TOY STORY
US, 1995, 81 minutes, Colour.
Voices of: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, John Morris, Erik von Detten, Laurie Metcalf, R. Lee Ermy, Penn Jillette.
Directed by John Lasseter.
Many were initially apprehensive about a completely computer-generated animation feature about toys coming alive. But the animation is skilful and the story-line is geared to appeal to children - parents will not be sorry that they have seen it. The toys are full of life (when humans are not looking) and have engaging personalities. Tom Hanks is very good providing the voice of Woody, the cowboy, whose place as favourite is being threatened by a spaceman toy who cannot believe he is only a toy (a very entertaining voice from Tim Allen).
This was the first of the Pixar animation films, directed by founder, John Lassiter, which led the way to a string of great successes both critically and at the box office and a number of Oscars for Best Animation feature: A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2 and 3, Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo, The Invincibles, Cars, Ratatouille, Wall E and Up.
1.The popularity of Toy Story, with audiences, critical acclaim, the beginning of Pixar’s successful films?
2.The computer graphic animation, the characters, settings, home and rooms, action? The score? The songs – especially about friendship?
3.The strength of the voices, the humour, characterisations, drama?
4.The appeal to younger audiences, a children’s story, toys, birthday parties, outings?
5.Andy’s house and Andy himself, not appearing so much, the human dimension? Playing with the toys, ignoring them, the birthday party and the gifts, losing the toys and his concern, moving house? Finding Woody and Buzz?
6.Toys, devotion to toys, the role of a toy? Woody and his explanations to Buzz Lightyear?
7.The toys coming alive, the human parallels, the sheriff and his words, Buzz Lightyear and the explorations of space, the meetings of the toys, Woody presiding, their concern about Andy, the new toys and envy, the crowd mentality and ganging up against Woody, the clashes, the comic adventures? The serious adventures, Woody and Buzz in the house with Sid? The vicious dog? The rescue attempts? The cracker and the rocket? The car chase, rocketing into the air? The sense of menace? The success of the mission?
8.The moral: be a toy, be oneself, friendship not envy?
9.Woody as the sheriff, the leader, Andy’s favourite, his limits? Chairing the meetings? Concern about the house move? Concern about Buzz and his arrival? His tantrums against Buzz, the meanness, the talk, bringing Buzz down to size, explaining he was a toy? Pushing him out the window? Buzz’s beliefs? The fear of Sid, his vicious toys? Buzz, the fall, the rescue, the growing friendship, the chase? The toys ganging up against Woody? The final forgiveness?
10.Buzz Lightyear, the space explorer, his jargon, beliefs that he was real, demonstrating his skills, the attempt at flying, defying Woody, the toys following him because he was popular? Woody’s antagonism, falling out the window? Taken up by Sid? The truth and his listening to the television, knowing that he was a toy? Sid and his wanting to use the rocket? Buzz and his disillusionment, drinking the tea – and intoxicated? The chase, Woody and the rescue, his getting Woody out of the cage? Finally flying?
11.Mr Potato Head, the humour, sardonic? Slinky Dog and his stretching, his faith in Woody? Mr Hamm? Bo Peep and her devotion to Woody? Rex the dinosaur – and his continued emotional states, sense of guilt?
12.The soldiers, their mission, R. Lee Ermy and his screen roles, Full Metal Jacket? The soldiers being trodden on?
13.The humour for adults, the enjoyable parody? The delight of the story and the characters for children?
