“This isn't flying, this is falling with style!”

Filmology Rating: 3.75 out of 4

So, this was Pixar's feature film debut in 1995. At this time, Pixar was an independent animation company held afloat by Steve Jobs. Pixar was founded by George Lucas and was a branch of animation at Lucasfilm. After the embarrassment that was 'Howard the Duck', George let the studio go, allowing Steve Jobs to be the controlling interest in the company. Pixar released a short film shortly after. Disney was so impressed that they approached Pixar about the possibility of doing an animated feature that would be fully computer rendered. The vague idea was to make a film about toys. An outline was created, but Disney rejected it because it was too soft and requested more of an edgier script. Joss Whedon was brought on to punch up the script and John Lasseter to direct.

Animation, in the past, was a multitude of things. It was hand-drawn, it was combined with live-action people like in 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit', but never was a film completely created on a computer. Upon the film's release, it revolutionized animation and was praised for its ingenuity.

What makes this so great, along with other Pixar films, is the strong writing of characters and story. Woody is Andy's favorite toy until Buzz Lightyear, a superior figure, is brought home. Woody and Buzz become enemies. But when they are separated from Andy when leaving the house, they must team up to find their way home before moving day.

The film itself is barely eighty minutes. So when a film can do so much so well in such little time, is amazing. The script was written by four people, but most notably, Joss Whedon. The script itself is very smart and ties itself together really well at the end. It is a perfect script.

Tom Hanks and Tim Allen voice Woody and Buzz. Tim Allen was popular in the 90s, but Hanks did not make it big until 'Forest Gump' which was not yet released when he was cast as Woody. It wasn't until 1992's 'Aladdin' when big screen-actors began voicing animation. Robin Williams was a star back then and he is the reason why famous actors dare to voice animation today. Hanks and Allen encapsulates the character of Woody and Buzz wonderfully as their two voices, themselves, are polar opposites. Allen's portrayal is very confident and commanding as Hanks' is very nervous and unsure. They translate well into the characters themselves.

The animation has aged because it is almost twenty five years old. Compared to today, it does look half rendered, at times. In the 90s, computer animators did not fully nail textures yet, so sometimes things look a little too smooth or glossy in the film. However, that is just a watermark of its time that gives it charm.

What really works best in this film is the growing friendship between Woody and Buzz. I love the arc that Buzz has in this film. He is very macho-man until he realizes that he is a nobody and he is not special; he is just "a toy." He later overcomes that barrier as he learns to "fall in style." It is an absolutely inspiring moment when you realize the film accomplished all of that emotional weight in under ninety minutes. The power of flight here is showing Buzz's breaking of his own chains and the soaring friendship of Woody and Buzz blossoming. It's a perfect moment.

I also love how this film, at times, borderlines a horror film. Disfigured toys creeping out of the shadows is terrifying for younger audiences. It really is a great gateway horror film, at times.

The famous part of this film is the song, "You Got a Friend in Me." It's a wonderful song because it really does foreshadow the friendship of Woody and Buzz. The song is first introduced when Andy and Woody are playing together. But this is a red herring. The true friendship is between Woody and Buzz when they learn that they don't have to fight over Andy's attention, they can share it.

Rating: See It

-Nolan