Toy Story

Rating:
Summary: Toy Story: A Story of Character Redemption
Review: I honestly don't think Disney set out to create the work of art Toy Story is from the beginning. The animation is wonderful. But I don't think it is the best part of the film. Even the music is outstanding and a perfect match for the film. The actors' voices couldn't have been better selected. But to me, the best part is the story. After seeing it, you feel great, even if you can't put the reason why into words. I think it's because the story touches one of the deepest part of our souls and we don't realize it because it is, after all, a funny animated Disney film. It is a story of redemption - the redemption of the character Woody (not that Buzz is any less important, but I think the story would have lacked its staying power without the redemption of Woody). Woody goes from being in power, trusted, needed, righteous, respected, strong, and confident to downright enraged with jealousy - so much so that he attempts to "hide" the new doll his owner, Andy, prefers. His plan goes awry, and his rival is thrown out the window. His character flaw is now fully exposed. He falls from grace. The film could have ended with an adventurous and finely animated series of scenes leading to the return of both toys to Andy's room, but it would not have given us the satisfaction we needed internally. Woody, in trying to get Buzz back to Andy's room, shows signs of his selfishness along the way (starting with "...Oh, I'm saved, I'm saved!..." when he first finds Buzz and ending with his leaving Buzz to hide under a crate when Sid comes looking for a toy to blow up.) He almost fully redeems himself the moment he convinces Buzz that he is a "cool toy," that Buzz is worthy of Andy's desire for him simply because he is "HIS toy," and that he himself should rightfully be strapped to the rocket that Buzz is strapped to. Even so, Disney cleverly weaves a series of adventures in getting back to Andy that gives first Woody, but ultimately both toys, the opportunity to sacrifice themselves for the other. True redemption and return to grace - right at the chase scene! How clever! On the negative side, I must agree, at least in part, with "A Viewer from WV" about the graphic violence on the dolls being inappropriate for toddlers. My three year old was particularly frightened of the "baby spider." And the flip side of being frightened of it is being intrigued by it (my son also bangs on the door with his fist yelling "Hey!" much the way Sid does to the machine he from which he gets Buzz and Woody at Pizza Palace). I worry that he'll someday come to idolize the Sid character. I don't need or want either emotion in my home in reaction to a children's film. (Related scenes that were deleted from the film are on the DVD version - whoever made the decision to delete them did his job well.) In all, however, I feel compelled to give it five stars as we know that even the most lasting of fairy tales contain frightening characters and violent scenes; this is supposed to have real life purpose for children (although I have yet to figure out exactly what it is). I believe the story's lesson of character redemption outweighs the violence, and I hope that my son will recognize it and idolize Woody for it someday instead. We all want to know that no matter how bad our own character flaws and bleak the situation, there is room to be a celebratory "found sheep."

Rating:
Summary: Great for Mom and Dad, not so hot for tots
Review: I thought this movie was wonderful - for me and my husband. My 3 year old was scared. I think that the mean boy who lives next door and performs surgery and pyrotechnics on his toys was totally inappropriate for toddlers. These toys walk and talk and have feelings, and the movie actually shows this boy blowing them up or sawing off their heads. My daughter found the fishing pole with barbie legs very disturbing as well. I don't think I will let my daughters watch this again until they are much older.

Rating:
Summary: Have you ever had a favorite toy?
Review: Disney and Pixar's "Toy Story" was the first full-length computer animated feature ever, and now it is the first "Walt Disney Gold Collection" video released as of January 11th, 2000. The "Walt Disney Gold Collection" is a group of films that inspire wonder and imagination for a life time, and "Toy Story" fits that description perfectly!

Have you ever had a favorite toy? Well Andy did. His was Woody, a cowboy doll. But when Andy gets a Buzz Lightyear space man for his birthday, Woody feels cast aside. Woody's jealousey leads him and Buzz lost far away from home. Now they must work together to get home before Andy moves to a new house.

The great thing about the "Walt Disney Gold Collection" is that they include special features weather they are on video or DVD. "Toy Story" has the 1988 Academy Award®-Winning Animated Short "Tin Toy", "You've Got A Friend In Me" music video as featured on the hit "Toy Story" soundtrack, and a behind the scenes look at the making of "Toy Story." So if you bought the video when it first came out, you may consider buying it again.

