1. The Incredibles (2004). This is the apex of Pixar’s animation evolution and its storytelling abilities. The Incredibles is directed by Brad Bird, and it’s practically perfect. The fun and funny family film is one part superhero action, one part spy thriller. There is rarely a misstep in the pace, and the large action set pieces never feel overbearing. The Incredibles might have come out 15 years ago, but it has aged better than most films on this list. IMDB: 8.0/10; Rotten Tomatoes: 97%

20. Cars 2 (2011). If you were disappointed after watching the first Cars movie, well hold on to your hat because the sequel is a lot worse. How bad? It has the distinction of being Pixar’s only “rotten” movie on Rotten Tomatoes, with 38 per cent. Does it deserve it though? Yes, for the most part. I found the film to be funnier than the first, but mostly for how silly it is. IMDB: 6.2/10. Rotten Tomatoes: 38%.

16. A Bug's Life (1998).Many might be surprised to learn that this Pixar film about bugs battling for survival is a loose adaptation of the 1954 Japanese epic Seven Samurai, which was written and directed by Akira Kurosawa. This, to me, is the most fascinating fact about the film, mostly because I loved it when I first watched it as a child, and grew to appreciate it a lot more when I found out its story origins. It’s only Pixar’s second film, but the studio was already making strides in animation quality. IMDB: 7.2/10. Rotten Tomatoes: 92%.

15. Finding Dory (2016).Much like Monsters, Inc and its prequel, Finding Nemo had a growing fan base that was clamouring for a sequel. Basing the second film in the series around the beloved character Dory was a very smart move on behalf of Pixar, and fans were not disappointed. The film took us into various ocean locations once again, where we met a trove of new characters that will be loved for generations. IMDB: 7.3/10. Rotten Tomatoes: 94%.

14. Brave (2012). This is Pixar’s first and so far only princess-led movie. The beautiful Scottish music, colourful visuals of the woods and lively characters make it an enjoyable experience. But none of the above is a match for Merida’s chaotic red curls, which set the tone for the journey she embarks on with her mother in an attempt to reconcile their differences in opinion. IMDB: 7.1/10. Rotten Tomatoes: 79%.

12. Incredibles 2 (2018). Although it was almost an updated version of the first The Incredibles, the sequel still hits older fans with a heavy dose of nostalgia and hooks new and younger viewers with an exciting story. The movie picks up right where the first one ended and dives straight into action. There’s more focus on the evolving superpowers of the children, especially Jack-Jack’s, which creates a lot of opportunities for funny and touching scenes. IMDB: 7.7/10. Rotten Tomatoes: 94%.

10. WALL-E (2008). For a studio that is famous for its witty characters with too many quotable lines to count, this movie comes as a very pleasant surprise. Wall-E succeeds in attracting audiences of all ages because of the lack of speaking characters. Instead, it is the titular character’s adorable personality, and the focus on the abandoned planet-turned-dumpster location, that speaks volumes and makes this film a Pixar gem. IMDB: 8.4/10. Rotten Tomatoes: 95%

9. Finding Nemo (2003). There’s a meme about Pixar that suggests its writers decide how to choose their next films by giving random objects or beings “feelings”. In this case, what if fish had them? This might seem like an oversimplification, but what’s special about Pixar’s method is how much they make you care for the characters. Finding Nemo takes us on the journey of a lost clown fish and his father who is trying to find him in a touching tale of perseverance. IMDB: 8.1/10. Rotten Tomatoes: 99%

8. Ratatouille (2007). If I told you that an animated movie about a charming rat that can cook would be one of the most beautiful and heartwarming films you’ll ever see, you’d have every right not to believe me. You put that concept through the Pixar machine, though, and you end up with a masterpiece. If nothing else, you’ll start to appreciate French cooking and maybe even start to learn more about la cuisine Francaise. IMDB: 8.0/10. Rotten Tomatoes: 96%

7. Monsters, Inc. (2001). The beauty of Monsters, Inc is that it takes the simple premise of monsters under your bed and creates a whole universe out of it. The monsters under the bed in this film don’t scare children because they want to, but because they need to. The screams are a source of fuel, and they’ll keep scaring little ones to make it. Monsters Mike and Sully aren’t as legendary as Woody and Buzz, but they are memorable and quotable nonetheless. IMDB: 8.1/10. Rotten Tomatoes: 96%

6. Toy Story 3 (2010). This Toy Story sequel provides a plot suitable for nostalgic viewers in their mid to late twenties who are struggling with the overwhelming nature of adulthood, and much younger viewers who will receive a profound lesson on the importance of sharing and letting go. If you were born in the ’90s, there’s absolutely no reason for you not to have watched this film. Unless you’ve been living under a rock …
IMDB: 8.3/10. Rotten Tomatoes: 98% — 6. Toy Story 3 (2010). This Toy Story sequel provides a plot suitable for nostalgic viewers in their mid to late twenties who are struggling with the overwhelming nature of adulthood, and much younger viewers who will receive a profound lesson on the importance of sharing and letting go. If you were born in the ’90s, there’s absolutely no reason for you not to have watched this film. Unless you’ve been living under a rock … IMDB: 8.3/10. Rotten Tomatoes: 98%

