When Walt Disney Pictures released the movie “Toy Story” in 1995, it instantly became a hit. It became a top-grossing film on its opening weekend. The animated movie subsequently earned $191 million in North America and $360 million worldwide. The success of Toy Story lies in its critically acclaimed story and screenplay. It was also the first movie to solely use computer-generated imagery (CGI) all through out the movie. A top grossing film, naturally, will earn more aside from the movie ticket sales. From DVD release, to merchandise, to video games and of course, toys. Lots of toys. And Toy Story has them all; action figures, dolls and toy figurines to name a few.
Some would say Woody, an old-fashioned pull-string cowboy doll, is the heart of the movie. Actor Tom Hanks did a great job giving voice to this character in the movie. Woody is inspired by the film executive producer’s favorite toy, a pull-sting talking doll. Incidentally, some would also argue that Woody is not a “doll” but an early prototype of an action figure. Certainly, he’s not a toy figurine. But what’s not in question is that Woody is the alpha-toy in Andy’s room. He has his own place in the boy’s bed. He is no doubt Andy’s favorite. That is, until the appearance of a laser-firing, to-infinity-and-beyond-talking space ranger action figure, Buzz Lightyear.
Buzz, voiced by the talented actor Tim Allen, is the newest toy in Andy’s collection. But the thing is, Buzz Lightyear didn’t know that he’s an action figure. This is the scenario that constantly cause friction between Woody and Buzz. Woody kept telling Buzz that he’s not a real space ranger but a toy, a toy! But what Woody really hates is the fact that Andy seems to like Buzz more. He plays with him always and even gave Woody’s place in the bed to Buzz. If Buzz is not an action figure, say a plastic toy soldier or even a toy figurine, Woody would’ve probably slept better in his part of the bed.
Bo Peep on the other hand is a shepherdess toy figurine made of porcelain. Toy Story writers are said to be inspired by the children’s nursery rhyme Little Bo-Peep. Molly, Andy’s little sister originally owns Bo Peep (she’s an adornment to Molly’s bedside lamp) but Andy likes to play with this lovable toy figurine, too. Bo Peep, whenever Andy is playing, is usually the damsel in distress which Woody always rescue. That’s also why when these toys come to life whenever Andy’s not around, it isn’t surprising to find out that Bo Peep has this thing for her rescuer Woody. The romantic girls watching the movie, for sure, can relate to that instantly.
Kids of all ages, including the Dads, can relate to the Toy Story movie because all of us own a toy or two once. Kids today would probably own the latest action figure. Their dads would’ve probably owned a toy like Woody, while their moms or your sisters probably played with a toy figurine like Bo Peep. Every one of us for sure, can relate to Andy, the human kid in the movie who owns all these toys. We may not have as many toys as Andy, but all of us at one point or another has his or her favorite toy to play with.
