re: Minions was not very good

Pixar has earned that rep. Since John Lasseter of Pixar took over Disney Animation post-merger, Disney Animation has also earned that rep. Tangled was the first Disney Animation movie under John Lasseter. Of course, that was followed by Wreck-It Ralph, Frozen, and Big Heron6.

These other animation studios seem to start strong then quickly fizzle, going back to Don Bluth's animation company in the 80's that was bankrupt by the mid-90's. Dreamworks started strong with Antz and then Shrek and Madagascar, but it can hardly make a profit any more even with established properties. It sounds like Illumination Entertainment might be headed down that path.

Pixar's process, and now Disney Animation's process, or making each movie once, scratching it, and starting over with lessons learned has allowed them to maintain a very high quality. Inside Out was redone 7 times before they finally got the story they wanted and liked.