27. BRAD BIRD
THE EVIDENCE: The Iron Giant (1999), The Incredibles (2004), Ratatouille (2007)
WHY HIM: Even in a place as hallowed as Pixar Animation, Bird's got the Midas Touch. After doing the impossible with the old-school toon The Iron Giant — he got us to shed real tears at a movie with Vin Diesel in it — the writer-director hatched a pair of Oscar winners for the CG dream factory. And even more impressive: both The Incredibles and Ratatouille were nominated for Best Original Screenplay Oscars as well. He combines story savvy, technical know-how, and mad character skillz. — Marc Bernardin
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