Pixar's Good Luck Charm, 1995-2009 Quiz

Answer: Toy Story

In "Toy Story" (1995), an old-fashioned cowboy doll and a new spaceman figure put aside their differences to get back home to their owner. In "Toy Story 2" (1999), when the cowboy doll is stolen, the other toys rush to his rescue.

Both movies had many small roles for a variety of actors such as Don Rickles (Mr. Potato Head), R. Lee Ermey (Sergeant), Jim Varney (Slinky Dog), Wallace Shawn (Rex), and Annie Potts (Bo Peep).

Answer: A Bug's Life

Two computer graphic animated movies about bugs were released in 1998, Pixar's "A Bug's Life" and Dreamworks SKG's "Antz".

"A Bug's Life", about a misfit ant and circus performer bugs fighting grasshoppers, grossed over $360M worldwide.

"Antz", about an ant rebelling against the social order of his colony, grossed over $170M worldwide.

Answer: Monsters, Inc.

When a human girl escapes into Monstropolis, it's up to two friendly monsters to get her back to the real world on the other side of her closet door in "Monsters, Inc." (2001).

When asked if there are kids in the nearby village, the Abominable Snowman describes them as "Tough kids, sissy kids, kids who climb on rocks", which paraphrases an old jingle for Armour hot dogs.

Answer: Finding Nemo

"Finding Nemo" (2003) presents two parallel stories; as a clown fish named Marlin journeys to find his lost son, Nemo, while Nemo discovers own his inner strength trying to escape from a tank.

Pixar films often reference other Pixar films, even ones only in development. Nemo first appeared as a plush toy in the girl's room in "Monsters, Inc." (2001), while a patient in the dentist's office in "Finding Nemo" is reading a "Mr. Incredible" comic book ("The Incredibles", 2004).

Answer: The Incredibles

When John Lasseter finally convinced Brad Bird to join Pixar, his only request was that Bird make the film he had been dying to make. "The Incredibles" (2004) was that movie.

Writer/director Brad Bird provides the voice for Edna Mode. It was originally a temporary placeholder track, but was too good not to use in the film.

Answer: Cars

The plot of "Cars" (2006), about a hotshot rookie race car who gets in trouble with the law of a small town, spends time there, and learns to appreciate the small town and its inhabitants, is very similar to the plot of "Doc Hollywood" (1991), about a hotshot rookie doctor who gets in trouble with the law of a small town, spends time there, and learns to appreciate the small town and its inhabitants.

Mater the tow truck has a license plate that reads "A113". This is the room number of the California Institute of the Arts' animation room, and is found in every Pixar film to date, as well as in the films of other companies.

Answer: Ratatouille

"Ratatouille" (2007) is the story of a rat with a passion for food and a talent for cooking who secretly prepares gourmet meals in a French restaurant.

The ratatouille prepared at the end of the movie is actually a variation of the dish called confit byaldi, which uses thinly sliced vegetables that are not fried.

Answer: WALL-E

"WALL-E" (2008) is the story of a garbage (Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-class) robot who falls in love and ends up being responsible for bringing human beings back to the planet Earth.

EVE and WALL-E go to the life/escape pods, the pods are located on deck "1.9 12". The sinking of the Titanic occurred in 1912, and part of the enormity of that tragedy was that there were not enough lifeboats on board.

"WALL-E" is the first Pixar feature film to incorporate live action footage.

Answer: Up

"Up" (2009) is the story of an elderly man fulfilling a promise to his late wife by going on the adventure they had always talked about. With the help of a little boy, he faces dangers and talking dogs and learns that life itself is an adventure.

The mantelpiece picture of the house was done in the style of Mary Blair, an early Disney artist who designed the "It's a Small World" theme park attraction.

Answer: John Ratzenberger

Best known for his work on the television sitcom "Cheers" (1982-1993), Ratzenberger started as a movie actor with small roles in big films like "Superman" (1978), "Superman II" (1980), "Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back" (1980), and "Ghandi" (1982). Along with his Pixar work, these successful movies have made Ratzenberger one of the top ten highest box-office grossing actors (as of 2009).

During the end credits of "Cars" (2006), Ratzenberger made fun of his association with Pixar, as his character Mack watches versions of Pixar movies and notices that: "They're just using the same actor over and over. What kind of cut-rate production is this?"