Plot: A cowboy doll is profoundly threatened and jealous when a new spaceman action figure supplants him as top toy in a boy’s bedroom.
Runtime: 1 Hour 21 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Toy Story starts when Woody and the other toys prepare for Andy’s latest birthday. They worry they may get replaced every year and the new toy Buzz Lightyear arrives replacing Woody. Buzz becomes Andy’s favourite toy and helps the other toys with their daily problems, causing Woody to get jealous.
When Woody’s jealousy takes over, he is forced to work with Buzz to return him to Andy. However, the other toys have lost faith in him because of his actions.
Verdict on Toy Story
Recap
The movie follows a cowboy toy who becomes jealous of a new space toy. He tries to get rid of the toy but only ends up needing to go on a rescue mission to prove his place among the other toys.
Best Parts
This is considered one of the classic movies of the era, one that put Pixar on the map. It ushered in a new style of animation which still looks brilliant today. The characters are various toys people could have had or have in their childhood. Mixed with the idea they have their own little lives when you are not around. The themes of jealousy and accepting change are important and come through perfectly here. We get a movie which will make you laugh and relate to the story unfolding.
Final Thoughts – Toy Story is one of the best movies of all time.
Writer: Michael Arndt (Screenplay) John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich (Story)
Starring: (Voice Work) Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, New Beatty, Don Rickles, Michael Keaton, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger
Plot: The toys are mistakenly delivered to a day-care center instead of the attic right before Andy leaves for college, and it’s up to Woody to convince the other toys that they weren’t abandoned and to return home.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Brilliant third instalment
Story: Toy Story 3 starts by the toys trying to get the attention of a now 17 year old Andy, resigned to being put in the attic the toys prepare for their move. After mistakenly being put out for trash the toys decide to go to Sunnyside day care centre but Woody knows the truth and tries to stop them. The group end up feeling welcome to the new day care centre but it turns out not everything is as it seems. The leader of the group Lotso wants the new toys to be played with the younger children who mistreat them and after Buzz is reset the rest have to try and escape, while Woody plans a rescue mission.
It took time get this third part to the story and boy were we treated to something special. We get a very real effect too, we get to see how a child has grown up and now will be moving on with his life leaving things behind. Another big part is see how the dog has gone from puppy to very old which shows us the time between the films. This is a very real look at things that will happen to all of us in life, we will have all grown up and changed things in our lives. Even though this feels like a fitting third for the fans of the series it will still appeal to the children just getting into the film. Overall we get a great story that is an improvement again. (10/10)
Character Review
Woody: After witnessing where the toys are being put he has to talk them all into returning to Andy’s against everyone he just wants to stay loyal to Andy. When Woody gets taken home by nice sweet little girl he learns that Sunnyside isn’t what it seems and goes back to rescue his friends. Woody is a great character and this time he goes on to show loyalty to his friends. (10/10)
Buzz Lightyear: Our space ranger who steps up to lead the group after Woody leaves, but after he gets reset he keeps everyone captive for the evil Lotso. Buzz also gets the extra laughs over Woody and his Spanish mode makes you laugh the whole time. (10/10)
Lotso: After coming off as nice welcoming leader of Sunnyside he shows a much darker side when it comes to the new toys but it all stems back to his origin story. He keeps our heroes captive until they have served enough time and most likely get damaged. Lotso makes a great villain in what looks like an innocent world. (10/10)
Ken: Scene stealer who falls for Barbie who also shows everyone around but his love for Barbie conflicts which side he wants to help. Ken would be the most recognizable addition to the series and has a laugh every time he is on screen. (10/10)
Support Characters: With the largest selection of supporting characters in the series they all offer something unique to the story that will give extra laughs throughout.
Director Review: Lee Unkrich – Brilliant directing to create the most emotional addition to the Toy Story series. (10/10)
Animation: Toy Story 3 is a Pixar film showing how they have grown to the top level of animation this is one of the best you will see. (10/10)
Comedy: Toy Story 3 Has plenty of laughs but could have a higher level of comedy if it wanted to. (8/10)
Family: Toy Story 3 is perfect for the whole family to enjoy. (10/10)
Settings: Showing different location that toys could naturally end up in with the day care centre. (10/10)
Suggestion: Just out the DVD/Blu-Ray in and enjoy Toy Story 3. (Watch)
Best Part: Spanish Buzz
Worst Part: Nothing.
