| Plot Synopsis |
by Hal Erickson |
Toy Story was the first feature-length film animated entirely by computer. If this seems to be a sterile, mechanical means of moviemaking, be assured that the film is as chock-full of heart and warmth as any Disney cartoon feature. The star of the proceedings is Woody, a pull-string cowboy toy belonging to a wide-eyed youngster named Andy. Whenever Andy's out of the room, Woody revels in his status as the boy's number one toy. His supremacy is challenged by a high-tech, space-ranger action figure named Buzz Lightyear, who, unlike Woody and his pals, believes that he is real and not merely a plaything. The rivalry between Woody and Buzz hilariously intensifies during the first half of the film, but when the well-being of Andy's toys is threatened by a nasty next-door neighbor kid named Sid -- whose idea of fun is feeding stuffed dolls to his snarling dog and reconstructing his own toys into hideous mutants -- Woody and Buzz join forces to save the day. Superb though the computer animation may be, what really heightens Toy Story are the voice-over performances by such celebrities as Tom Hanks (as Woody), Tim Allen (as Buzz), and Don Rickles (as an appropriately acerbic Mr. Potato Head). Director John Lasseter earned a special achievement Academy Award, while Randy Newman landed an Oscar nomination for his evocative musical score. |
| Similar Works |
|
Robots
(2005, Chris Wedge, Carlos Saldanha)
|
|
Small Soldiers
(1998, Joe Dante)
|
|
Chicken Run
(2000, Nick Park, Peter Lord)
|
|
Twice Upon a Time
(1983, John Korty, Charles Swenson, Jennifer Gallagher)
|
|
Quincy's Quest
(1979, Robert Reed)
|
|
The Indian in the Cupboard
(1995, Frank Oz)
|
|
James and the Giant Peach
(1996, Henry Selick)
|
|
Jumanji
(1995, Joe Johnston)
|
|
Parade of the Wooden Soldiers
(1933, Dave Fleischer)
|
|
A Grand Day Out
(1992, Nick Park)
|
|
|