Where did the Pixar magic go?

Rating: 3/10 (10 July 2011)

Technically the film is flawless. Seeing the film one can't help admiring the progress CGI has made over the last decade, and the use of 3-D is not bad throughout the movie. You'd think that when Pixar's admirable staff couples with its obvious technical advantage, they'd be hit the bullseye again, and... the results are borderline disastrous.
There is a great premise here. Actually, a few premises that go nowhere because there is just too much happening, but it is all muddled as we try to keep up with a spy plot that is nothing but uninvolving, as it is herd to tell the good guys from the bad guys, and then we have the simpleton stuck in the middle of it, the fish out of water, the friendship angle, and all the cute stuff that might have been added in order to bring some charm here, or maybe it was just there because they could afford it.
It is a constant gabfest, and even the wondrous visuals feel bogged down as we have to constant to an endless series of conversations that are neither amusing, dramatic or clever, just way too long and at best flat. Pixar works best when the drama is clear, personal, simple. Who can forget the amazing personalities of the trio in "Up". The characters don't have to be people, look at Kevin and Dug. The family in "The Incredibles", and many more come to mind. There is just something forced about the characters in this film. They're underdeveloped, and we're supposed to like them. It's even more detrimental when the opening short has the fantastic characters from "Toy Store" take on a faux vacation and squeeze every possible laugh out of the short.
It is at least disappointing, and well, there is always an annual offering by Pixar, and next year's should be much better. Hopefully.