5. Toy Story 2 (1999). After the success of the first, fans were champing at the bit for a second Toy Story and in 1999 we got one. The sequel did not disappoint, and most even consider it better than the first. The sequel expanded the world we were initially introduced to, and with it came masterfully placed Easter eggs that suggested an extended Pixar universe, which was proven later. The scene with Woody being renovated by an ageing toy restorer is perhaps the film’s best. IMDB: 7.9/10. Rotten Tomatoes: 100%

4. Inside Out (2015). The “tug-at-your-heart-strings” formula for which Pixar has come to be known was absolutely perfected by the time Inside Out was released, and that film sure employs a lot of it. Set inside the mind of a young girl, the film centres around the all-important question: what if emotions had emotions? The charming Inside Out is a colourful and meaningful look at how our brains and hearts work at any given time.
IMDB: 8.2/10. Rotten Tomatoes: 98% — 4. Inside Out (2015). The “tug-at-your-heart-strings” formula for which Pixar has come to be known was absolutely perfected by the time Inside Out was released, and that film sure employs a lot of it. Set inside the mind of a young girl, the film centres around the all-important question: what if emotions had emotions? The charming Inside Out is a colourful and meaningful look at how our brains and hearts work at any given time. IMDB: 8.2/10. Rotten Tomatoes: 98%

3. Toy Story (1995). What technology did for the first Pixar film was a leap forward in animation. Going back and watching it now does it a disservice because of how rough around the edges it looks. Nevertheless, the story hits hard and all the characters, Woody and Buzz especially, shine through. If nothing else, it left a whole generation of children believing their toys would come to life after they left the room. And that’s powerful stuff. IMDB: 8.3/10. Rotten Tomatoes: 100%

2. Coco (2017). Where do I start with Coco? The dreamlike setting in the Land of the Dead? Or maybe the enchanting and memorable music? Or better yet, the emotionally charged plot that is sure to make you shed a tear, or 10? Coco’s success ultimately lies in the fact that after years of making us feel all sorts of emotions for objects and animals, Pixar presents a very humanist story about love and loss. One to watch at least once a year. IMDB: 8.4/10. Rotten Tomatoes: 97%

From 'Toy Story' to 'Finding Nemo': all 20 Pixar films ranked

In 24 years, the company has released 20 films. To celebrate the release of its 21st, the anticipated ‘Toy Story 4’, we rank them in order of those that induced the most joy

Faisal Salah

Abu Dhabi

June 19, 2019

English
Arabic

The origins of Pixar Studios date as far back as 1979, when the animation company formed part of the computer division of LucasFilm, the same production house that gave us the Star Wars franchise. In 1986, Pixar broke away and was sold to Apple Inc, under the supervision of Steve Jobs.

In 1995, the studio gave us its first film, Toy Story, which charted the adventures of sentient toys that come alive when nobody is watching. Eleven years later, Pixar was bought out by the Disney Corporation in a deal worth $7.4 billion (Dh27.1bn).

In 24 years, Pixar has produced a grand total of 20 feature films. With the release of its 21st, Toy Story 4, we look at how previous movies rank against each other.

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Tips%20for%20holiday%20homeowners

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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)

Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi

Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi

Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai

Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi

Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

While you're here

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Sholto Byrnes: Robert Mugabe and Lee Kuan Yew: two leaders with very different legacies

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: UAE and Singapore can be partners for a world in transition

Nick March: Singapore and UAE are on the move – in airport development

While you're here

Sulaiman Hakemy: It only took 2 days for Biden to create a political mess for Trudeau

Bryant Harris: What Biden did during his first week as President of the United States

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Key facilities

Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

How to invest in gold

Investors can tap into the gold price by purchasing physical jewellery, coins and even gold bars, but these need to be stored safely and possibly insured.

A cheaper and more straightforward way to benefit from gold price growth is to buy an exchange-traded fund (ETF).

Most advisers suggest sticking to “physical” ETFs. These hold actual gold bullion, bars and coins in a vault on investors’ behalf. Others do not hold gold but use derivatives to track the price instead, adding an extra layer of risk. The two biggest physical gold ETFs are SPDR Gold Trust and iShares Gold Trust.

Another way to invest in gold’s success is to buy gold mining stocks, but Mr Gravier says this brings added risks and can be more volatile. “They have a serious downside potential should the price consolidate.”

Mr Kyprianou says gold and gold miners are two different asset classes. “One is a commodity and the other is a company stock, which means they behave differently.”

Mining companies are a business, susceptible to other market forces, such as worker availability, health and safety, strikes, debt levels, and so on. “These have nothing to do with gold at all. It means that some companies will survive, others won’t.”

By contrast, when gold is mined, it just sits in a vault. “It doesn’t even rust, which means it retains its value,” Mr Kyprianou says.

You may already have exposure to gold miners in your portfolio, say, through an international ETF or actively managed mutual fund.

You could spread this risk with an actively managed fund that invests in a spread of gold miners, with the best known being BlackRock Gold & General. It is up an incredible 55 per cent over the past year, and 240 per cent over five years. As always, past performance is no guide to the future.

KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI

National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate

Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead

Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble

Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks

Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence

Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground

Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Director: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa

Rating: 3/5

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Test

Director: S Sashikanth

Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan

Star rating: 2/5

Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.

Based: Riyadh

Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany

Founded: September, 2020

Number of employees: 70

Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions

Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds

Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices

Specs

Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)

Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)

Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)

THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

Napoleon

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