Toy Story [1996]

Lasseter's story is universal and magical: what do toys do when they're not played with? Cowboy Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Andy's favourite bedroom toy, tries to calm the other toys (some original, some classic) during a wrenching time of year--the birthday party, when newer toys may replace them. Sure enough, Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) is the new toy that takes over the throne. Buzz has a crucial flaw, though--he believes he's the real Buzz Lightyear, not a toy. Bright and cheerful, Toy Story is much more than a 90-minute commercial for the inevitable bonanza of Woody and Buzz toys. Lasseter further scores with perfect voice casting, including Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head and Wallace Shawn as a meek dinosaur. The director-animator won a special Oscar "For the development and inspired application of techniques that have made possible the first feature-length computer-animated film." In other words, the movie is great. --Doug Thomas

Amazon.co.uk Review
Toy Story 1 John Lasseter's Toy Story poses the universal and magical question of what do toys do when they are not being played with? Cowboy Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Andy's favourite bedroom toy, tries to calm the other toys during a wrenching time of year--the birthday party, when newer toys may replace them. Sure enough, Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) is the new toy that takes over the throne. Buzz has a crucial flaw, though--he believes he is the real Buzz Lightyear, not a toy. Bright and cheerful, Toy Story is much more than a 90-minute commercial for the inevitable bonanza of Woody and Buzz toys. Lasseter further scores with perfect voice casting, including Don Rickles as Mr Potato Head and Wallace Shawn as a meek dinosaur. The director-animator won a special Oscar "For the development and inspired application of techniques that have made possible the first feature-length computer-animated film". In other words, the movie is great.

Toy Story 2 Like the handful of other great movie sequels, Toy Story 2 comments on why the first one was so wonderful while finding a fresh angle worthy of a new film. The craze of toy collecting becomes the focus here, as we find out that Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) is not only a beloved toy to Andy but also a rare doll from a popular 1960s children's show. When a greedy collector takes Woody, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) launches a rescue mission with Andy's other toys. To say more would be a crime because this is one of the most creative and smile-inducing films since, well, the first Toy Story.

Although the toys look the same as in the 1994 feature, Pixar shows how much technology has advanced: the human characters look more human, backgrounds are superior, and two action sequences that book-end the film are dazzling. And it's a hoot for kids and adults. The film is packed with spoofs, easily accessible in-jokes and inspired voice casting (with newcomer Joan Cusack especially a delight as Cowgirl Jessie). But as the Pixar canon of films illustrates, the filmmakers are storytellers first. Woody's heart-tugging predicament can easily be translated into the eternal debate of living a good life versus living for forever. Toy Story 2 was deservedly a huge box-office success. --Doug Thomas

A brilliant film that works on a number of different levels - appealing to children and adults without resorting to in-jokes and movie references. There are also complex subtexts addressing Woody coming to terms with not being the favourite and Buzz coming to terms with the fact that he is actually a toy.

The animation is fantastic (it was totally groundbreaking when the film was first released in the cinemas). The vocal talent is used supremely well - I am not sure that Tom Hanks has ever done anything better; Tim Allen certainly hasn't (unless it is Toy Story 2).

This is a five-star film (if not more).


Almost as good as the sequel!   March 15, 2000
Ben Elliss
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Computer animation has come an awfully long way since 'Tron'! 'Toy Story' was the first completely computer-generated feature film, but the filmmakers went the extra mile and thought up a good script and some cool characters to go with it. The film is never show-offy about the technology - it's just like a new form of cartoon, really. Woody and Buzz are great main characters - both are rivals for the heart of Andy, their rarely-seen human owner, and they're voiced so well that they seem to have real personalities. Buzz is initially brash and arrogant, but you end up loving him as much as Woody. Lots of the supporting 'cast' (!) are good too - especially the cute little three-eyed aliens and the scary broken-toy hybrids. This is a film you can watch over and over again, for the details, so it's definitely worth buying it on video.


The Ultimate Way to Collect These Movies   February 11, 2003
Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

Toy Story, released in 1995, enters the world of toys when their owners aren't around. It centers on Woody, a cowboy, who is Andy's favorite toy. But when Andy gets Buzz Lightyear, a space ranger, Woody's place is jeopardized. Woody has to deal with his feelings of jealousy, especially when he and the delusional Buzz become lost toys.

Toy Story 2 followed 4 years later and is the rare sequel that is at least as good as the original, if not better. This time, an evil toy collector has kidnapped Woody, and his head swells when he finds out how valuable he really is. Can Buzz and the other toys find him before he decides he doesn't want to return to Andy?

Toy Story will forever have a place in cinema history as the first completely computer animated movie. But Pixar did a great job making sure it's a movie people will enjoy seeing years from now. The toys are sympathetic characters and the story is wonderful. The site gags and animation make it a treat for adults as well.

Toy Story 2 works as well as it does because it builds on the base of the first movie to tell a second story. Pixar introduced new characters and a fresh story idea while still letting us see and enjoy the characters we loved from the first movie. And the animation has only gotten better over time. Yet the animation is there to tell a story, and the story telling and humor never lag.

The Ultimate Toy Box is a must for collectors or anyone interested in the animation process. Not only are the two movies showcased well on their respective discs, but the extras are phenomenal. I have spent hours going through the third disc soaking up information and trivia. The features commentaries on the first two discs are a fascinating look into what really goes into making these movies. I learned so much from them alone.

The two Toy Story movies will long be remember for being great films. Any film collector owes it to himself or herself to have both in their collection. And if you want to learn the most about these two movies, the people behind them, and what it took to make them, buy the Ultimate Toy Box. You will be entertained and educated for hours.