Cowboy doll Woody is Andy's favorite toy, and as part of that comes the privilege of being the leader of all the other toys. His world is suddenly turned upside down when Andy gets a Buzz Lightyear action figure for his birthday. Suddenly, Woody finds himself in danger of being replaced as Andy and all the toys flock to Buzz. Worse yet, Buzz doesn't know he's a toy. He thinks he's the real Buzz Lightyear. But when the two toys get lost a couple days before Andy moves, they'll have to work together to get home. Can Woody work with Buzz when they don't have the same goal?I can't believe it's been ten years since this movie came out. It's had an immeasurable impact on the animation field and movies in general. At the same time, its flaws are evident. The humans look as plastic as the toys, and the fur on the dog is laughable. Computers have come a long way in ten years.
Whether this movie was any good or not, it would have been an important milestone. Fortunately, it succeeds on an entertainment level as well. The story is masterfully told revealing plot points and character equally. The movie is extremely funny as well; with lots of jokes for the adults in the audience and some classic lines I quote all the time. Plus it introduces us to a Pixar staple, the climax that will not quit.
Pixar has released great DVD's from the start, and this two-disc set is no different. The movie is transferred directly from the digital files, so the picture is perfect. Sound is wonderful in two separate 5.1 surround tracks. Many of these extras are from the Ultimate Toy Box release of a few years ago, and they are well worth having. The commentary is very informative. The deleted scenes are interesting, but it's obvious why they were deleted. The new features looking back at the movie from ten years later are wonderful as well.
This is a ground breaking movie that is just as much fun to watch as it is historic. I hadn't watched it in quite some time and was reminded just how fun it is. I've got to watch it more often.
Buy Toy Story (Two-Disc Special Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo w/ DVD Packaging) (1995) Now
"Toy Story", the landmark movie that ushered animation into the computer age, is still a bona fide family classicand funny as all get-out to boot. This superb package brings it all back, both the movie itself and an Al's Toy Barn full of bonuses.First things firstthe movie looks and sounds fantastic!
I don't have one of those flashy home-theater outfits, but this digital print shows off some great color, with the various toy characters in pristine, bright glory. Sound master Gary Rydstrom upgraded the soundtrack to the point where you can hear the click of the tiny toy soldiers. Best of all, you don't need a 50-inch screen or ultra-Dolby amp to enjoy this newer-than-new view.
The movie, of course, introduced a new, innovative animation outfit called Pixar to the worldand what a job they did on this first feature effort! Woody and Buzz Lightyear, of course, are icons to kids of all ages, but all the other members of the "Andy's Room" community were greatand funny. Mr. Potato Head (voiced by Don Rickles), Rex the dinosaur (Wallace Shawn) and even the little green Army sergeant (war-movie vet R. Lee Ermey) are just a few of these classic inanimate objects turned flesh-and-bloodwell, almostcharacters.
The storylinea combination of buddy comedy, toy fair, sci-fi flick and domestic sitcom (to name a few elements) is, in its own way, as multi-layered and satisfying as the most mature adult dramas. From the moment all the toys come to life when Andy's away to a great exit line when the toys learn about his latest surprise gift, you're drawn in to this unusual world that's as striking now as it must have been a decade ago.
Disc 1 has both the movie and a new feature with both the Pixar team and a few others (Chris "Robots" Wedge, George Lucas, Roy Disney) offering their views on what "Toy Story" did to transform the entire animation genre. It's Disc 2, however, that has the goodsa couple of dozen features, clips and art galleries that literally break down the walls and give both the kid/family core crowd and the animation scholar a remarkable look at how much effort goes into this sort of film. The fact that Pixar and the CGI form themselves were in their infancy at the time only enhances just what great craftsmen these people are.
After an entertaining coffee-talk session involving Pixar's "four horsemen"the core writer/artist/director/geeks who helmed every future project up to "The Incredibles"we can check out everything from sequence development, sketch to full-on; galleries on characters like Woody and Buzz set to music; a multi-language sequence (from Finnish to Chinese to Turkish!); even Randy Newman's original piano-and-voice (and he's a fantastic piano player!) demo score. NothingI say, nothingis out of place.
