Support NeoGAF

[EatinOlives]

I've been catching Finding Dory commercials now that we're nearing release and every time I see one my mind drifts to speculating what will be the obligatory tear-jerker scene. It'll probably be something tragic, like she never finds her family, or she finds them and they don't remember her, or she finds them and then they get taken away forever or eaten or whatever, all to eventually bring home the message that Marlin and Nemo are her real family even if they're not biological etc etc.

But the fact that I thought it was "obligatory" started to be concerning. Is Pixar relying on sad themes and tear-jerker scenes to carry the emotional weight of their films? Is their existence starting to become formulaic? I really liked Inside Out but the scene the tear-jerker scene in it (y'all know which one) had one little kid super distressed. Crying uncontrollably, the mother had to leave the theater for while to calm him down. I started to think of I was a parent and that happened to me I'd be a little pissed, going to movie where the writers really really wanted to make your kid cry. Like fuck this my kid would probably cry way too much as it is.

Anyway, that's really beside the point. My point is, I think Pixar has an incredible knack for imaginative, character-driven story-telling, but it feels like they've been ratcheting up the harrowing super sad scenes. They even found their way into The Good Dinosaur, one of their more mediocre efforts with a minimalistic story line. Don't get me wrong, I like them because they really know how to tug at the heartstrings, but at what point do they become formulaic? I mean at this point I'll be super surprised if they don't have a tear-jerker scene in Finding Dory, and being able to predict them kind of kills the appeal.

Obviously they didn't invent the concept. There's plenty of kids movies predating Toy Story that were designed to make kids cry. Bambi, Dumbo, the Lion King, etc. Etc. It's just that Pixar got really, REALLY good at doing it and it's staring to become really noticeable, at least to me. There's plenty of their movies that don't do it either, like The Incredibles.

What do you guys think? Is it something that's starting to become repetitive? Is there any real problem with Pixar movies being basically the "yeah bring some tissues" kid flicks? Should they lay off it for a while? Would people be more disappointed if they lay off it for a film or if they double down on it?

 

[MMarston]

I've yet to see TGD, but the way they marketed it really makes it feel that way. In effect, the emotions start to get hamfisted rather than genuine.
Still planning on seeing it eventually though.

 

[Acorn]

I guess? But as you say it's a old, old trope. Doesn't bother me with Pixar as they land it well most of the time imo.

 

[kaname-san]

It's okay to have those tear jerker moments but let them be more natural. With pixar, it hasn't felt natural since toy story 3.

 

[Bedameister]

Hm I never thought of that. But I watched Inside Out yesterday and I guess you're right. I don't have a problem with it since the movies are still great (Inside Out was amazing)

 

[BHK3]

It's okay to have those tear jerker moments but let them be more natural. With pixar, it hasn't felt natural since toy story 3.

^^^^^^^

Brave was just a mess concerning this.

 

[Acorn]

I've yet to see TGD, but the way they marketed it really makes it feel that way. In effect, the emotions start to get hamfisted rather than genuine.
Still planning on seeing it eventually though.

I don't think they generally force it, comes off as a natural progression of the story with pixar for me. Toy Story's scenes throughout the trilogy were pitch perfect for one.

 

[atr0cious]

It's okay to have those tear jerker moments but let them be more natural. With pixar, it hasn't felt natural since toy story 3.

This was my exact thought, especially when the concept is that they come to terms with being throw away in the fucking original. Another patent is the "journey," so fucking boring. My mind shut off during Inside Out when it started, I was massively disappointed.

 

[dity]

I cried buckets when I saw Inside Out and I wouldn't have it any other way. It super touched me and made me remember feelings I'd buried. Don't take that away from me, OP.

 

[marzlapin]

I think it's appropriate in Inside Out specifically, considering the message of the movie. Plenty of Pixar movies don't really have a scene I'd call a "tearjerker", either.

 

[Toxi]

What's the tearjerker scene in Ratatouille?

 

[RustyNails]

It's not that it's becoming obligatory, but how Pixar has perfected the art of string pulling. Which I don't like. The way they set up that "sad" scene with slow, sad piano music where the character on screen realizes something profound, or that flashback scene with happy times. It's like they have become a factory of tear jerker products which they use to bring in audience and critics alike.

 

[Veelk]

I think sad scenes are way too abstract a concept to become formulaic. It's hard to think of any well rounded movie in general that doesn't have a scene of deep sadness.

It's like once step above from going "What, another film with characters? Again? I want a film of inanimate objects, dammit! And no cheating like in The Brave Little Toaster, actual inanimate objects!"

 

[Cipherr]

My only issue with IO was the scene in the pit was to long. Go ahead and try to get a cry out of people if you want, but don't linger on forever and EVER trying to do it.

Toy Story 3 did it right. 3 movies so proper build up of a relationship with the characters on screen and their trials throughout life. and the moment in question wasn't very long. It was brief and done.

Inside Out however.... ugh, they dragged it on for what seemed like 5 minutes or more.

