Toy Story (1995)

Director: John Lasseter

A cowboy doll is profoundly threatened and jealous when a new spaceman action figure supplants him as top toy in a boy’s bedroom.

What do toys do when kids stop playing with them? Well, ‘Toy Story’ might provide some answers.

As the title indicates – and as you’ll see from the characters – ‘Toy Story’ is definitely more of a kids film. In every sense this is a beautifully animated cartoon kids will love watching over and over again. They will laugh at the antics the toys get up to, they will love the characters that might resemble some of the toys in their own room, and they will enjoy the story. It is a simple, easy to follow premise.

Thanks to adding elements of danger and adventure, and themes adults can relate to, the film also has a mature appeal. Thus, ‘Toy Story’ is perfect for the entire family. But what is this story about? Andy is a young boy who lives in a nice neighbourhood and his favourite toy is a cowboy doll named Woody (who is wonderfully voiced by Tom Hanks). He has several other toys and when Andy is not around, they all come to life and have their own adventures.

Then Andy gets a brand new, modern toy for his birthday: Buzz Lightyear – a space action figure. Buzz Lightyear soon becomes Andy’s favourite toy, and this sparks jealousy in Woody. But when Woody accidentally knocks Buzz Lightyear out the window, it becomes Woody’s mission to save him.

There’s plenty of action and adventure that follows and ‘Toy Story’ is sure to entertain kids (and adults!) from beginning to end. Sit back, relax, and see what the toys are up to when you’re not watching!

‘Toy Story’ became a huge box office hit, raking in $394.4 million on a $30 million budget. It received 52 award nominations, including Oscar nominations for Best Screenplay, Best Original Song, and Best Score. It won awards for Best Music, Best Writing, Best Director, Best Producer, Best Production Design, Best Animation, Best Animated Feature, and Best Voice Acting (for Tom Hanks).

Would I watch it again? Yes.