Action Scene Of The Film: Landfill scene.
Funniest Scene: Spanish Buzz
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: By the end you might with the final scene (7/10)
Chances of Sequel: There are plans for one.
Post Credits Scene: We what happens to Sunnyside after Lotso under Ken and how our heroes settle with their new owner.
Oscar Chances: Won 2 Oscars, including Best Animated Feature, and Best achievement in music.
We have been looking at our own individual favourite Character from the Film above, we would like to hear from you about which is your favourite Character. Following on from the previous top 5 favourite Toy Story characters I am asking the question to the fellow contributor about who their favourite Toy Story characters excluding Woody and Buzz.
Writer: Andrew Stanton, Rita Hsiao, Doug Chamberlin, Chris Webb (Screenplay) John Lasseter, Pete Doctor, Ash Brannon, Andrew Stanton (Story)
Starring: (Voice Talents) Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, Wayne Knight
Plot: When Woody is stolen by a toy collector, Buzz and his friends vow to rescue him, but Woody finds the idea of immortality in a museum tempting.
Verdict: Keeps Getting Better
Story: We start be seeing how united the toys are now and Woody is getting all excited about being able to go to cowboy camp with Andy. After Woody gets damaged Andy doesn’t take him to camp leaving Woody to look after the toys during a yard sale. While Woody tries to rescue a toy he ends up getting toynapped by a man who wants to complete his collection. The toys lead by Buzz come up with a plan to try and rescue Woody, while Woody learns about his history as an iconic television cowboy from ‘The Round Up Gang’.
How do you improve on what was almost perfect, well you start the same you follow similar ideas created in the first. We have the same idea that stepping outside is dangerous, but that it is worth it to save a friend. The idea that the toys don’t know that they could be part of a bigger collection (which most are) is very important to this and shows through really well. As I will be looking at the third one tomorrow there is some foreshadowing here that we see in the third showing brilliant story telling. This is my least favourite of the three but it also can’t be faulted. (10/10)
Character Review
Woody: After getting toynapped Woody learns his history and how he was part of a whole television show. He learns that he is part of a collection and without him the collections worthless, Woody is left with the question of returning to his friends or staying with his new collection in a museum. Learning more about Woody works for everything here giving him a chance to show the leader could give up everything for something bigger. (10/10)
Buzz Lightyear: Buzz leads the group of toys on an adventure to find Woody, they have to race to Al’s toy barn and he shows his leadership skills as well as coming up against an old enemy. This is a great look at Buzz especially when he meets another Buzz and he realizes what he must have been like. (10/10)
Jessie: Cowgirl who was the star of the show with Woody, she wants to be out of storage but has to convince Woody to stay with the group. She has one of the most devastatingly sad backstories, because of her owner but still keeps her enthusiastic nature. Add the excitement level need being way too happy. (10/10)
Stinky Pete: Wise old man who is part of the collection that has never been out the package. He turns into the villain of the piece by making Woody stay after he figures out he should go back to Andy. Showing the jealous that can build up in someone really well to show that everyone could get jealous. (9/10)
Support Characters: The support characters are all perfectly placed into scenes none more so than Hamm joking about getting a hot dog with extra ham, chips and Rex as the toy.
Director Review: John Lasseter, Ash Brannon, Lee Unkrich – Great direction from the three to bring us another great chapter to the animated series. (10/10)
Animation: Brilliant animation that has yet to look dated even after 15, yes 15 years. (10/10)
Comedy: Great laughs throughout, with some brilliantly placed references. (9/10)
Family: This one would be for all the family, it isn’t as dark as the first one which means it will be more suitable for everyone. (10/10)
Chemistry: The chemistry between all the characters comes off perfectly. (10/10)
Music: Another master class on music and song selection from Randy Newman. (10/10)
Settings: Placing our heroes into a toy store makes for extra laughs and more characters, but the road crossing works great too. (10/10)
Suggestion: You just got to watch this one. (Watch)
Best Part: Road Crossing.
