Written by: Kevin Berge
Woody and Buzz, the greatest duo in entertainment since Riggs and Murtaugh. (Image Courtesy of: bbc.com)
Quick Take: Toy Story stands as one of the greatest animated films ever made, using a simple concept to its fullest, exploring adolescence from an outside perspective and its effect on belonging. Fantastic characters and voice acting alongside the first view of Pixar's computer-generated animation make this a great film for all ages.
***This is a detailed review of Toy Story, breaking down the elements of its construction that make it an enduring animated classic. There will be heavy spoilers, so those who have not seen the movie before should watch it before reading on.***
In 1988, a little animation studio called Pixar finished a short film known as Tin Toy using computer-generated animation that was so good it won an Academy Award and caught Walt Disney Company's attention. Tasked with creating a full film based on the short film by Disney, the studio began a long process of creating their first feature length film.
Toy Story was the result of a long-drawn out process with four writers at the helm at different points in the process. With a new animation style alongside a new studio, the movie had no right to be as good as it was, but it stands as one of the greatest animation films ever made, launching a studio that has defined animation since.
While I grew up with many great animated films particularly from Disney's Renaissance Era, Toy Story stands as the one that has only improved with time. Somewhat an obsession among my friends in high school, I have broken down and analyzed the movie from start to finish many times, yet it has never faltered, barely showing faults.
When Andy's birthday party is pushed up a week, his toys are not ready for the arrival of a new exciting Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen). In particular, Andy's favorite Woody (Tom Hanks) must face the potential reality of losing his spot at the top to this space ranger who has no idea he is a toy and only wants to return to Star Command.
At a mere 81 minutes, Toy Story is a breeze, already hitting its emotional climaxes within the first 40 minutes. The story is simple yet elegant with enough for everyone. You rarely see a film that feels so different at different ages with its darkness hidden behind the charm of the atmosphere and fast-moving comedy.
However, this is a tale about disillusionment. Just as Woody must accept that he can't always be Andy's favorite, Buzz must accept that he is not a superhero but just a children's play thing. Ultimately, they are both being told that they are unique but rather just one of many and can only do so much.
At its core, this is a buddy film where Woody and Buzz must learn to work together to save themselves from the clutches of the toy-exploding Sid and return to their home before Andy moves which has nice action that is animated so well it holds up even today. Still, the mature undertones are always present.
In 1988, a little animation studio called Pixar finished a short film known as Tin Toy using computer-generated animation that was so good it won an Academy Award and caught Walt Disney Company's attention. Tasked with creating a full film based on the short film by Disney, the studio began a long process of creating their first feature length film.
Toy Story was the result of a long-drawn out process with four writers at the helm at different points in the process. With a new animation style alongside a new studio, the movie had no right to be as good as it was, but it stands as one of the greatest animation films ever made, launching a studio that has defined animation since.
While I grew up with many great animated films particularly from Disney's Renaissance Era, Toy Story stands as the one that has only improved with time. Somewhat an obsession among my friends in high school, I have broken down and analyzed the movie from start to finish many times, yet it has never faltered, barely showing faults.
When Andy's birthday party is pushed up a week, his toys are not ready for the arrival of a new exciting Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen). In particular, Andy's favorite Woody (Tom Hanks) must face the potential reality of losing his spot at the top to this space ranger who has no idea he is a toy and only wants to return to Star Command.
At a mere 81 minutes, Toy Story is a breeze, already hitting its emotional climaxes within the first 40 minutes. The story is simple yet elegant with enough for everyone. You rarely see a film that feels so different at different ages with its darkness hidden behind the charm of the atmosphere and fast-moving comedy.
However, this is a tale about disillusionment. Just as Woody must accept that he can't always be Andy's favorite, Buzz must accept that he is not a superhero but just a children's play thing. Ultimately, they are both being told that they are unique but rather just one of many and can only do so much.
At its core, this is a buddy film where Woody and Buzz must learn to work together to save themselves from the clutches of the toy-exploding Sid and return to their home before Andy moves which has nice action that is animated so well it holds up even today. Still, the mature undertones are always present.
