Chapter 352: Chapter 76 This is the Counterattack Chapter 352: Chapter 76 This is the Counterattack “This is the first feature film in history to be entirely computer-generated, and Pixar has presented us with a full-length animation that differs from traditional hand-drawn techniques. I believe this will be another milestone in the history of animation!” —- Los Angeles Times
“This story about your toys actually having life may sound quite ordinary, but it will be a revolution in the animation industry since the birth of ‘Snow White’ forty years ago!” —- New Yorker
“For the average person, this is a touching comedy, but to those with a keen sense, it’s clear that this is also the biggest leap in the field of animation since Disney’s release of ‘Snow White’!” —- Variety
The media was almost unanimous in its praise of ‘Toy Story,’ whether for the story, the art, or the technology; it received ample affirmation, a rarity indeed. ‘Mission: Impossible,’ while also receiving much praise, was largely commended for its storytelling, though everyone knows the film targeted the market, so no one bothered to delve into its connotations. Even ‘Forrest Gump,’ despite its fine story and art, didn’t receive much mention for its technology.

Comparing live-action films to animated films might seem inappropriate, but this also indirectly shows how much of an impact ‘Toy Story,’ a film completely created by computer-generated 3D animation, has had on people.

“Everybody played with toys during their childhood: dolls, green army men, and so on. What if one day they came to life and began playing when you left, taking it as their mission to please and accompany you? What kind of stories would happen then? This is exactly the story that Pixar’s ‘Toy Story’ tells.

Woody, the cowboy, is the favorite toy of the young owner and also the leader of all the toys. Whenever the owner is away, they play joyfully. However, what all the toys fear most is the arrival of new toys, because it means some of the old toys will fall out of favor or even be discarded. Even Woody, the owner’s favorite, begins to face this crisis with the arrival of the space toy Buzz Lightyear. Woody tried everything to get rid of Buzz. However, by accident, they both fell into the neighbor’s yard, and the neighbor’s child was a toy torturer. Any toy that fell into his hands would be disassembled. Woody and Buzz, needing to avoid this dreadful fate and return home, had to work together.”

This is just a simple introduction; the wonders of the film can only be experienced by watching it. Pixar created a multitude of lifelike characters: the timid dinosaur, the fun Slinky Dog, the chatty Mr. Potato Head, Woody who, despite not wanting to lose his position, could understand where he went wrong, and Buzz Lightyear who always thought he was a space ranger until he finally came to his senses. Each one leaves a lasting impression. Many tropes that have become somewhat cliched in live-action movies felt fresh and new in this animated film. If you want to enjoy a movie with the whole family, ‘Toy Story’ is the perfect choice.

Congratulations to Pixar; they have started a new era.” —- Empire, Scott Hoffman
Indeed, Pixar has started a new era. Calling it “the greatest leap forward in the field of animation” is by no means an overstatement. Many critics have even declared, “I can’t imagine a more entertaining film than ‘Toy Story'” and “‘Toy Story’ is the year’s most creatively comedic film” or “Pixar’s creativity is simply astonishing,” and so forth.

Who knew that just a few years ago, they had no hope for computer animation. Even though Pixar’s short films had received much praise, some still mocked them as the ugly duckling of Silicon Valley. When Jobs sold it to Adrian, many thought it was the smartest thing he’d done since leaving Apple. Even a few weeks ago, when people unanimously praised the film after test screenings, there were still those who thought it was an exaggeration.

Now, ‘Toy Story’ has swept the North American box office, like a slap in the face to all those doubters. But how could critics take such a slap to heart? In this business, you often have to have thick skin. Making a wrong judgment is just that, nothing embarrassing, who doesn’t make mistakes? Especially when most people got it wrong.

So they selectively forget their previous words and begin to heap all the beautiful phrases onto ‘Toy Story’ and Pixar. Although a small part stubbornly tried every means to nitpick, even Woody’s girlfriend, Bo Peep, couldn’t hide the brilliance of this animated film.

In summary, Silicon Valley’s ugly duckling, Pixar, has thoroughly turned things around.

“I don’t think I need to say much more, congratulations to everyone, congratulations… to all of us!” Standing in the Pixar conference room, which had been cleared out and then reorganized, John Lasseter, holding a cup, had a voice that became choked, and the eyes behind his round glasses began to twinkle. Fortunately, he quickly raised his cup, followed by a warm round of applause, as every face in Pixar glowed with excitement.

“John seems a little too excited,” Adrian said to Ed Kammer as he clapped.

“That’s not surprising, considering our efforts,” Kammer shrugged, “I am too.”

“Then why did you decline to give the speech before?” Adrian immediately asked.

