Wisdom of Pixar, The (an animated look at virtue)

Insightfully exploring each of Pixar's movies and showing how they display the best of classic Christian virtues, Robert Velarde's book is a friendly companion for fans, parents and church leaders. Discover how the imagination of Pixar can awaken in you a Christian vision for a moral life and a better society.

Reviews & Endorsements

"In this insightful book, Velarde provides a great service to Christian families who love movies. His analysis of Pixar movies in light of their themes of identity, friendship, family, courage, ambition and other values is a great help for those who want a fuller, richer experience from their movie viewing. He helps to draw out important values from Pixar movies that illuminate for the viewer/reader that these movies are much more than family-friendly entertainment; they are modern parables of wisdom and virtue." --Brian Godawa, screenwriter, To End All Wars, and author, Hollywood Worldviews: Watching Films with Wisdom and Discernment<br /><br />"Thank you, Robert Velarde. Here is the book that needed to be. For years I could not help but notice certain spiritual connections in the amazing Pixar films--haven't you? Robert Velarde has given us a true gift with The Wisdom of Pixar. I highly recommend his book to all film-loving Christians. It is insightful and useful for both individuals and groups." --David Bruce, webmaster, HollywoodJesus.com<br /><br />"Robert Velarde's fascinating book The Wisdom of Pixar reminds us why Jesus engaged the culture of his time through the power of stories. After reading the book I wonder if the next generation of teaching pastors may be filmmakers. Velarde has done a great service by reminding us that virtue indeed matters, perhaps now more than ever." --Phil Cooke, CEO, Cooke Pictures, and author, Branding Faith

While careful to point out that Pixar does not tie all its films to theology, Velarde draws sensible conclusions and connections between the Christian life and many Pixar characters and plotlines. The themes of hope and imagination run throughout many of the films Remy from Ratatouille becomes fascinated with humans because of their creativity, for example. Velarde discusses the creativity of God and how humans created in His image also have the gift of imagination. Other themes such as justice, humor, love and even technology are explored in depth. Concise chapters and discussion questions make this book accessible for group studies. --Bonnie Bruner; Christian Retailing

Velarde (Conversations with C.S. Lewis) treats several of the very popular Pixar animated features e.g., Toy Story; A Bug's Life; Monsters, Inc.; Finding Nemo; WALL-e; and Up as sources for lessons about essential Christian virtues. Velarde does not reduce the films to parables or suggest that they are crypto-Christian; instead, he finds teachable virtues within them. Velarde's work here is in the tradition of Robert L. Short's The Gospel According to Peanuts and other titles in that series, and runs all the risks of the genre: sucking the joy out of a popular phenomenon, or burdening it with inappropriate or obvious meanings. On the whole, Velarde sidesteps these dangers. With its discussion questions, movie discussion guide, and appendixes on Pixar's plots, this is perfect for Christian discussion groups and should also serve Christian educators very well. An important purchase for many church libraries. ---Graham Christian -- Library Journal, 05/01/2010