Sure, Sid's the bad guy, but Mr. Potato Head is clearly antagonist #2. (Image Courtesy of: terrymalloyspigeoncoop.com)
This is important for an animated film though. Animation allows freedom to the creators to tell more fantastical stories and appeal to a wider audience, but it can often be a crutch. The best animation can be emotional and funny at any age because it knows how to appeal to any viewer.
Pixar has always been brilliant at capturing stories of true merit behind cute computer generation, and Toy Story was the originator. Even to this day, the film is considered among the greatest of all animation as well as its sequels because there is something here to love for everyone.
Of course it helped to have Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump) and Tim Allen (Home Improvement) at the helm who had fantastic chemistry together even with only their voices. Allen in particular sells the movie's focus as he uses Buzz's status as the one not in on the joke to carry dead pan humor and honest emotion.
The script of this film is fantastic despite so many having their hands on it. Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) is often given top billing on the writing for his final edit of the script that made it such a classic, but one of Pixar's best Andrew Stanton (Wall-E) also had his hands in the work.
Of course the man who truly deserves credit for Toy Story is John Lasseter who planned out the original story and directed the movie. This was Lasseter's creation from start to finish and saved his career as the founding project of the studio he co-founded with Lucasfilm's Ed Catmull after being fired from Disney.
The music in Toy Story is also a surprisingly important element of the movie. While not a musical like other Disney animation in that time, the film uses a non-diegetic soundtrack to capture the changing moods. Randy Newman pens multiple catchy tunes that have stuck with the series including "You've Got a Friend in Me", "Strange Things", and "I Will Go Sailing No More".
If there is an issue with Toy Story, it is the somewhat lackluster use of the supporting cast. Most of Andy's toys are mostly just around to play off the main duo in the first film. Mr. Potato Head often comes as overly antagonistic. Rex plays off one joke. Slinky and RC are mostly just props. Luckily, this is somewhat remedied in the sequels.
In some ways, this was unavoidable for the movie to be such a quick-moving story. Only two characters could end being the focus, and it is only because the characters have such memorable personality that it feels like they are underutilized. As a whole, you will hardly find a movie out there that is more perfectly constructed.
Pixar has always been brilliant at capturing stories of true merit behind cute computer generation, and Toy Story was the originator. Even to this day, the film is considered among the greatest of all animation as well as its sequels because there is something here to love for everyone.
Of course it helped to have Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump) and Tim Allen (Home Improvement) at the helm who had fantastic chemistry together even with only their voices. Allen in particular sells the movie's focus as he uses Buzz's status as the one not in on the joke to carry dead pan humor and honest emotion.
The script of this film is fantastic despite so many having their hands on it. Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) is often given top billing on the writing for his final edit of the script that made it such a classic, but one of Pixar's best Andrew Stanton (Wall-E) also had his hands in the work.
Of course the man who truly deserves credit for Toy Story is John Lasseter who planned out the original story and directed the movie. This was Lasseter's creation from start to finish and saved his career as the founding project of the studio he co-founded with Lucasfilm's Ed Catmull after being fired from Disney.
The music in Toy Story is also a surprisingly important element of the movie. While not a musical like other Disney animation in that time, the film uses a non-diegetic soundtrack to capture the changing moods. Randy Newman pens multiple catchy tunes that have stuck with the series including "You've Got a Friend in Me", "Strange Things", and "I Will Go Sailing No More".
If there is an issue with Toy Story, it is the somewhat lackluster use of the supporting cast. Most of Andy's toys are mostly just around to play off the main duo in the first film. Mr. Potato Head often comes as overly antagonistic. Rex plays off one joke. Slinky and RC are mostly just props. Luckily, this is somewhat remedied in the sequels.
In some ways, this was unavoidable for the movie to be such a quick-moving story. Only two characters could end being the focus, and it is only because the characters have such memorable personality that it feels like they are underutilized. As a whole, you will hardly find a movie out there that is more perfectly constructed.
Final verdict:
Three Defining Success
Three Defining Success
- Funny and emotional writing that is both excellent in dialogue and as an overarching central plot.
- Fantastic use of computer generation that began a new era of animation.
- Randy Newman's fantastic score that underscores the central story.
- A host of characters that feel one note due to their lack of use.
- Pixar founded a form of animation that revolutionized the business and mastered it at the same time. Even Disney attempted to follow suit only to fall into a rut by moving so far away from hand drawn animation.