The Pixar/Marvel/Lucasfilm Bracket, Round 5

Well, friends, there’s just a few more days left in the Pixar/Marvel/Lucasfilm bracket, with a new bracket on the way over the weekend. Let’s get right to my picks among the Final Four.

(1) Toy Story vs. (3) Finding Nemo: As I type these words, this matchup is ongoing with Toy Story holding a moderate lead. And whatever else is true, Toy Story is my pick. It started off the studio, and it did so in a way that still holds up remarkably well. The animation in Nemo is vastly more accomplished and impressive. I can’t deny that. But Toy Story manages to be both very influential and genuinely entertaining in ways that few other Pixar films can claim. These are both excellent films, but I’m with Sheriff Woody.

(2) The Empire Strikes Back vs. (1) Black Panther: So, I bet that this one will go to the Wakandan King. That’s just my hunch. But I’m voting for Empire, because I think it’s a better all-around film. There are many aspects of Black Panther that I love, and I think it deserves to be chosen as the best MCU film among this overall bracket. But it’s still an MCU film, which means it’s victim to some overused tropes in the franchise. The same isn’t true of the second Star Wars film. I give it to Broom Boy’s dad—er, Luke Skywalker.