Win or Lose

I am not one to watch many series, nor have I seen much of Disney+'s offerings after having been a subscriber from the company's inception. Imagine my surprise when I casted this onto my TV to keep as background noise while I got some work done. Whether fortunate or unfortunate (depending on who you're asking), I got very little work done, as I was immediately drawn by this show's warm sensibilities, and dialed-in art style. After two episodes, I can frankly say that this truly came out of left field (pun unintentional, but welcome). The show's patiently reliable Pixar style seems to be riskier than films from eras past-with safe, predictable choices forfeited for visual gags and endearingly awkward punchlines that seem to come a mile-a-minute. This seems to be a show with a lot of hearts. Plural is apt here, as it seems to take the approach of unfolding the lead-up to a single calamitous event by unfolding the trajectories of each character's week leading up to the night in question. This, I believe, is where the show seems to take shape and really shine. As a watcher, I get the sense that one of the most challenging things to do for movies/series in the vein of "Win or Lose" lies in striking a correct tonal balance between being complex, sincere, and dynamic enough to win over mature audiences, whilst being simple and funny enough to not alienate the children who may be watching. Thus "family" humor seems to be something that is very hit-or-miss (there are the surprise baseball puns again). The subject matter of the episodes seem to draw from previous offerings like Inside Out-with an anthropomorphic depiction of insecurity and anxiety in one character's vignette-and Onward-with an unapologetically nerd-core game approach to "love" and "building up walls" as with another character. It seems to swing for the fences in every regard, oscillating between painfully human encounters with magical realism punchlines that blur the lines between what one person is experiencing in their inner world and what is actually happening. In this sense, it reminds me very much of Apple TV's "The Afterparty", to any of those who managed to find the stylings of that show appealing, if not varied in quality.

The cast of characters even seem to have adopted the successes of "Turning Red", opting for characters who ooze a winsome kind of awkwardness that feel neither forced, nor derivative. Episode 2 ends with an overture, rather than a crescendo-Billy Holiday's "No Regrets". After just two episodes, I decided to create an IMDB account, if merely to add my voice to the choir about how much I enjoy this show, after just two episodes. They hit it out of the park, bases loaded, with this one.

I had such low hopes coming from this series, but boy did it prove me wrong! The first & second episode were okay but by the third & fourth episode I was hooked! The final was a perfect ending for the series, don't get me wrong this series has flaws but that's what makes it special. My favorite episode was by far Kai's episode and I related a lot to it. That's what is also so great about this show, it is relatable for people of ALL ages.

Just think about it. There is an episode about anxiety, there is an episode about the struggle of letting your guard down, there is an episode about a child having to take care of their parent, there is an episode about the struggles of being a single mom just trying to provide for your kids, there is an episode about a kid getting taking advantage of by manipulative older kids, there is an episode about using humor as a coping mechanism, there is an episode about the pressure that comes from being the star player of ANY sport team, and there is an episode a single dad just trying to hold it in all together. There is such a wide variety of struggles that is is almost impossible not to relate to a character, their struggles, or their personalities.

Dear, Disney/Pixar. Please make more of your creativity show through with more projects like these.

I've seen a lot of reviews saying Win or Lose is unsuitable for children. While the themes are certainly more mature, the animation is fantastic, and much of the deeper context will likely go over younger viewers' heads. That said, the show does an incredible job of visualising emotions in a way that younger audiences can understand and relate to.

As a young adult, I really struggled with rage. I had no idea where it came from and found it hard to articulate. Seeing something like this when I was 12 or 13 could have made a huge difference in my life.

I love that Pixar is creating stories that help young people understand and express their emotions, offering visuals that make these complex feelings more accessible. It's a wonderful thing, and I truly believe this show will help a new generation not only process their own emotions but also develop compassion for the adults in their lives.

It's a beautiful show-heartbreaking at times-but ultimately delivers an important and necessary message.

Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Im going to be honest here to me Pixar has kinda fallen off in terms of production. This is coming from a guy who grew up in the age of Monster Inc, Wall-E, incredibles some of the ealry project pixar hit straight out of the park with. But this series i think has brought a little faith back with Pixar.

First the story telling Each episode having a different component is probably the best decision pixar made with this series in mind. Each episode having a separate focus allows us the viewer to see the every day chaos that a simple middle school softball team can have. It truly shows how not every has the same perception in life, not everyone sees things or hears things the same as others bits get left out, things get forgotten, and actions seem grander or more minimal. Like for example without spoiling you get a perspective of a mother and daughter, you first see the daughters POV and you end up hating on the mother then you watch the moms POV and you feel bad because now you see why she was doing all the stuff the daughter took for granted. It shows that perspective can change so much about how you see a person. And that in the game of life you can either win or loose.

Its a phenomenal series and i hope pixar makes more

I want to give it a 9/10 but some things like the final episode and marketing put it at a solid 8/10.

I am 31/F and thoroughly enjoyed all the episodes!! Though, I wish some characters had a little bit more of development. I was so interested in how the storylines all played together and how they animated the different people's emotions!! I have two small kiddos who are not into it, but honestly was watching it just for myself. It was so refreshing to finally have some quality content come out on Disney+ instead of storyline that they just slapped together.

I'm hoping that there's going to be another season that deals with something similar or uses the same intertwining story technique. Well done Pixar!!