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1995 was a seminal year for Disney for it was the year that the immortal Toy Story was released. Following in the groove that "Tron" had so neatly eked out, Toy Story went where no movie had gone before. It was the first completely computer generated animation feature film with spectacular results!
Now part of Disney folklore, Toy Story was a co-production of Disney and Pixar studios and released with an element of trepidation. Tron had not been the hit anticipated and the creators worried that Toy Story might fail in a similar fashion. They needn't have worried.
TS is all about the premise of what would happen if a child's toys really did come to life when nobody was around. Initially set in Andy's bedroom (Andy is a typical, middle class, All-American kid) the opening scene is of Andy playing joyfully with his toys. Cut to Andy being called away by his mom and the toys get together for a meeting chaired by Woody the cowboy. Oh, hang on, I'd better introduce you to the cast:
Woody the cowboy voiced by Tom Hanks *Buzz Lightyear ~ Tim Allen Hamm the pig ~ John Ratzenberger Mr Potato Head ~ Don Rickles Slinky Dog ~ Jim Varney Rex the dinosaur ~ Wallace Shawn Bo Peep ~ Annie Potts
Woody is one of the two main characters in the film and is a beat
up, old cowboy doll that's been the favourite toy for some time. The toys get together and Woody slips in the news that the moving house date has been brought forward to tomorrow. The problem is that each toy has to have a "moving buddy" in place ready for the move. The toys are upset at this and the pace quickens when the plastic toy soldiers report that the guests have arrived for Andy's birthday party and the presents are being opened. The toy community generally feels apprehensive at the thought of new toys arriving although, for some, it's seen as an opportunity. For example, Mr Potato Head craves the arrival of a Mrs Potato Head (for reasons of conjugality?)
Perhaps, by now, you're getting a feel for where the film's going. Needless to say, a toy does arrive that threatens the equilibrium of the group. Buzz Lightyear is a Space Ranger, a member of the elite Universe Protection Unit, sworn to defend the galaxy against the Evil Emperor Zurg. He's equipped with a laser, retractable jet wings, and a microchip processor. He thinks he is on a real mission to save the universe from the evil Emperor Zurg and is introduced to the story when Andy leaves him lying on his bed. Following an hilarious exchange during which Buzz is convinced that he's on an alien planet, it soon becomes apparent that Woody feels threatened by Buzz and resents his presence.
This film works because it operates on at least 2 levels. Firstly, kids just love it. Toys coming to life; exciting sets like Pizza Planet and Andy's bedroom and the introduction of the horrible Sid the toy killer from next door all percolate into a heady mix of action and adventure. The second level is more adult with a witty, stylish John Lassetter inspired script that parents and even those without kids can laugh out loud to.
The pivotal moment in the film is where Woody accidentally sets in motion a sequence of events that leads to Buzz falling out of the bedroom window. The toys see this as deliberate and Woody sets out to go and find Buzz to recover the situation and his reputation.
The tension in the film comes from Sid's role as a toy's worst nightmare. He routinely dismembers toys and enjoys fusing strange combinations together in a teeny version of Frankenstein. Via a circuitous route, Buzz ends up in the clutches of the evil Sid and it's left to our hero to ultimately rescue him and catch up with the family before they drive off into the sunset forever.
There are just so many wonderful scenes in Toy Story that it's hard to capture them all in a review like this. One of the best is where Woody and Buzz end up in a grabber arcade game inside pizza planet (you know, there's hundreds of 'em all along the sea front in amusements when you go on holiday). Amazingly, the filmmakers manage to create a microcosm of a community together with its own belief system. The little green men are the prizes but believe that when one of them is won they go to a better place. The grabber is referred to as "The Claw" and chooses who will become the chosen one. It's a parallel of religion where "The Claw" represents God and being chosen and taken away represents going to heaven.
One of my personal favourites is where Buzz is in Sid's house but has been commandeered by Sid's sister. He's forced to endure a doll's party and gets intoxicated on an over-generous supply of tea. I laughed out loud as Woody tried to drag Buzz away at an opportune moment only for Buzz to complain in a slur "..but I'm Miss - us N - e - s - bitt!".
There are some touching moments too like when Buzz discovers that he is just a toy after all when he catches an advert for a Buzz Lightyear sponsored by Al's Toy Barn on the TV. His realisation is handled with subtlety and is typical of the thought that went into the overall production.
The musical score is outstanding with a great musical set by Randy Newman. He belts out, among others, "You've got a friend in me" and "Strange things are happening" which compliment the film superbly.
If for some strange reason you are one of the few that have yet to see this movie then the video and DVD are easy to come by.
The Toy Story DVD can also be purchased through Disney.com and has bonus footage including 1988 Academy Award -winning animated short "Tin Toy" "You've Got a Friend in Me" music video as featured on the hit "Toy Story" soundtrack and Behind-the-scenes making of "Toy Story".
Amazon are selling the DVD on it's own (as opposed to packaged with Toy Story 2 etc) at £18.99.The double DVD has the following: Academy award-nominated short "Luxo Jr", outtakes and a sneak preview of Monsters.Inc. Technical spec:
Choice of viewing presentation: Widescreen (1.77:1) enhanced for 16x9 televisions Full-frame (1.33:1) Dolby Digital Surround EX THX-certified includes THX Optimode.
You can't help but love this film.
As ever, thanks for reading.
Marandina
*Buzz Lightyear started life as "Lunar Larry" but the original name wasn't felt to be grandiose enough and later changed to it's present incarnation.
An Academy Award for Special Achievement was presented to the makers of Toy Story in 1995.
Production Year: 1979 - Family - Original Language: English - Classification: Exempt - Starring: Jon Pertwee, Geoffrey Bayldon, Una Stubbs, Mike Berry, Charlotte Coleman, Jeremy Austin, Megs Jenkins, Norman Bird
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