Considering Toy Story on its own you have the best childrens film I can recall. It was made by Pixar Productions which is an innovative company which Walt Disney bought. The techniques used in the making of the film were groundbreaking but in the end it is not the technical excellence that will stay with you, good though it is. No what will stay with you is the sheer exuberant fun in the film.
It does also have a moral and a message which is… well each person must find their own message. Even if it only gets some children to value their toys then that alone is a good thing. More than that there are plenty of examples to give food for thought to the impressionable mind. It is though the ultimate feel-good, family-growth-thing movie which any self respecting parent loves to see.
It tells the tale of Andy and his array of toys. Whenever Andy leaves his room the toys come to life. Andy’s favourite toy at the start of the film was his Woody, a now somewhat out of date cowboy. The danger is that a more modern toy will replace Woody in Andy’s affections and this happens when Andy gets a Buzz Lightyear toy. Woody is a limp piece of wood and fabric compared to Buzz because Buzz has lots of lights and extras and, most of all, can talk.
Woody becomes very jealous of Buzz and wishes he would go. He finds Buzz annoying because Buzz will not accept that he is just a toy and not an inter-galactic super hero. The adventures then start and involve the toys becoming lost and getting involved with Sid the naughty neighbour of Andy’s family. Sid is sadistic and deliberately mutilates his toys. He eventually has retribution landed upon him as the toys get revenge.
The toys get into further scrapes as Andy’s family move house and almost leave without them. This is a great film, the humour works on many levels and whilst children belly laugh at the antics of the toys, grown-ups can smile wryly at some of the references made. The animation technique is seamlessly brilliant and the facial expressions, movements and action sequences are marvellous.
The voices are done by an array of talented actors with Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz leading the way. They are simply perfect adding even more life to the action. Don Rickles is Mr Potato Head with Cheers’ John Ratzenberger as Hamm the pig. Jim Varney plays Slinky Dog (one of those springy toys) and Annie Potts is Little Bo Peep. Sid is wonderfully voiced by Erik Van Detten.
The film is only 77 minutes long and so not too long for most childrens attention. I have watched it with various children of my own and nieces, nephews, family friends and none have got bored or disinterested in it. It holds them captivated from beginning to end. Toy Story is marvellous childrens entertainment and every home should have a copy… and not just for the kids.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Family - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Bob The Builder, Fireman Sam, Pingu, The Hoobs, Barney The Dinosaur, The Wiggles, Kipper, Angelina Ballerina, Thomas The Tank Engine
Family - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Fireman Sam, Pingu, Bob The Builder, Thomas The Tank Engine, Barney The Dinosaur, Angelina Ballerina
good review, i'll look forward to reading more of your reviews
RobinLawrie 20.06.2001 19:50
You are right, I have watched all the Toy Story series with my grandsons, and have marveled at the special effects as well as the excellent story lines.....Robin. Top Tip, best watched with Pizza, Jelly and chips
There is greatness in film that can be discussed, dissected, and talked about late into ... more
the night. Then there is genius that is right in front of our faces--you smile at the spell it puts you into and are refreshed, and not a word needs to be spoken. T...
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![Toy Story [DVD] [1996]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/80104843.jpg "Toy Story [DVD] [1996]")
very helpful by (100%):