"Toy Story" is simple enough to be an ideal choice for a "child's first movie" yet sophisticated enough to give the serious cineaste plenty to study. It's as witty as the best literate comedies and as warm as an old-style family saga. It proved that top-drawer stars could also be great voice actors, and it entered a child's world with a fresh, not-so-"kiddie" angle. It balanced off sweet little Andy with mad-scientist Sid (his mutant monster-movie toy creations are a show in themselves)
in a great show of kids with personality. And it established Pixar as the flagship of animated featuresagain, it's incredible that this was their first!
"Toy Story", the super-deluxe edition, is a must for any animation buff, family with kids, or just about anyone who loves movies. I'm already on line for the upcoming (New Year's) "Toy Story 2" set, which will give its equally-great sequel (dare I say the "Godfather" and "Godfather II" of animation?) the format it deserves. With any luck, "Toy Story" will be one of the best-loved movies ever, to infinity...and beyond!Blu-ray purchasers should be aware that the Blu-ray/DVD combo is available in 2 different packages: Blu-ray Packaging and DVD Packaging. The discs and contents are the same, but if you prefer a certain case, make sure you order the correct one.
I have nothing else to add to the 250+ reviews already here, except to note that the Blu-ray transfer is GORGEOUS: crisp, clean, and perfect. An expert reviewer at the website DVD Beaver has said that out of the 900+ Blu-ray discs he owns, this is the best-looking one.
Want Toy Story (Two-Disc Special Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo w/ DVD Packaging) (1995) Discount?
A timeless tale. Computer animation has advanced much in ten years, but "Toy Story" is still a true masterpiece for the entire family. A true visual treat to watch and featuring a strongly absorbing plot.For anyone that might not know yet, just a quick rundown --Woody, a cowboy, is a toy that has been a boy, Andy's favorite for many years. Sharing Andy's room with a whole collection of other toys, he's become a sort of unofficial leader. Everything changes, though, when a birthday party for Andy brings a new toy. Buzz Lightyear has wings, glows in the dark, has an electronic voicebox and even karate chop action. To top off, he doesn't even know he's a toy! Pretty soon, it seems like Buzz has become Andy's favorite and Woody is getting left behind. Then, circumstances come together so that Woody and Buzz have to work together to save their own lives and be reunited with Andy. The film features several great songs --"You've Got a Friend in Me" (and closing credits version), "Strange Things" and "I Will Go Sailing No More." (All composed and performed by Randy Newman, with Lyle Lovett joining on the closing credits version of "Friend in Me.")
For those enjoying the movie anew, or for the first time, the DVD experience is great. It features enhanced picture quality and new 5.1 Surround Sound. The movie is fully digitally mastered and also featured French and Spanish audiotracks, as well as subtitles and close-captioning. And, to top it all off, there's also a commentary track with several of the movie staff, as well as many others popping in briefly throughout. I'm very glad they went with this and resisted the temptation of going with something goofy, like commentary by the toys or something.
The "Toy Story" 10th Anniversary Edition DVD brims with special features just waiting to be checked out. There are deleted/extended scenes featuring stuff that either was slowing the movie down, or ultimately wasn't working for the movie anymore, such as an alternate opening featuring the Buzz Lightyear Show. There are retrospective lookbacks at the film from VIPs such as film critics, movie/Pixar staff and even Buzz Aldrin.
There's an exclusive look at the upcoming Disney/Pixar film "Cars," with the promise of more to come on the "Toy Story 2" DVD release. There are also trailers that I hadn't seen before for the upcoming "Lady and the Tramp" and "Little Mermaid" Disney Platinum Edition releases.
Another great special feature is Randy Newman Demos for all of the songs in the film. It doesn't stop there, though --there are also a few Randy Newman demos of songs that didn't make into the movie, including two versions of "Plastic Spaceman," a pretty good song that was eventually replaced by the even-better "I Will Go Sailing No More."
There are more special features as well, but I'll let these be a surprise.
One little bit that's pretty cute are a series of a short skits accessible by hitting the star buttons scattered throughout the second disc. These play entirely new animations featuring the Toy Story characters and while it sounds like a couple of the voices may have been changed, it sounded to me that for the most part they were able to get the original cast. These are also accessible from an index, in case you find it hard to find and follow all the stars.
On top of all these great special features, it's nice to know that the people who put together the DVD didn't forget the little things. Every menu option has a time indicator next to it, so you know exactly what you're getting into ahead of time. On top of all of that, here's a great feature that's really rare --all special features are fully close-captioned!
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