that exists all around and presents it in a way that can make you appreciate landscapes with new eyes.  (I bring your attention to the automotive nature of the land surrounding Radiator Springs, the mushroom-lit ant colony and the endless details found within Andy's room.)  His films may be less sophisticated than Bird or Miyazaki, but for directorial artistry he's very much their equal.
« Last Edit: October 28, 2010, 04:57:47 AM by pixote »

Basil

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Re: The Top Directors Working Today: John Lasseter
« Reply #1 on: July 22, 2008, 01:49:00 AM »
Yeah... Cars had issues.
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roujin

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Re: The Top Directors Working Today: John Lasseter
« Reply #2 on: July 22, 2008, 01:50:20 AM »
Just like Hancock.

sdedalus

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Re: The Top Directors Working Today: John Lasseter
« Reply #3 on: July 22, 2008, 03:37:44 AM »
He's very good, not quite Great.
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Ronan

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Re: The Top Directors Working Today: John Lasseter
« Reply #4 on: July 22, 2008, 04:20:44 AM »

duder

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Re: The Top Directors Working Today: John Lasseter
« Reply #5 on: July 22, 2008, 07:02:33 AM »
I suppose he's alright...
...

Moviebuff28

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Re: The Top Directors Working Today: John Lasseter
« Reply #6 on: July 22, 2008, 10:54:16 AM »
He's decent although he is actually somebody I really considered for the Top 5 Overrated directors.  I couldn't put him on because I love both Toy Story and Toy Story 2 but Cars was just brutal.  It was really pompous and the humor and storytelling wasn't up to snuff with the other Pixar films.

Kevin Shields

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Re: The Top Directors Working Today: John Lasseter
« Reply #7 on: July 22, 2008, 03:32:16 PM »
I give him a lot of credit for what he did for Pixar.  The shorts he made along with the Toy Story movies and A Bug's Life are definitely great.  Cars is not a great film but a good and entertaining one. 

I don't think he's as good as Brad Bird nor Andrew Stanton as far as creating an artistry towards film.  Yet, I tend to see him more as a producer.  I look forward to what he might direct next.  Yet, I think of him more as just an animator and a director.  Not exactly an artist in comparison to Bird and Stanton.  Yet, I don't want to sell Lasseter short.  What he's done for computer animation and what he brought is enough for me. 
"I want to be bored"-Maggie Gyllenhaal

 

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