TOY STORY (1995)
Film of the Day #255
TOY STORY
1995 • John LasseterCast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, John Ratzenberger, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, Jim Varney
Screenplay: Joss Whedon, Andrew Stanton, Joel Cohen, Alec Sokolow; Story by John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, Joe Ranft
Music: Randy Newman
Walt Disney Pictures
YOU - ARE - A... *TOY*! You aren't the real Buzz Lightyear, you're... you're, you're an action figure!
What do toys do when you humans leave the room? Turns out they have rich complex lives and go on amazing adventures. Who knew? If you didn’t have a childhood in the 1990s or don’t have children with a Disney+ account, Toy Story is about Woody, a cowboy doll who is the favorite toy of a boy named Andy, and Buzz Lightyear, a space-themed action figure. After Andy receives Buzz as a birthday gift, Buzz seemingly replaces Woody as the coveted favorite toy in the bedroom. Further complicating matters, and frustrating Woody, is that Buzz is unaware of his real nature, and thinks he is the Buzz Lightyear, on a secret mission in uncharted space. When Woody and Buzz find themselves lost in the outside world, they must overcome their differences and work together to find their way back home to Andy.
Toy Story posed a question that had lingered in the minds of kids for generations: What if our toys came to life? What if, when the bedroom door is closed and the lights go out, toys come alive and embark on their own adventures? Toy Story provides a delightful exploration of this idea, creating a world where toys have distinct personalities, fears, and dreams. The concept of toys having a secret life when humans aren't around is both enchanting and relatable, sparking the curiosity of children while resonating with the nostalgia of adults who once also had active imaginations.
In 1995, computer technology was just beginning to make its mark on the film industry. Computers had been used infrequently in movies like TRON and Young Sherlock Holmes to create special effects. Movies like Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Jurassic Park used computer-generated imagery (CGI) to bring impossible things to life on the big screen in live-action films. Even Disney films like The Rescuers Down Under, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin used some CGI in background shots and some animation. But it wasn’t until Toy Story that an entire film was animated completely on computers. Toy Story stands as a pioneer in utilizing CGI to bring its characters and world to life. While the animation may show its age in the depiction of humans and Spud the dog, the overall impact is remarkable considering the technological limitations of the time.
Looking back, it's easy to forget the groundbreaking nature of Toy Story. The film's success paved the way for a wave of animated movies that followed a similar formula, with Pixar's subsequent hits like Monsters Inc and Finding Nemo, as well as DreamWorks' Shrek. However, when Toy Story first hit the screens, its unique blend of animation, wit, humor, and heart was a breath of fresh air in the cinematic landscape. Toy Story not only put Pixar on the map but also set the standard for excellence in animation. The film marked the beginning of a legacy that would see Pixar consistently delivering captivating stories with cutting-edge animation technology.
- Excuse me, I think the word you're searching for is "Space Ranger".
- The word I'm searching for - I can't say, because there are preschool toys present.
Notable Awards & Accomplishments
Academy Award Winner: Special Achievement Award - For the development and inspired application of techniques that have made possible the first feature-length computer-animated film.
Academy Award Nominee: Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Academy Award Nominee: Best Music, Original Song - “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” (Randy Newman)
Streaming: Disney+
Digital Rental/Purchase: Available at major digital retailers
Physical Media: Available on 4K, Blu-Ray and DVD
