On Nov. 22, 1995, we were introduced to Buzz and Woody when Toy Story hit theaters. The CGI title, now a franchise, was nominated for four Oscars at the 68th Academy Awards. Pixar's first animated extravaganza was the first ever full-length computer animated feature. In the wrong hands this could merely have been a novelty stretched to film length. In the more than capable digits of computer wizards Pixar and director John Lasseter, however, the result is triumphant. A hilarious, original, terrifically entertaining movie refreshingly free of sentimentality and a resounding box office success worldwide. The plot centres around the concept that toys have a life of their own. Six-year-old Andy's favourite toy is Sheriff Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), a cowboy doll, who is the leader over Andy's toy box until the arrival of Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), an arrogant "Space Ranger" action figure whose technological accoutrements and "impressive wing-span" quickly steal Andy's affections. As soon as Andy finishes playing, the toys magically come to life along with Woody and Buzz, we have Slinky Dog, Mr. Potato Head, Hamm, Rex, Sarge, and Bo Peep. Apart from the growing jealousy, Woody and Buzz's relationship is hindered by the latter's conviction that he is a real superhero instead of a mass-produced plastic figure. It takes a string of mishaps that culminate in the pair becoming ensnared by next-door neighbour Sid - a pint-sized psycho who blows up toys for kicks - for them to bury their differences and escape back to their squeaky-clean extended family before an impending house move.
Lending their considerable vocal talents, Hanks and Allen embellish the visual magic with a couple of winning characterizations, while Rickles' made-to-measure Mr. Potato Head and Shawn's neurotic dino provide some expert comic backup. Starting with Tom Hanks, who brings an invaluable heft and believability to Woody, "Toy Story" is one of the best voiced animated features in memory, with all the actors making their presences strongly felt. No matter that the main protagonists are a floppy, pull-string cowboy doll and the goofy, plastic space ranger – we come to care for their fates every bit as much as if they'd been played by real actors. Toys, we learn, are prey to the same emotions as their human owners. They know about love (Mr Potatohead longs for a Mrs Potatohead, Bo-Peep has a soft spot for Woody); about fear (mainly that they'll end up discarded in some garage sale); and about jealousy (in toyland, your rank depends on how popular you are with your child master).
The duo's imprisonment in the home of Sid, the evil boy-next-door, whose favourite hobby is toy mutilation results in the two rather fighting for their lives and outsmarting a human child. In a refreshing break from the American tradition that all screen children must combine cuteness with ingenuous wit, the brats in Toy Story are realistically unpleasant. Sid straps firecrackers on to his action figures, feeds sweet little space creatures to his vicious dog, and grafts a pterodactyl's head on to his sister's favourite dolly. The scene in his bedroom – wherein lurks a collection of mutant toys including a hideous depilated doll's head on a Meccano tarantula body, it was such a risk by Lassater to include such scenes that could be classed as traumatising to some viewers. It's this sort of conviction which elevates his film so far above its peers. The scary scenes really are scary; the action scenes – especially the chase at the end – thrilling; and the comic moments genuinely funny.
A pioneer in the field of computer animation, Pixar and its vp creative development John Lasseter came out with something of a prototype for Toy Story in 1989 with its Oscar-winning short, "Tin Toy." Building significantly on that initial theme, director Lasseter and a group of screenwriters, including Joss Whedon, Andrew Stanton, Joel Cohen and Alec Sokolow, have successfully stitched together an endlessly creative "buddy movie" that pushes all the requisite Disney buttons. When Toy Story first hit theatres, it was nothing short of groundbreaking. The CGI was and still in a class by itself. The toys are rendered highly realistic. When you look at Woody, you don’t see a toy; you feel that he is alive. The adults in the movie, though, are more cartoon-ish in their creation. I believe this is planned to keep the focal point on the true stars of the movie, the toys. Also adding a nice warm human touch to the eye-popping technology is Randy Newman's whimsical score, including the tune "You've Got a Friend in Me," in which he duets with Lyle Lovett over the closing credits. The songs of Randy Newman blend perfectly with the story. Newman’s song, “You Got a Friend in Me” and “Strange Things" helps with the storytelling and keeps the movie from being bogged down with time consuming plot developments.
Toy Story's virtual world is breathtakingly realised. The shadows fall in the right places. The humans move like real people. The toys behave exactly as you would expect they would if they could walk and talk: the tiny, plastic soldiers waddle along on their flat stands, the plastic dinosaur Rex keeps threatening to topple over on the shiny wooden floor, and spaceman Buzz Lightyear exudes the musclebound awkwardness of a stellar hero with retractable wings and karate-chop arm action. CGI aside, all of us, realise that story and character development are the keys to an excellent movie. Special effects alone won’t make you fall in love with a movie. The story and characters in Toy Story are superior to most live action movies. Let us be reminded of the importance of Toy Story not just as a classic, but in its execution of animation. This was the first full-length animated film to be completed with computer graphics rather than traditional animation. Not only was this the first, but it also set the tone for Pixar and for the entire field of animation in the years to follow. While you can tell the difference between the Toy Story sequels in regards to quality, the original still holds up to this day. The risk that was taken with Toy Story helped pave the way for an entire industry people including myself who aspired to be animators purely due to this iconic movie. Toy Story shaped me into the person I am today and the 3D artist I aspire to be, and it is because of this that it holds such a special place in my heart.
Easter Eggs
#1 The Luxo Ball & Pizza Planet Truck
When Buzz wants to prove that he’s a REAL space ranger who can actually fly, he uses an iconic yellow, blue and red ball to give him a bit of bounce. It’s the iconic Luxo Ball, which featured in its very own series of Pixar shorts the first being Luxo Jr. Toy Story was also the Pizza Planet pizza truck’s first appearance which has since appeared in every Pixar movie along with the Luxo ball.
#2 Buzz Aldrin
The name Buzz actually came from Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, and Lightyear references the distance that a beam of light travels in a year.
#3 A-113
Another fun reference that makes its way into every Pixar movie is that of A-113, a nod to the room that a lot of the animators at Pixar studied in at Cal Arts. The very first time we see this is on Andy's mum's license plate .
#4 Books
Remember when Woody called the toys together to discuss Andy’s birthday in front of the bookshelf? Well, those books behind him held their own seriously cool secrets. The books on Andy’s shelf are titled after many of the previous Pixar shorts including The Adventures of Andre and Wally B (Pixar’s first ever short, made before the company had even been named) Tin Toy, Knick Knack and Red’s Dream. Note that the Tin Toybook is written by “Lassiter”.
#5 Hidden Mickey
The very first hidden Mickey in a Pixar feature film animation is the Mickey Mouse watch on Andy’s wall.
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