Rating: 5/5
Synopsis:
The first Pixar film turns 30! “Toy Story” kickstarted it all, where a boy named Andy has a large set of beloved toys. The toys come to life when he is not around, working together to bring him as much happiness as possible. Woody, a confident cowboy doll, leads this group. But when Andy gets a new Buzz Lightyear toy for his birthday, Woody feels he is being replaced as Andy’s favorite toy. His jealousy gets him and Buzz into a tricky situation with the neighbor boy who tortures toys for fun. Can Woody and Buzz put aside their differences and return to Andy safely?
Positives:
Simply put, “Toy Story” is one of the greatest animated films ever made. Its lasting impact on the film industry is undeniable, pioneering the importance of family entertainment that is enjoyable for both children and adults. Pixar tapped into something special with this one, continuing this string of success for many years to come. I absolutely love this film! Getting to see it on the big screen for the first time was such a treat. I saw many parents taking their young children to see it (likely for the first time). Seeing families radiate joy and laughter together made the experience that much better. I even found myself laughing out loud for probably half the movie. There isn’t a film that comes to mind which represents how important animated films are. “Toy Story” challenges the idea that only kids can enjoy these types of movies. Pixar added enough humor, action, and touching messages about friendship to make this a wonderful ride for the whole family. The film is also perfectly paced, which will keep younger audiences locked in at an eighty-one minute runtime.
Genuinely, this is some of the best voice acting of all time. When audiences think of Woody and Buzz, they immediately correlate them to Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. These two actors embody the characters, featuring a range of powerful emotions that match the expressive nature of the animation. The two performers have wonderful chemistry with one another, whether it be bantering about being a space ranger or how to evade Sid’s torturous intentions. Tom Hanks delivers the confident yet insecure nature of Woody, a toy with good intentions as long as the spotlight isn’t taken away from him. We see his transformation throughout the film as he learns humility, realizing the importance of putting Andy first. Then there’s Buzz, a delusional toy who believes he is a space ranger, who comes to find his limitations as the film goes on. Tim Allen has excellent delivery, helping audiences connect to Buzz as he figures himself out throughout the film. The rest of the voice cast does a wonderful job too, giving each toy a sense of unique personality. Each supporting character feels integral to the central story, helping us care about every single one of them. Because of this commitment from the cast, each scene is equally memorable. I couldn’t help but smile!
Not only does the film pioneer the computerized animation style, it is an extremely touching film with so many nice messages. The idea of toys secretly working together to make their child’s life more meaningful is so creative. But real feelings of jealousy and resentment come into play, forcing Buzz and Woody to set aside their differences to work together. These are important messages for younger viewers to see as they navigate their lives into adulthood. The two toys go on a journey together that leads to very important lessons, helping them both become better individuals. This also leaves an impact on the rest of the toys due to Buzz and Woody’s leadership. The film also highlights ideas of different stages in a child’s life, where their preferences may change as they go into the next stage of life. Woody must overcome his jealousy for the betterment of his community, while Buzz must come to terms with the idea that he is, in fact, a toy. These characters grapple with uncomfortable feelings that both children and adults experience, making the story extremely relatable. These messages are timeless and play into the easy rewatchability of the film.
Negatives:
I struggle to find anything wrong with “Toy Story”. It’s a rare film that is so seamless in its execution that it hits every single note one could hope for. The only aspect of the film that doesn’t hold up as well is the computer effects. Comparing it to the newer entries in the series, it’s clear this animation was in the beginning stages of its development. But for the time, it was game changing. It’s hard to hold that against the film because it produced such beautifully creative animation techniques for many years to come.
Conclusion:
“Toy Story” is a generational film, pioneering historic achievements in animation while crafting a wonderfully sweet story for audiences of all ages to enjoy. I could watch the movie every year and still enjoy it just as much. It’s exciting, hilarious, and heartfelt. It’s one of those special experiences that manages to connect to audiences on levels they may not have expected. Tim Allen and Tom Hanks lead the charge with exceptional voice acting, bringing these characters to life and inspiring generations of fans. The story features themes that connect to audiences of all ages, still holding weight to this day. It’s bright, it’s inspiring, and it holds up. A truly wonderful film that stands the test of time. I’d encourage audiences of any age to not walk…but run to the theaters to catch this gem while it’s available. Truly, this is the definition of movie magic!