“You declined too, didn’t you, Ed?” The head of Pixar asked back with a smile:
“I’m different, I just provided the funding and distribution. Without your persistence, there would be no Pixar today,” Adrian waved a hand dismissively, “I’m even less qualified to speak than Steve is.”

“You’re too modest. Everyone knows that without your funding, our studio might have closed by now; without you handling the distribution and promotion, ‘Toy Story’ wouldn’t have generated such a warm response,” Kammer shook his head.

“But you must admit, if it wasn’t for Steve’s continuous, profit-disregarding support over seven years, Pixar wouldn’t have had its moment of breakthrough, would it?” Adrian said with a laugh.

“Absolutely–John is the chief director, and I’m more in charge of overall planning. The studio’s success owes partly to me, but with the success of this movie, his contribution is the greatest,” Kammer quickly changed the subject, “so it’s better to have him give the speech to inspire everyone.”

“Come on, you just want to slack off, Ed,” Lasseter’s teasing voice came from the side, but it immediately turned apologetic: “Sorry, I didn’t mean you, Ed.”

Adrian and Kammer burst into laughter.

“Got any plans at work recently, John?” After chatting briefly with John Lasseter and then with Andrew Stanton who had just arrived, Adrian suddenly asked.

“Not at the moment. Do you have any good ideas?” Lasseter was slightly intrigued. They were well aware of Adrian’s reputation in the entertainment industry, but to his disappointment, the other party didn’t show anything special.

“Then just enjoy the break,” Adrian said with a smile, “Pixar has achieved unprecedented success; why not go on a vacation with your family or get some limited-edition toys for the kids–you know, those toys are not easy to come by now.”

Hearing this last remark, the now-again-smiling people around them all felt a sense of exuberance. The overwhelming popularity of ‘Toy Story’ was indescribable, not to mention box office and critical reputation. Even though Warner had already arranged toy manufacturers to start production and hit the market after the film’s release, they still ended up with a supply that couldn’t meet the demand. This was partly due to Claude’s conservative reservations, resulting in fewer orders, but it also highlighted the film’s popularity.

“You don’t need to worry, Ed. These guys each took a set long before the toys hit the market, they had it all figured out,” Kammer pointed at Lasseter and Stanton and laughed.

“What a pity, I had prepared a few sets to see who didn’t have them and planned to give them away,” Adrian said nonchalantly.

“I don’t have them, Ed!” Stanton immediately raised his hand, which once again brought a round of laughter.

“In any case, in a few weeks, once everyone has settled down, we’ll discuss the next steps for development. I believe you all have a blueprint for the future in mind,” Adrian added afterward.

“Yes,” Lasseter’s eyes lit up again.

“By the way, Ed, ‘Fortune’ and ‘Hollywood Report’ among others want to invite us for an exclusive interview about the film and the technology behind computer animation,” Kammer added at this point.

“I’ll pass,” Adrian thought for a moment and then declined, “I only have a superficial understanding of computer animation technology. Those of you who develop and use it know it best. Similarly, while I may have some insights into films, who can surpass John and Andrew’s understanding? So it’s best if you all handle the interviews.”

He was no Steve Jobs. Jobs needed to claim those achievements to bolster his reputation in order to make his way back to Apple, but Adrian didn’t need to do that. Thus, giving Kammer and others the limelight wasn’t a bad thing; after all, since taking charge, besides basic oversight, most matters had been delegated to Kammer anyway. It was good to keep it that way.

In contrast to Pixar’s jubilation and pride, over at Disney, there was a feel of summoning for an inquisition.

“To put it simply, you think that I must bear the responsibility for the decision to give up on Pixar–completely without reservation–is that what you’re saying, Mr. Crawen?” Michael Eisner, sitting at the head of the conference room table, looked at Geoffrey Crawen at the third position to his right with an expressionless face and spoke slowly.

Although he appeared calm, and no different from usual, those familiar with him knew that this strongman was probably seething with anger by now. So even Crawen, who had been outspoken in his criticism of Eisner during the meeting, couldn’t help swallowing hard after hearing Eisner speak.

However, this moment of hesitation lasted only a few seconds before he started speaking loudly again: “That’s unquestionable, look at the state Disney’s animation department has fallen into now!”

“Just last year we made our best 2D animation ‘The Lion King,'” someone across the table chimed in.

“Yes, but what of it? The animation department is almost the most idle now,” Crawen immediately retorted, “It’s not that Cowles and his team want it this way. There have been several project proposals, all of which were denied, personally by Michael.”

As he said this, he turned his head to look at Eisner: “I know you have your considerations, Michael. I also know that the company has grown to where it is today not just on the animation department alone, but don’t you think you might have forgotten something?”