Rating:
Summary: Toy Story (Spanish Version)
Review: I bought this video for my grandson who is 2-1/2 years old and was born in Spain. He doesn't speak Spanish, but I want him to learn with me. He knows the English Version by heart. So he understands the Spanish Version. I was very impressed that this Spanish dubbing was so well done, including the songs. We have watched the movie a couple of times already and have thoroughly enjoyed this version. I would highly recommend this version to anyone who speaks Spanish or wants to learn.

Rating:
Summary: Pixar strikes again!!
Review: Man! 2 out of 2 ain't bad. Toy Story was a great movie...and Toy Story 2 is just as good. Rare. Glad to see someone didn't buy into the notion that sequels have to be second rate to the first movie.

Rating:
Summary: Sets a new standard!!
Review: I must have watched Toy Story 50 times in the past month with my 3 year old son. I think that I love this movie as much as he does!!

A great story, it's nice to see an animated movie that DOESN'T focus on violence, rudeness, and bad language like so much that is out today!! Toy Story is simply about friendship and acceptance. (Although Buzz and Woody do get into a fight at the gas station!) The voices of Tim Allen and Tom Hanks are a great addition to this incredible movie.

Lastly, the annimation of Toy Story sets a new standard! Absolutely incredible detail, facial expressions, shadowing, and overall movement of the characters. Great computer annimation!! You will never see another annimated show the same way after being "spoiled" by Toy Story. This movie will appeal to anyone- great family entertainment!!

Rating:
Summary: EVERYONE likes this movie
Review: When Toy Story came out, I was skeptical. I didn't think it could be as good as the hype. I refused to take my children to the theater to see it. I refused to buy or rent the video. Then someone loaned us their copy.

And I bought both Toy Story and Toy Story 2 shortly thereafter.

The animation is great. It doesn't LOOK like computer-generated images: it's very believable. Those toys in my kid's toy box really COULD talk and play when we're not around.

We love Buzz Lightyear's motto: "To Infinity and Beyond!" We say it to each other when we're off to do something fun or something difficult. It's motivating.

I hope the animators at Pixar decide to do another Toy Story!

Rating:
Summary: A Great Movie The Whole Family Is Sure To Love!
Review: This is a wonderful movie about friendship! Woody is a cowboy doll who has been Andy's favorite toy sinch he was a baby. But now Andy has a space ranger toy, Buzz Lightyear, and Woody feels left out. But when Woody and Buzz end up in the real world alone, they have to work together to survive and get back to Andy's house before he moves. But the evil Sid who torchers toys for fun has captured them. Now they have to escape from Sid and get back to Andy before it's to late. You'll love it! Buy it today!

Rating:
Summary: Extremely Enjoyable!!!
Review: This is a humourous story of a bunch of toys. They weren't anybody's toys but Andy's toys. How these toys loved being Andy's toys. Whenever there were occasions where Andy would certainly receive presents, these toys would send out representatives (the green toy soldiers-whom the other toys regarded as "professinals" for missions of such) with a toy walkie talkie (a wee bit too huge for these mini soldiers), to find out what kind of toys Andy receive. On Andy's birthday party, a toy spaceman (Buzz) was given to Andy. Since the arrival of Buzz, Woody's (a toy cowboy)position as Andy's favorite toy was threatened.

One day, Woody planned to get rid of Buzz. He managed to send Buzz flying out of Andy's bedroom window. When Andy couldn't find Buzz to accompany him in the car-trip, so he picked up Woody instead. In the bushes near the car where Buzz had fallen into frm Andy's window, Buzz spied Woody being taken into the car by Andy. He followed. The two toys ended up fighting at the bottom of the car when the family stopped at a petrol station. They were so emgrossed in squabbling that they did not realised that the car was getting to leave until it was too late.

There began their adventure of finding their way back home to Andy. They two rivals had to work together and plan a safe journey back.

This is truly a masterpiece! I haven't enjoyed watching a cartoon soooooooo... much in a long time. The animation is really beautiful! And all those lovable toys... and the cute three-eyed aliens!

Anyone will certainly enjoy this show!!!

Rating:
Summary: An Instant Disney Classic
Review: Toy Story is an amazing film that captured the heart of America in 1998. This film covers all the bases with humor, action and drama. The computer animation is incredible as we see toys from our childhood come to life and seem real. This film is a must for all Disney fans.