The first in a daily series looking back at Pixar Animation Studios' feature films
It's hard to imagine how people responded to this, the first film to be fully animated with CGI, during its initial release due to being born just a year later. But going by its critical praise and its high box office gross, it was possibly the best strongest start a new studio could have. But does Toy Story hold up in a time where animated films like The LEGO Movie and Frozen take a big chunk of box office and critical acclaim? It's safe to say that it does.
The animation style is magnificent. Yes, the characters may blink one eye at a time and Sid's dog does look incredibly creepy (more than the usual species), but it doesn't affect the overall quality of the film's visuals. For a style which was new, it works incredibly well with setting the standards for the medium which now dominates the film industry. As time will tell by future Pixar films, the style will improve more and more, but this original look still holds up to this day.
The characters are incredibly likable, with some clear character development from both Buzz and Woody. Add the excellent casting choices and their comedic timings, it helps create the characters we grow to know and love for another two films and a dozen shorts.
And boy, that comedy! Despite watching this film, I still find more and more to laugh about, whether it's "I'm Picasso!" or just the fact that one character is literally a hooker, it makes me laugh with every viewing. It's just how great the writing is - which resonates into the story as it's also a smart and original story.
Toy Story is a grand start for the studio, with a lot to love through its characters and comedy. There are no moments which you'd want to take out - if anything it's too short, at under 90 minutes - and it's begins what could be considered one of film's greatest trilogies. 10/10.
Next Time: It's 1998, and there be grasshoppers about! We take a look back at A Bug's Life!
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