Worst Part: Nope
Funniest Scene: Road Crossing
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: You might get a few from Jessie back story (3/10)
Chances of Sequel: Has one more made sequel.
Closing Credits Rating: Joke outtakes make for extra laughs through the credits. (9/10)
Oscar Chances: Nominated for One Oscar
Box Office: $482 Million
Budget: $90 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 32 Minutes
Tagline: The toys are back in town.
Trivia: According to rottentomatoes in 2007, this is the best reviewed movie of all time.
Overall: My least favourite but still an improvement on the first
Writer: Joss Whedon, Andrew Stanton, Joel Cohen, Alec Sokolow (Screenplay) John Lasseter, Pete Doctor, Andrew Stanton, Joe Ranft (Story)
Starring: (Voice Talents) Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts
Plot: A cowboy doll is profoundly threatened and jealous when a new spaceman figure supplants him as top toy in a boy’s room.
Verdict: They Got A Friend In Us
Story: We start by following our toys being played with like any child would. Things are going to change for one of our heroes Woody as he has all the toys scouting any potential replacements for them at Andy’s birthday party. Everything seems to be going well until Andy receives a Buzz Lightyear toy. Woody’s world is turned upside down because he is no longer the popular toy. As the jealous continues to grow Woody causes an accident leading to Buzz falling out the window. Woody must find Buzz and bring him back to show his friends he didn’t deliberately push him. The two have to go on an adventure through an arcade and past the psychotic neighbour.
It is hard to not over analysis this one, it has so many things going on without you really noticing them. We have the basic of jealously which people will get when they end up meeting new people, which leads to the fear of being replaced. This is easy to see, but I always like to look at how two different children have been raised to treat their possession properly. We have Andy who looks after everything he has and has a loving mother. With Sid we get a destructive child who is basically a serial killer in the making whose parents have let him get away with anything and also let him raise a dog to be a danger to the people. Saying this we all end up with one of the best animated stories everyone knows and loves. (10/10)
Character Review
Woody: Our lead toy, a cowboy that is loved by Andy, he keeps all the toys united and arranges everything to keep them all safe. When Buzz turns up he gets jealous as he starts to be pushed aside for the new space based toy. Woody is a great character that will grow on everyone but let Buzz get the extra laughs. (10/10)
Buzz Lightyear: Spaceman sent to save humans, well that is what he thinks. He doesn’t know he is a toy and once he does he goes for a personal crisis. Buzz is easily the most iconic of all the characters in this film and will always been remember from Infinity and Beyond. (10/10)
Support Characters: All the supporting characters are brilliant, they all add extra laughs and if you watch carefully you will get some very good references.
Director Review: John Lasseter – Brilliant directing showing John knows how to make a top animated film. (10/10)
Comedy: Top comedy that will have plenty of clever reference and well played out jokes. (9/10)
Family: Even though this has a few dark moments it still works for the family to enjoy. (9/10)
Chemistry: Woody and Buzz have great chemistry even though they start out with their differences. (9/10)
Music: Great use of music and some of the best songs from Disney. (10/10)
Settings: Stunningly created settings to make everything look like a real home the toys are in. (10/10)
Suggestion: Simply put if you haven’t seen it, why haven’t you? (Watch)
Best Part: The great escape
Worst Part: Entering Sid’s home creates a horror moment most horror films would die for.
Lessons Learned: Treat your toys well, because they are real.
Action Scene Of The Film: Final Chase
Funniest Scene: The Claw
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: Has two made sequels and had the fourth announced late 2014.
Post Credits Scene: No even though we are expected to see one from Pixar films.
Oscar Chances: Nominated for 3 Oscars
Box Office: $362 Million
Budget: $30 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 21 Minutes
Tagline: Hand on for the comedy that does to infinity and beyond.
Trivia: Billy Crystal was originally offered the chance to voice Buzz Lightyear, but declined. After seeing the finished film, he said the decision was the biggest mistake of his career. Upon learning this, John Lasseter telephoned Billy’s house to offer him the role of Mike Wazowski in Monsters, Inc. (2001). Billy’s wife answered the telephone and said “John Lasseter wants to speak to you.” Billy took the telephone from his wife and said “Yes”.
