I think it's just as easy to see it as evidence that Pixar is too large -- trying to focus on too many things. But the reality is that most creative endeavours

I think it's just as easy to see it as evidence that Pixar is too large -- trying to focus on too many things. But the reality is that most creative endeavours peter out a bit, because all long-lived creative endeavours exist in the context of nostalgia for their halcyon days. It's impossible for everyone to unsee what went before. And all creative endeavours eventually stray somewhat from self-reflection towards navel-gazing. (Like the Vision Pro, which is so completely a product of the totality of Apple culture that it is basically white cider, when what everyone is really keen to see is a very good scrumpy.)