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Toy Story

Toy Story

By Patrick Samuel • December 12th, 2012
Static Mass Rating: 5/5
TOY STORY (MOVIE)
Walt Disney Pictures

Original release: November 22nd, 1995
Running time: 81 minutes

Director: John Lasseter
Writers: Joss Whedon, Andrew Stanton, Joel Cohen, Alec Sokolow

Voice cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, Laurie Metcalf

Toy Story

It’s a widely known fact in the non-adult community. Every little boy and girl knows it but they forget it as they get older. Toys come alive when we’re not around. That’s right; teddies, rag dolls, plastic T-Rex’s, even those wild guys with the unruly pink hair. They all share a wonderful, magical world that would be endangered if the adults found out. It’s just as well the magic wears off at a certain age once they start getting busy with exams, jobs, houses and families of their own.

At heart, I’m still a child and the magic never wore off for me, I guess that’s because I never really got that busy with those other things. A smile still lights up my face when I see a cuddly teddy, a bag of toy soldiers, a bucket of building blocks or a film like Toy Story. It taps into that part of my mind that’s home to my imagination and for those who know me and know me well, know that I live in perpetual state of imagination! It was unlike any film I’d seen before and it looked so different. Made entirely in CGI, a first in that time, Toy Story’s characters inhabited a world very much like ours – they came alive when no one was around.

In Andy’s room there’s Woody, a pull-string cowboy doll, who spends his time organising games with the other toys in the room; Mr. Potato Head, Slinky Dog, Rex, Hamm and Bo Peep. They’re a pretty happy bunch of toys but they do have worries about what presents Andy will get on his 8th birthday. As Andy’s main toy, Woody always gets chosen to ride with him on car journeys, go to Pizza Planet and sleep next him as well, so if a new toy comes along, that could mean the end of those privileges. Lo and behold, Andy does get a new toy, a Buzz Lightyear action figure that comes complete with wings, laser and a space helmet – everything that could make him the little Andy’s favourite toy.

Toy Story

The toys have more worries though, with the family set to move they’re all in a constant state of tension and for Woody that’s heightened because his place alongside Andy’s taken by Buzz. After his attempt to get Buzz misplaced ends in disaster, Woody’s accused of foul play and even though he’s guilty he tries to get Buzz back to clear his name. However, the pair end up in the house of Andy’s very mean and cruel neighbour, a boy named Sid who really, really doesn’t like to look after his toys.

If you’ve seen Toy Story before you’ll no doubt remember how menacing Sid was and how much the toys feared him. With his mean scowl and mischievous eyes you really wouldn’t want to end up in his toy box if you were a plastic figurine, Toy Storybut like with all good stories, this evil character eventually gets his comeuppance and it couldn’t come any sooner for him!

Buzz and Woody eventually work together to make their way back to Andy’s before the move takes place and they get left behind forever. It’s a thrilling adventure filled with danger and fun where even the smallest items can become the biggest obstacles.

I was already a teenager when Toy Story first came out but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the fun with my much younger nephew and nieces who were all enthralled by this wonderful secret world. I did my best to assure them that it’s all true, which is why they should look after their toys. Watching it again after all these years it’s still amazing to see Woody springing into action and his facial expressions as he tries to figure out how to outdo Buzz at every opportunity. The film still has that remarkable ability to tap into our imaginations and make us remember a time in our lives when there were more important things to worry about – such as our toys.

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Patrick Samuel

Patrick Samuel

The founder of Static Mass Emporium and one of its Editors in Chief is an emerging artist with a philosophy degree, working primarily with pastels and graphite pencils, but he also enjoys experimenting with water colours, acrylics, glass and oil paints.

Being on the autistic spectrum with Asperger’s Syndrome, he is stimulated by bold, contrasting colours, intricate details, multiple textures, and varying shades of light and dark. Patrick's work extends to sound and video, and when not drawing or painting, he can be found working on projects he shares online with his followers.

Patrick returned to drawing and painting after a prolonged break in December 2016 as part of his daily art therapy, and is now making the transition to being a full-time artist. As a spokesperson for autism awareness, he also gives talks and presentations on the benefits of creative therapy.

Static Mass is where he lives his passion for film and writing about it. A fan of film classics, documentaries and science fiction, Patrick prefers films with an impeccable way of storytelling that reflect on the human condition.

Patrick Samuel ¦ Asperger Artist

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