I have watched this movie at least twenty times. I could watch it twenty more and never get tired of it. As Disney’s first computer animated feature film, Toy Story far surpassed expectations and turned the world of animation on its head. It comes in at #92 on IMDB’s top-rated movies and was nominated for three Oscars. For me, it’s once again my childhood all wrapped in a much-loved VHS. I was ten when this movie came out and we went to see it in theaters. The Easter Bunny brought me it the following year and my brother and I watched it innumerable times since. I seem to watch it at least once a year and it’s one of my go-to movies when I’m having a bad day or not feeling well.
Plot Summary: A cowboy doll is profoundly threatened and jealous when a new spaceman figure supplants him as top toy in a boy’s room. (www.imdb.com)
Fun Facts ( From www.imdb.com):
This was the first animated film in Oscar history to be nominated for a Best Screenplay Academy Award – Adapted or Original.
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”.
What attracted Tom Hanks to the role of Woody was the fact that, during his childhood, he would always wonder if his toys were alive and moved around when nobody was in his room. What attracted Tim Allen to the role of Buzz Lightyear was the fact that, before him, they offered the role to his biggest influence in his career, Chevy Chase, who turned it down.
When the Pizza Planet delivery boy enters the Dinoco gas station, he asks for directions to West Cutting Boulevard. West Cutting Boulevard is the street where Pixar Animation Studios was located in Richmond, California, at the time (Pixar moved its entire operation to Emeryville, California, in 2000).
Favourite Character: Slink or Hamm
Favourite Songs:
“You Got a Friend in Me” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKTU4AarZ7A
Quotable Quotes:
“You’re going to jail, Bart. Say goodbye to the wife and tater tots!”
“Ages 3 and up. It says it right on my box. Ages 3 and up! I’m not supposed to be babysitting Princess Drool!”
“No sign of intelligent life anywhere.”
“The word I’m searching for I can’t say because there are pre-school toys present.”
“That wasn’t flying! That was falling with style!”
“I’m going for fearsome here, but I’m just not feeling it. I think I’m just coming off annoying.”
“That’s MISTER Potato Head to you, ya backstabbing murderer.”
“This is a perfect time to panic!”
“Negative. There are no restraining harnesses in the cargo area. We’re safer in the cockpit.”
“I don’t believe that man has ever been to medical school.”
Buzz: “I’ve set my laser from stun to death. Woody: “Oh great! If anyone attacks us, we can blink ‘em to death.”
“Don’t you get it? Ya see the hat? I AM MRS. NESBITT!”
“Being a toy is a lot better than being a space ranger. … Over in that house is a kid who loves you. Not because you’re a space ranger, but because you’re a toy. You’re his toy!”
“We toys can see everything. So…PLAY NICE!”
“Great! Now I have guilt!”
Final Thoughts:
Sometimes things don’t turn out how we think they will. Sometimes we make mistakes and no one else will let us live them down. But, if you stop and think, come up with a good plan and have friends you can count on, you can get yourself out of any situation – even Sid’s house! And, when things get really bad, just remember this: “You’re my favourite deputy.”
5 Mickeys out of 5:
Next Week’s Movie: Toy Story 2
Every Week Disney 