Toy Story
Position: #99
Directed By: John Lasseter
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen
Empire's Star Rating: 5
This film was my first experience of Pixar, introduced to me at the age of around 7. It's the reason that I religiously follow the studio now and ensure i watch each of their new films. As for Toy Story itself I absolutely loved it. The ground breaking graphics are astonishing for the 90s, in comparison to Disney equivalents from the period such as Snow White, it stands out because of Pixar's ability to render reflection and varying shades rather than use block colour to fill in the characters . It re-invigorates the escape film genre (on a smaller scale). It benefits primarily from 2 strong, charismatic leads in Woody and Buzz; although animated their chemistry spearheads the film and moves the audience. The main focus of the lead roles' development is Woody's acceptance of Buzz as Andy's (their owner) new favourite toy. I think the writers were clever in not portraying Woody as a violent, obnoxious control freak as initially planned. This makes us feel for Woody when his position as alpha male comes under threat; rather than rejoicing at the fall of a bully.
As the story progresses the tension it ratcheted up by Lasseter in heightening the genuine threat that could be posed to these toys in the form of the demented schoolboy: Sid. In entering Sid's room we get this oxymoronic effect by seeming the complete opposite of the joyful room of Andy's just across the street. Another clever ploy by the studio which increases our shock when Sid's room (if we can even call it that) first appears on screen. This death-trap serves as the "prison" of the movie from which our leads attempt to escape. Overall the story flows nicely, although the true baddie of the film has little screen time it doesn't seem to matter because we are constantly reminded of the "grass 'aint always greener on the other side" thesis. At the risk of sounding clichéd; Toy Story tugs at the heart strings without being a typical love story. Instead it encapsulates a cowboy doll, and his love for his owner. On paper it sounds odd, but in practice toy story is sweet, funny and heartfelt. Whoever thought we might shed a tear over a couple of toys eh?
Although this film was near perfect in script and delivery, i think the execution could've been slightly better. I'm a sucker for big action sequences and as a result I felt a little let down by Toy Story's finale. At times the animation is awkward in particular Sid's dog (Scud) looks as if he were made of play-doh in the way he walks. Putting that in perspective it was revolutionary for the time so it's only fair i give it a very good score.
87/100
A little slow at times, but this is a wonderful movie which should be enjoyed by generations to come because it is just so relatable.
As the story progresses the tension it ratcheted up by Lasseter in heightening the genuine threat that could be posed to these toys in the form of the demented schoolboy: Sid. In entering Sid's room we get this oxymoronic effect by seeming the complete opposite of the joyful room of Andy's just across the street. Another clever ploy by the studio which increases our shock when Sid's room (if we can even call it that) first appears on screen. This death-trap serves as the "prison" of the movie from which our leads attempt to escape. Overall the story flows nicely, although the true baddie of the film has little screen time it doesn't seem to matter because we are constantly reminded of the "grass 'aint always greener on the other side" thesis. At the risk of sounding clichéd; Toy Story tugs at the heart strings without being a typical love story. Instead it encapsulates a cowboy doll, and his love for his owner. On paper it sounds odd, but in practice toy story is sweet, funny and heartfelt. Whoever thought we might shed a tear over a couple of toys eh?
Although this film was near perfect in script and delivery, i think the execution could've been slightly better. I'm a sucker for big action sequences and as a result I felt a little let down by Toy Story's finale. At times the animation is awkward in particular Sid's dog (Scud) looks as if he were made of play-doh in the way he walks. Putting that in perspective it was revolutionary for the time so it's only fair i give it a very good score.
87/100
A little slow at times, but this is a wonderful movie which should be enjoyed by generations to come because it is just so relatable.
