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Toy Story (PG)

  • Run time: 1 hour 20 mins
  • Genre: Animation
  • Release date: 22nd March 1996

Plot Synopsis

The art of animation goes "to infinity and beyond" as Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios, a Northern California-based pioneer in computer graphics, join creative forces on the infinitely entertaining "Toy Story," the first full-length animated feature to be created entirely by artists using computer tools and technology. Four years in the making, this delightfully irreverent new comedy-adventure combines an imaginative story and great characters with the visual excitement of 3-D computer-generated animation. Conceived and directed by John Lasseter, a former Disney animator whose innovative work with Pixar includes the 1989 Oscar-winning short, "Tin Toy," this film represents a major milestone in animated moviemaking with its groundbreaking graphic style adding to the believability of a world where toys have a life of their own. With a cast of top vocal talent headed by Tom Hanks and Tim Allen plus three entertaining new songs and an inspired score by renowned composer/performer Randy Newman, the fantasy takes flight and provides extraordinary delights for moviegoers of all ages.

"Toy Story" represents an exciting first creative collaboration between Walt Disney Feature Animation and Pixar, a cutting-edge company which was incorporated in 1986 and has since established itself as the world's first "digital animation studio." It is the first in an exclusive three-picture arrangement between Disney and Pixar.

"Toy Story" focuses on the relationship between two rival toys. There's Woody (Tom Hanks), a traditional pull-string talking cowboy, who has long enjoyed a place of honor as the favorite among six-year-old Andy's menagerie of toys. Admired and respected by the other toys, he is the de facto leader who keeps peace between the various and disparate personalities who tend to bicker amongst themselves. Quick to calm their anxieties about being replaced by newer arrivals, Woody finds his own confidence shaken, and his status as top toy in jeopardy, when "strange things" begin to happen.

Those "strange things" coincide with the arrival of Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), simply the coolest space action figure ever made. Complete with voice sampler, laser beam, karate chop action and pop-out wings, Buzz is a boy's dream come true but a pain-in-the-neck to his fellow-toy Woody. Suffering from the delusion that he is not a toy but the actual intrepid defender of the galaxies who has been sent to save the universe from the evil Emperor Zurg, Buzz's sole purpose after crash-landing in Andy's room is to get his spaceship (the box in which he was sold) fixed and continue his mission with the universe protection unit.

Much to Woody's chagrin, Buzz begins to monopolize all of Andy's attention and becomes an instant favorite with his toymates: Slinky Dog¦, Woody's faithful and loyal sidekick, whose down-home southern drawl is provided by Jim Varney of the "Ernest" movies; Mr. Potato Head¦ the cantankerous spud, who is appropriately voiced by Don Rickles; Hamm, the know-it-all piggy bank, voiced by John Ratzenberger, best known as America's most famous postman, Cliff Clavin on "Cheers"; Rex, the neurotic, sensitive and insecure plastic dinosaur, voiced by Wallace Shawn, and; Bo Peep, the beautiful porcelain lamp who lights up Woody's life, who is voiced by Annie Potts.

Woody plots to get rid of Buzz, but things backfire and he finds himself lost in the outside world with Buzz as his only companion. Joining forces to find their way home, the two rivals set out on an adventure that takes them to Pizza Planet, a galactic-themed fast food/arcade, and lands them in the clutches of Sid, a sadistic neighborhood kid who is notorious for dismembering and reassembling "mutant" toys in his bedroom. It is a toy's worst nightmare come true.

As "guests" of Sid and his dog, Scud, the two fugitive toys form an even closer bond. Buzz discovers that he is not a real space ranger and, with Woody's help and encouragement, learns his true value as a toy. Together, the cowboy and the spaceman forge a genuine friendship and learn that only through mutual trust and respect do they have any chance of survival.

Using a new generation of state-of-the-art software (developed by Pixar) and employing a team of top technical talents and artists specially trained for this unique form of animation, "Toy Story" combines technical artistry with a warm- hearted family story that is in the best Disney tradition.