A home run for Pixar and their innovations, Win or Lose is a grounded and endearing show full of original characters tackling big emotions during an exciting week in their shared lives.
Win or Lose Review
Pixar has always been known for its innovative animation as well as the way they approach their storytelling. This is a studio that takes big events and emotions and crafts films that appeal to all ages. Sometimes they are encouraging you to seize your future. Others, they gently want you to acknowledge your feelings – if you're watching a Pixar film you fully expect to tear up if not outright ugly cry at least once. There was one animated frontier they had yet to conquer- TV. Sure we've had some great shorts and even mini-episodes like the recent Inside Out spin-off Dream Productions, but those have always been existing characters and stories that take place inside a well-known universe.
Now it's time to play ball. Pixar's first original TV show has arrived. In the same vein as Inside Out and the more recent Turning Red, Win or Lose is a show about the lives of tweens, the adults in their lives, and the challenges they all face. This is an anthology series that follows a tween co-ed softball team who somehow made it to the championships. Each episode focuses on a different member of the team or a close adult (the umpire, a busy mom, etc). Based on the point of view, the animation and tone shift, giving the series a uniqueness that helps it stand out amongst other shows aimed at families. But ultimately, what I enjoyed most is that it is less about the game and more about the way each person experienced the week leading up to it. This method of storytelling allows the audience to get to know these characters on a personal level, making them feel like old friends rather than strangers.
The first episode introducesTeam Pickles, a co-ed softball team coached by Dan (Will Forte). This ragtag group has won a pivotal game and are headed to the championships. But before that win, the story focuses on Dan's daughter Laurie (Rosie Foss) who wants nothing more than to impress her dad and prove herself a worthy member of the team. Her anxiety soon manifests into Sweaty Blob (Jo Firestone) who follows her around, growing bigger and heavier the more Laurie worries about everything. Sweaty isn't visible to anyone else which goes for all the visual metaphors the characters take on in their stories, such as a shapeshifting overachiever and a shy teacher with a suit of armor. From there the episodes shift, following a different character on or close to Team Pickles, leading up to the finale which is sure to center on the big game itself.
At its heart, Win or Lose is about seeing the world through another's perspective. What seems like something simple or routine to one person, is perceived and processed differently by another. It's a story about reminding us that everyone we meet has their own hardships and joys…that a little understanding can go a long way. It never gets preachy or heavy-handed in its messaging, keeping it digestible for its all-ages audience. Sometimes it makes you actually laugh out loud or causes you to think about your own thoughts on a similar situation. Regardless of the POV, Win or Lose imagines how both tweens and adults process emotional challenges and brings it to life in a funny and heartfelt way.
Having each episode shift and tweak the animation not only gives us insight into the titular character, but also adds a layer of entertainment. You never know what is going to happen when the POV pivots to someone new. If they are into fantasy they might imagine themselves as a warrior, dressed in armor to protect them from pain. Maybe they are the oldest daughter, who feels like they have to be the parent when their single mom is overwhelmed. And what does every adult need? Shoulder pads in a suit. For my fellow millennials, you'll get some Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead vibes. This approach also offers a healthy dose of Saturday morning cartoon nostalgia. Whether you watched shows like Looney Tunes, Peanuts, or X-Men, Win or Lose feels like a homage to not only their visual stylings but also the way they told meaningful stories they may or may not have wrapped up in a single episode.
Verdict
Ultimately, Win or Lose is a home run for Pixar, showcasing the innovative animation and storytelling the studio is known for. It's a unique project for them, both in the fact that it features entirely new characters as well as how it handles a multitude of themes and emotions. With amazing visuals, heartwarming character arcs, and the ability to tackle big issues in that sweet Pixar way, Win or Lose is a must-watch series for all ages. Let's go Team Pickles!
The first 2 episodes of Win or Lose are now streaming on Disney+. Each Wednesday through March 12, 2 new episodes will drop.
Leave a Reply