Watch Pixar 2021 Disney Day Special

As the year 2021 comes to a close, Disney+ once again treats its viewers to a special Pixar 2021 Disney+ Day event, featuring three of the most illustrious and innovative directors of Pixar Animation Studios. Pete Docter, Angus MacLane, and Domee Shi each take their turn on the virtual stage to unveil previews of their upcoming animated movies, share insights on their creative processes, and offer timely reflections on the impact of their art form in the midst of ever-changing social landscapes.

Pete Docter, who has directed such Pixar classics as Up and Inside Out, opens the show with a sneak peek of his latest offering, Turning Red. The movie centers on a 13-year-old girl named Mei Lee, who, despite her best efforts to lead a normal teenage life, finds herself turning into a giant red panda whenever she gets too excited. In the clip shown at the event, Mei Lee is seen struggling to keep her transformation under control during a pivotal moment in her school talent show. Docter remarks that the movie is inspired by his own experiences as a father and the challenges of raising a teenage daughter. He also reveals that the film features a predominantly Asian cast, in keeping with Pixar's commitment to authenticity and diversity in storytelling.

Next up is Angus MacLane, who has directed several Pixar shorts and has worked on such box-office hits as Finding Nemo and Toy Story 3. MacLane's new movie, Lightyear, pays tribute to the iconic character of Buzz Lightyear, originally voiced by Tim Allen, by offering an origin story that delves into the astronaut's past and how he became the space ranger we know and love. The film features Chris Evans as the voice of Lightyear and promises to be a visually stunning blend of science fiction and action-adventure. MacLane describes the movie as a passion project that he has been developing for years, and he emphasizes how the prospect of expanding the Toy Story universe has provided him with endless creative possibilities.

Finally, Domee Shi, who won an Academy Award for her directorial debut with the Pixar short Bao, closes the event with a preview of her new feature film, Turning Red. The movie tells the story of a young Chinese-Canadian girl named Mei Lee, who experiences an identity crisis when she realizes that her mother's overprotectiveness is preventing her from living a fulfilling life. The clip shown at the event features a hilarious and heartwarming exchange between Mei and her mother, who becomes emotionally supportive of her daughter's desire for independence. Shi, who was born in China and raised in Canada, explains how the movie blends her personal experiences with universal themes of adolescence and intergenerational conflict. She also shares how Switching Red is the first Pixar film to feature a solo female director.

Throughout the event, the three directors offer insights into their unique approaches to animation, their passion for storytelling, and their unwavering commitment to excellence that has made Pixar a household name for over three decades. The special also features appearances from other Pixar luminaries, including John Ratzenberger, the voice of Hamm from Toy Story, and Ed Catmull, the co-founder of Pixar. With the event, Pixar and Disney+ have once again shown their dedication to pushing the boundaries of animation and offering audiences unforgettable cinematic experiences that are equal parts entertaining, thought-provoking, and inspiring.

Pixar 2021 Disney Day Special is a 2021 documentary.