Monday, March 30, 2009

Dreamworks' Pixar Envy


Why does the Dreamworks' monster look like a Pixar monster?

Ok, let's talk film. Monsters vs Aliens- 58 Million, no surprize here. 58 Million is a very decent take for a Dreamworks or Pixar debut. Pixar has more staying power. Most Pixar films go onto survive in the top five for a couple more weeks. This is not a very lucrative release date to begin with. You have to wonder why Dreamworks didn't save the release date until summer. This summer is not a crowded summer at all. The only Tentpole that is a guaranteed juggernaught is Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Star Trek and Terminator are going to be released in MAY. So, why didn't Dreamworks hold this until June? It boggles the mind.
They could have made 68 Million I would guess. Well actually I am sure the projection or expectation was 63 million. Wall E and Madagascar 2 both did 63 million. Wall E was released in summer. Madagascar 2 was released beginning of Nov. So you can see the Sequel factor propelled Mad. 2. Wall E made 62 because of summer and because they are Pixar. The audience knows that Pixar makes remarkable film. So why doesn't the Audience know that Dreamworks animation makes remarkable film. Well because Dreamworks animation doesn't make amazing animation. The sad thing is that they have had enough time to do so.
Dreamworks animation makes funny, throwaway animation. Shrek is their bread and butter. Yet they let the Audience down with Shrek the Third. Shark Tale, and Bee Movie. Dreamworks Animation does not have the track record that Pixar does and we all know it.
The funny thing to think about this is that Dreamworks themselves think that have the magic touch like Pixar because of these numbers. 58 Million is respectable, but its not Pixar numbers or the Pixar effect which is in fact just a really satisfying movie experience. But, strange enough, Dreamworks will go on believing that they are comparable to Pixar when they are not. Yet, as long as they are making close to the money, why should they care. Well, they will fumble again. In this quest for greed, it's a safe bet to believe that Dreamworks will give us another Bee Movie or Shark Tale. Unless they figure out what really makes Pixar tick. Until tomorrow, let's talk film!

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