Review of Toy Story (1995) by Kevin P — 13 Feb 2018

Strengths: It's one of the most innovative films of all time. It set the standard for computer animation in film and put Pixar on the map as a company. It's insane to think that this was done in 1995 and still looks fantastic over twenty years later. They took a relatively simple concept for a story, and built it into one of the finest films in history. The feeling of being replaced someone new is one that many people have experienced, making Woody's tale relatable. Tom Hanks (Woody) and Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear) both deliver ace voice performances that would go on to become iconic. The rest of the characters are perfect choices for support. They all just the right amount of quirks to make them memorable. From an insecure dinosaur to a loyal slinky dog to a knowledgeable piggy bank to an angry potato, you can't help but be entertained. Sid (Erik von Detten) made for a great villain, perfectly fitting into this story. The final few minutes were great, as the drama was built up very well and you kept thinking Woody and Buzz would never make it home. Though I'm not a fan of Randy Newman, his music in this film is iconic for a reason.

Weaknesses: It's really hard to find flaws with this movie. If I had to pick one, I guess some of the scenes might not be great for all children. The stuff with the toys in Sid's room is quite dark.

Overall: A masterpiece of a film that is not only a classic for the content, but because of the impact it had on the industry. Incredible characters and voice cast, a great story, and animation that was ahead of its time. Toy Story is an instant classic.