Modern cinema changed after this film. This is a hugely important step on my quest to watch and comment on all the films in the AFI Top 100 (10th Anniversary Edition).
I don't think, when this is all said and done, that this might, just might, be one of the most important films of all time. I think its ranking is FAR too low, but understand conservative voters (with only 12 years of history) wouldn't see it that way.
Film 81
81. "Toy Story" (AFI Rank #99)
I was 14 years old when the first "computer animated" film arrived from a major studio - Disney Studios made the film "TRON," with several brief computer animated sequences. Then came "Young Sherlock Holmes," in which a computer animated piece of stained glass turned into a soldier, and fought a duel with Young Sherlock. Then, in 1993, Steven Spielberg released a film with realistic looking DINOSAURS, rendered on computer, that didn't move like stop-motion animation, and didn't feel "fake." That, of course, was "Jurassic Park." Then, in 1995, a little movie studio named Pixar, which had dabbled in fully rendered computer animation in the form of shorts, released this film. Taking an idea, and drawing, lighting...well...EVERYTHING on the computer for the first full length film of its kind. Since that time, Pixar was bought up by Disney, Computer Generated Imagery appears in nearly EVERY film, other major studios have been created, and last year, 8 MAJOR films were released using this technology. Computer animated films have been consistent money earners, because, partly, we parents love to take our kids to them. And that is the point of THIS film. Why do we parents so consistently fork over our dollars for "Kids" movies?
Because they may be targeted for children, somewhat, but they are hardly "Kids" movies. This film led the way in that, and I just loved watching it for the umpteenth time. Yeah. I got kids. I've seen this movie probably a couple of dozen times. It's been a while, though, as the kids have moved on to Marvel movies, or the latest releases, but this film is still tremendous fun to watch.
Created by John Lasseter (directed seems...weird...when discussing this), "Toy Story" starts with a simple question: what if our toys were really...ALIVE? It then asks more questions. How would they interact? How would they know not to let the humans catch on? What do they think about being abused? What do they think about being played with? These were the questions upon which the creators based this film, and we get answers. Lots and lots of them.
I'm not going to pretend that this film solves any great world crisis. It's the story of a bunch of toys. What this film does, however, is present us with a bunch of really great characters, and puts them into situations that lead to a really terrific resolution. We meet Sheriff Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), an old rag doll with a pull-string voice box. He has been Andy's favorite toy for a while, earning him the position as the leader of all the toys, and the honored spot of sleeping with Andy in his bed. The film opens as Woody finds out that Andy's birthday party has been moved up a week, because the family is moving, and things need to be wrapped up. What follows is a tremendous scene in which Andy's toys scramble and deal with their fears of being replaced by new toys that Andy will be receiving for his birthday. We get a sense of what it must be like to always be worried about being replaced by the newest, coolest thing...or worse...having the kid outgrow you, and winding up in a yard sale. Voiced by veteran actors John Ratzenberger (Hamm, the piggy bank), Wallace Shawn (Rex, the dinosaur); Don Rickles (Mr. Potato Head), R. Lee Ermey (playing a little green army man...), Annie Potts (Little Bo Peep), and...I mentioned in a recent post that one of the joys of getting to do this quest is that it involved no Jim Varney films. Except here he is, playing Slinky Dog. Yup, Ernest made it into one of the Top 100 films of all time. Good on him.
Despite all the other toys' worries, the safest of the bunch, the favorite - Woody, is the one most threatened by the greatest toy EVER being given to Andy. Woody's new threat is the shiny new space action figure... Buzz Lightyear, played by Tim Allen. Complete with glow-in-the-dark plastic, a laser, pop-out wings, a voice box controlled by BUTTONS, a helmet that springs open, fully moving arms and legs, and a karate-chop action arm, Buzz is about the coolest toy you've ever seen. Of course Andy bumps Woody aside and focuses all his energy and playtime on his new friend. Woody is shattered, and seething with jealousy. Of course, it doesn't help that Buzz doesn't even realize HE'S A TOY. And that is what sets up the rest of the film. Throw in a sadistic kid next door with a propensity towards destruction, and Buzz and Woody winding up in his clutches through a series of mishaps, and you've got yourself one tidy little story.
That, ultimately, is the triumph of "Toy Story" and Pixar. Besides booking A-List talent for the voice work, Pixar helped vault animation into the forefront of filmmaking because of its incredible storytelling. This was the first film in a series of GREAT films released by this studio, and they didn't really hit a stinker until "Cars 2." Yes, these films are beloved by children, but there's plenty for adults. In fact, I'd say that all of their films are targeted at adults, but kids can enjoy them. Yes. I said that. "Toy Story" speaks of children growing up, moving on. It speaks of nostalgia. It speaks of rivalries, perceived or otherwise. It speaks of change, and our inability to handle it. It speaks to LOTS of things that we grown-ups deal with every day. It's a tremendous, tremendous film.
I cannot deny that it is rough, and that the animation seems really primitive, compared to what we know now. Humans are frightening looking. The subtle texture/lighting that has been achieved since is not always there. The technology wasn't available. However, notice the woodwork in Andy's room. It's all beat up, and has been covered with paint. It looks like a home that's been up for sale. It looks like a home that has been lived in. It looks...well...it looks real. It's a set that was constructed out of whole cloth. They didn't go into a real house and film it, they CREATED one. And the one that they created would likely contain more detail now, 21 years later, with much more technology available, but it's...the attention to detail is there. That, as I've said throughout this series, is what great filmmaking is. Beyond that, there are plenty of little subtle things that detail oriented people can catch. "Binford." "Whack an Alien." "A113." "Luxo." "Dinoco." There's the Pizza Planet truck, which somehow makes its way into every Pixar film (including "Brave"). There is also the brilliant use of Tim Allen and Tom Hanks. Both are absolutely perfect for the roles they play, and while the actors never interacted in voice recording, it sure felt that way. Allen has made a huge living off of playing the befuddled macho stereotype, while Hanks is America's Everyman since Jimmy Stewart is dead.
"Toy Story" is a tremendous achievement in film, and deserves better than a ranking of 99 in the "Top 100 US Films of all time," period. It's that important, but more than that, it's that good. It really is. It bothers me to no end that the obvious "historical perspective" films on this list ("Intolerance," "Bonnie and Clyde," "Swing Time," "Bringing Up Baby," TWO Marx brothers films when one might have been enough) get put higher on the list than this does. This is a better film than #99, and its historic importance vaults it higher than that regardless of its story/acting/directing quality. It happens to merit both. Bah.
If you're a "grown-up" and don't have kids, and haven't seen this film...why? Why not? What's it going to cost you? I watched it without kids this time. It's great. Truly great. While you're at it, watch some of the other animated films this film's success was able to spawn. You deserve it.
Ebert's original review is here. Right on, Roger.
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