 

[Crimsonclaw111]

I've yet to see TGD, but the way they marketed it really makes it feel that way. In effect, the emotions start to get hamfisted rather than genuine.
Still planning on seeing it eventually though.

That whole movie is a tear jerker because of how bad it is.

 

[MCtalkfunny]

Yes I to am getting sick of stories told by masters of the craft.That are funny and charming as well as being emotionally effective. I wish we could go back to the high quailty of early Dreamworks.

For reals though I think they have a few clunkers post Toy Story 3 but those films problems are so far from being trying to be over emotional. Great story telling makes you feel. At no point during inside out did I think they were going for the big patented tear jerker moment, just a incredible well made movie that works on quite a few levels.

I wish more big releases tried for what Pixar does.

 

[Mineshaft_Gap]

I disagree with the part of your thesis that says this is a problem.

Good, emotionally moving moments in movies are a good thing. Especially in children's movies. Up is a masterpiece and I cherish the memories I have of Pixar films making me laugh and cry going back to when i was a little girl.

 

[Oersted]

Yes I to am getting sick of stories told by masters of the craft.That are funny and charming as well as being emotionally effective. I wish we could go back to the high quailty of early Dreamworks.

For reals though I think they have a few clunkers post Toy Story 3 but those films problems are so far from being trying to be over emotional. Great story telling makes you feel. At no point during inside out did I think they were going for the big patented tear jerker moment, just a incredible well made movie that works on quite a few levels.

I wish more big releases tried for what Pixar does.

Prince of Egypt is very good, last time I checked.

 

[Osahi]

It's okay to have those tear jerker moments but let them be more natural. With pixar, it hasn't felt natural since toy story 3.

You were saying?

 

[Bornstellar]

That whole movie is a tear jerker because of how bad it is.

Seriously. Started watching it on a flight and had to stop because I just couldn't.

 

[d00d3n]

The emotional theme and, I guess, take home message of Inside Out felt incredibly well-grounded and appropriate as an essential part of the plot. To call it "tear-jerking" does not seem fair at all.

 

[Fat4all]

When somebody loved me
Everything was beautiful
Every hour spent together
Lives within my heart

When she loved me

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

What's the tearjerker scene in Ratatouille?

The best kind of tear-jerker scene. One of pure joy.

Aka Ego tasting the Ratatouille.

 

[Renpatsu]

I disagree with the part of your thesis that says this is a problem.

Good, emotionally moving moments in movies are a good thing. Especially in children's movies. Up is a masterpiece and I cherish the memories I have of Pixar films making me laugh and cry going back to when i was a little girl.

I agree with this sentiment.

I think that when it comes to Pixar they're deliberately structuring their stories to be emotionally engaging first and foremost so naturally that leads to scenes in question that are absolutely crafted for the express purpose of eliciting a feeling in the audience. That in itself if just standard storytelling but ratcheted to the high bar that people associate with Pixar.

When you should be concerned is if those scenes stop becoming sincere depictions of emotions and become more formulaic and cynical in their execution. When they stop ringing true or the build up is non-existent those scenes feel hollow and only detract from the audience's capacity to empathize.

 

[veloxStrix]

I think, by definition, a "tearjerker" scene can only be a good thing. If a film has emotionally invested you in its characters' lives and story, then it has already won half the battle of storytelling. Now the issue would be when those scenes are no longer "tearjerkers" but flat attempts at gaining empathy. For an emotional climax to be most effective, it almost always has to be the result of the viewer becoming sympathetic to the character already. It almost always falls flat when used as a basis of creating a sympathetic relationship between the viewer and film.

 

[zoukka]

If the scene jerks the tears naturally then it's fine obviously. If they beg for those tears with cheap tricks, then obviously the story didn't held up on its own.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

This seems (and I'm not saying OP is doing this per Se) like exhibit #18385 of 'thing I noticed in movies that will now be used to discredit them in a reductive and piecemeal observation in order to avoid engaging in actual criticism.' Right along with JJ lens flares, Snyder slow mo and Avatar Pocahontas/Fern Gully/Dances With Smurfs snarks.

 

[Timbuktu]

As long as they're not using pepper spray I don't see a problem. It's not like they don't make me laugh or have range of other emotions as well.

 

[SneakyStephan]

Rewatched finding nemo last week and I just hope finding dory is any good tbh

their recent output has been shit all the way back to UP (and only the opening scene of UP was good, and yes it was a tearjerker scene as you say op, but it was a great one and a sincere one)
If finding dory is anywhere near as good as finding nemo I'll be happy, but after the good dinosaur , inside out and brave I'm not setting my expectations too high. (not even going to dignify monster university)


Personally I find the 'people failing to communicate' trope as the cause for drama in a movie to be infinitely much more annoying than the cheap tearjerkers

 

[eerik9000]

You were saying?

