Critics Have Seen Disney+ Win Or Lose And They Agree Pixar’s First Series “Hits A Home Run (Mostly)”

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For the past three decades, it’s been challenging to find a studio with a more impressive resume than Pixar. Their films, ranging from “Toy Story” to “The Incredibles,” are not only among the finest of recent times but also stand out as some of the best in modern cinema. With “Inside Out 2” earning the title of highest-grossing animated film last year, it’s evident that Pixar’s animation studio in Emeryville, CA is still thriving and creating cinematic masterpieces.

I must admit, it’s truly fascinating to witness Pixar venturing beyond their usual realms of theatrical animation and classic shorts, diving instead into something intriguing – an in-house produced full animated series, a departure even from the Monsters at Work series. This new project, titled Win or Lose, is a captivating eight-episode journey that focuses on the lives of eight team members from a little league baseball team, offering a unique narrative woven from multiple perspectives.

As a passionate cinephile, I must say that so far, this production has been earning some impressive reviews from the critics. Although a few seem hesitant to declare it an unequivocal triumph, there’s a general consensus that Pixar’s foray into episodic storytelling is largely commendable. Collider, for instance, has voiced their praise…

As a movie enthusiast, I must confess that Pixar continues to grapple with finding the perfect formula for delivering their unique storytelling through episodic TV. However, “Win or Lose” demonstrates a significant stride towards achieving that goal. This series offers an engaging and entertaining journey, making it a noteworthy addition to their growing repertoire.

In my perspective, “Win or Lose” distinguishes itself not just by its episodic structure, but also by the harmonious blend of humor and drama it presents. Though I’ve only seen the first five episodes, the series manages to be laugh-out-loud funny at times, yet can be surprisingly poignant as it delves into the real-life challenges faced by its child characters. Laughing Place praises the show, calling it a “mostly home run,” and advises viewers to approach it with an understanding of what they’re getting into, as this appreciation will only grow.

From its appearance and storyline, viewers might anticipate a livelier and funnier experience. However, don’t let that initial impression sway you; delve into Pixar’s eight-part series, and you’ll uncover depth and meaning instead.

The general consensus among critics is that they find the series’ concept quite praiseworthy. Each installment focuses on distinct characters or groups, providing viewers with numerous viewpoints from which to observe events unfold. Remarkably, an antagonist in one episode can emerge as a protagonist in another. As stated by Pixar Post, this multifaceted approach encourages a wide range of people to find connections with the show.

This series offers an exceptionally distinctive viewpoint, captivating us with its universal appeal across various age demographics. It delves into themes of authentic adult experiences as well as the victories and challenges faced by young individuals.

As a film enthusiast, diving into “Win or Lose,” one topic that stirred quite a buzz was the revelation that Disney had mandated alterations to the original script, transforming a transgender character into a cisgender character. To me, this feels like an elephant in the room, potentially casting a shadow over the show’s overall potential.

The production “Win or Lose” showcases numerous commendable aspects, being clever, entertaining, visually appealing, and often emotionally stirring. Regrettably, the organization responsible for releasing it fell short of embodying the message it so valiantly promoted.

On the contrary, IGN notes that although Disney may have removed a possibly contentious plotline, it doesn’t necessarily make the series devoid of substance. In fact, it continues to tackle other intricate themes.

Remarkably, understanding the obstacles that both Win and Lose encountered during production adds to the show’s awe-inspiring quality. It had the potential to appear overly manipulated and excessively designed, similar to many other less cohesive Disney productions due to focus group input and engineering.

Given that many viewers have grown accustomed to watching Pixar films on Disney+, it’s likely that the viewership for this show could be quite large. Currently, the first two episodes of Win or Lose are available for streaming on Disney+ with a subscription. Additional episodes will be rolled out every Wednesday, concluding the series.

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2025-02-19 20:37