“That’s right,” another director also started speaking along with Crawen’s words, “Disney started with animation, and for a very long time, we were at the pinnacle of the animation industry in the United States. No matter how many excellent animated characters Warner came up with, they couldn’t replace us. But now, what we’re most proud of is dying, even though they made the best 2D animation.”

“Lack of funds, lack of support, increasingly marginalized, that is the current situation of the animation department,” Crawen immediately added, not giving Eisner and others a chance to rebuke, “I know you’re great, Mike, there wouldn’t be a Disney today without you, but you’ve been too autocratic in some respects. We could have easily continued to maintain our advantage. Cox suggested more than once to keep the cooperation with Pixar, it was just a $10 million investment, at most the cost of a low-budget film, but you gave it up because of a few words from Adrian Cowell.”

Crawen raised his hands and then fell silent, but his meaning couldn’t be more obvious.

“No one really thought Pixar could be so successful, I think anyone in that situation at that time would’ve made the same decision,” one of the directors on Eisner’s side immediately piped up.

“At least our current opponent, Adrian Cowell, had that foresight,” Crawen said bluntly.

“Are you implying that his insight is unrivaled?” a neutral director said suggestively.

Crawen was stunned for a moment but quickly caught on, that comment was tantamount to saying Michael Eisner couldn’t even match a young man’s judgment. Under normal circumstances, Eisner might have just laughed it off, but what his reaction would be now was hard to say, as the speaker was obviously trying to stir up trouble. However, Crawen quickly put it out of his mind; he had already completely offended Eisner, so adding a little more didn’t matter.

“Anyway, I think we should give an explanation to the board,” he spread his hands in a “it’s up to you” gesture and then shut his mouth, saying no more.

The conference room fell silent as all eyes turned to the chairman seated at the head of the table. Eisner, still expressionless, finally spoke again, “I remember when the meeting began, the main topic was discussing how to further and comprehensively proceed with the acquisition of ABC. Why has it turned into an inquisition about this minor issue?”

Before Crawen could speak, Eisner immediately continued, “Indeed, everyone knows that Adrian Cowell has an exceptional eye, which is why we are here discussing how to complete this acquisition quickly. Why then has the subject inexplicably shifted to other matters?”

“I am simply exercising my rights,” Crawen immediately retorted. But under the nearly ten years of Eisner’s imposing authority, it didn’t sound very convincing.

“Is that so? In that case, should I resign from my position as chairman right away?” Eisner finally let out a hint of a cold smile.

Crawen’s face instantly turned sour. Of course, that was his intention; otherwise, why would he meticulously bring up this issue at this time? But how could such thoughts be expressed openly now? Instantly, the conference room grew even quieter, and the temperature seemed to drop several degrees. Eisner, the old fox, had managed with a simple statement to make everyone unable to speak again.

After a long while, Eisner stood up casually, “Well, it seems there’s nothing else for today. This meeting is adjourned.”

He left without looking back, and only then did everyone in the conference room breathe a sigh of relief. Those who were acquainted exchanged a few words and then left the meeting room with varying expressions. Crawen was the last to leave. Despite some foreboding, he tightened his tie and tried his best to appear calm.

“Hey, Mike, I was just looking for you.” Just as Eisner was about to return to his office, a familiar voice called out to him, and Michael Ovitz appeared in front of him with a full-faced smile.

“Something wrong? The meeting didn’t go well?” He immediately sensed something unusual.

“Just tell me what it is,” Eisner asked brusquely.

Ovitz frowned at that but, seeing that Eisner was not in a good mood, he didn’t press further and promptly discussed work, “Regarding the acquisition of ABC and the television station, I have a concept I need your support for; perhaps we could…”

“Just do as I say!” Eisner interrupted without any courtesy.

A look of astonishment briefly crossed Ovitz’s face, and his frown deepened, “You haven’t yet heard my detailed proposal, Mike. Even if you have other views, you should at least…”

“I don’t need to hear your description, Mike!” Eisner suddenly turned his head, looking at him with icy eyes, “You just need to do as I say. Understand?!”

Stunned, Ovitz stared back at him, completely befuddled by the situation. Although both were named Michael, calling each other “Mike” in this way seemed somewhat comical; however, no one around dared to laugh. In fact, they had long since kept their distance, as such conflicts between a chairman and a CEO were better left unnoticed.

“Fine, you’re the chairman; you make the call.” After a tense stand-off, Ovitz finally chose to concede, raising his hands and waving them feebly in resignation.

Eisner did not say another word and turned to stride down the corridor, quickly disappearing from Ovitz’s sight. Only then did Ovitz raise his hands and look around at the empty surroundings, letting out a half-mocking, half-irate hum.

“If all I have to do is as you say, then what the hell do I need this CEO title for?!”

(To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (wuxiaworld.site) to vote and support the author. Your support is my greatest motivation.)