The real tear-jerker in Inside Out was the scene where

Spoiler

Bing Bong sacrificed himself so Joy could escape the Memory Dump

.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Formulaic af

 

[SonnyBoy]

RIP

Spoiler

Bing Bong

I took it worse than my 4 year old.

The real tear-jerker in Inside Out was the scene where

Spoiler

Bing Bong sacrificed himself so Joy could escape the Memory Dump

.

You beat me to it. It was the 1st time my jaw dropped in a Pixar movie. I was stunned....

 

[John Kowalski]

The real tear-jerker in Inside Out was the scene where

Spoiler

Bing Bong sacrificed himself so Joy could escape the Memory Dump

.

Yes.

 

[QuantumZebra]

The real tear-jerker in Inside Out was the scene where

Spoiler

Bing Bong sacrificed himself so Joy could escape the Memory Dump

.

they both were... but that one was rough

 

[TheJollyCorner]

Hey, The Incredibles avoided the obligatory tear-jerk scene, yes?



Can't wait for The Incredibles 2.

 

[old manatee]

Also the zany chase at the end. More predictable than MCU films. They're good for children, but once you've seen 10 Pixar movies the manufacturing process becomes too obvious.

 

[Vault Dweller 111]

Hey, The Incredibles avoided the obligatory tear-jerk scene, yes?



Can't wait for The Incredibles 2.

The plane about to blow up I guess? But yea, definitely didn't feel like the rest.

Also, the end of IO always hit me way harder than 'the pit'.

 

[dity]

The plane about to blow up I guess? But yea, definitely didn't feel like the rest.

Also, the end of IO always hit me way harder than 'the pit'.

The end of IO hit me like a ton of bricks.

 

[Skellig Gra]

I can only think of a handful of "tear-jerker" moments through all their movies so I would say no.

 

[Haloid1177]

The real tear-jerker in Inside Out was the scene where

Spoiler

Bing Bong sacrificed himself so Joy could escape the Memory Dump

.

After the incinerator scene in TS3 I think this is probably the only other one that got to me.

 

[Barrel Cannon]

I think it's more telling of how good they are at their craft that they can consistently do that.

The journey of the characters in their movies that lead to those tear-jerking moments are anything but formulaic even if the end result is the same.

 

[Kyzer]

Can't help but feel that tear-jerker scene is just a good scene in a movie and op cries everytym

 

[GunBR]

The real tear-jerker in Inside Out was the scene where

Spoiler

Bing Bong sacrificed himself so Joy could escape the Memory Dump

.

Yep

The movie was really weak IMO, but that scene was incredible

 

[jotun?]

Hey, The Incredibles avoided the obligatory tear-jerk scene, yes?

The airplane scene gets me pretty good

 

[Sibersk Esto]

Anymore than the obligatory Disney villain reveal?

 

[Tuck]

The plane about to blow up I guess? But yea, definitely didn't feel like the rest.

That scene was originally going to be more of a tear jerker than what we got.

Originally, the mom wasn't going to be the pilot - her friend who got her the plane was going to pilot the plane, and ultimately die during the attack. But they cut him because it would take too much effort to introduce a character, make the audience like him, only to kill him off a few scenes later.

 

[UncleSporky]

Hey, The Incredibles avoided the obligatory tear-jerk scene, yes?

.

 

[SuicidalSteve]

The whole intro to UP just got to me in such a big way

 

[daveo42]

They still have alot of different stories they could pull from that naturally have those types of moments without being ham-fisted. I'd say their biggest problem now is not becoming creatively bankrupt at the pace they put out films. I'm expecting even more unnecessary sequels no one has asked for (outside of Disney execs) past the ones already announced that kids will probably enjoy but won't be nearly as good as most of their original films.

The only sequel I know I'm hype for tho is Incredibles.

The best kind of tear-jerker scene. One of pure joy.

Aka Ego tasting the Ratatouille.

I've always wanted to eat something that would magically transport me back to my childhood. Ratatouille is one of Pixar's most underrated films.

After the incinerator scene in TS3 I think this is probably the only other one that got to me.

One of the only scenes in any Pixar movie ever that completely pulled me out of the movie. It broke my suspension of disbelief in that moment because I knew there was no way in hell they'd end Toy Story with the deaths of our main characters. The ending didn't need to be dark, but it was played up so much that I knew there was no way they'd do it. Like, all of the tension and build up to that moment was lost on that single moment.

 

[KenzinFive]

What's the tearjerker scene in Ratatouille?

Not a tearjerker scene exactly, but the climax of the movie where the food critic first eats Remy's ratatouille and

Spoiler

flashes back to when he was a child in rural France and he was eating his mother's cooking

. He was legit shook, and so was I. Still one of my favorite Pixar scenes.

EDIT: The climatic scene of Inside Out where Riley

Spoiler

comes home and finally tells her parents how she feels after Sadness takes control

destroyed me a whole lot more than

Spoiler

Bing-Bong's sacrifice

. The scene felt a whole lot more relatable and real, especially with

Spoiler

the family hug and the joy/sadness memory being created

at the end.