Opinions: Toy Story is THE BEST PIXAR film.

When I was younger, my sister and I LOVED playing with our toys (probably more than any other child at the time, though this is yet to be proven as a fact), and we both shared the common theory that when we left the room our toys would magically come to life and have a far richer social life than we could ever wish for. So many times we tried to leap in on them talking...creeping our heads round the door frames. Idiots, I know. However, when I turned four, this theory was cemented ever more with the release of Toy Story, PIXAR's first full-feature which involved toys coming to life and leading exciting lives of their own. I was hooked from the start.

20 REASONS WHY TOY STORY IS THE BEST PIXAR FILM

1. Nearly twenty years on, Toy Story is still as graphically impressive as the day it was released.

2. The characters are both familiar to children and adults.

3. Randy Newman's songs may be predictable and simple to the cynic, but to the softie they're more than a little bit heart-breaking.

4. Everyone's imagined their toys coming to life at some point. C'mon, admit it.

5. The graphics and animation were ground-breaking, and completely stole the Disney crown. Pixar are still doing the same today- Disney never really stood a chance.

6. The original is always the best.

7. Every body loves toys.

8. The film captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, and the consequent sucess lead onto two more films- so far the only "triology" in Pixar's film history.

9. The colours are expectional- bright, cheery and child-like. 

10. The attention to detail in the terms of the animation at this time was completely ground-breaking...to the point in which all details would be reflected in glass, or a plastic visor in Buzz's helmet. Incredible.

11. Terry Gilliam, director, and former member of Monty Python states 'Toy Story' as being in his top ten films "period". 

12. One of the notable toys in the film is an etch-a-sketch. And we all love a good doodle.

13. The story is one of friendship, but also loss- mature themes concealed in a child-like outer shell- both appealing to adults and children.

14. The screenplay in amazing- littered with comical one-lines, what have become catchphrases, and little jokes that catch you off guard. In many Pixar films, there is a little bit of the "cringe" factor with jokes- Toy Story, however, completely avoids this type of humour.

15. The film somehow manages to be heartbreaking, and causes a lump in the throat- all from animation. Incredible.

16. The story is crammed with adventure- and as you grow to familiarise, and even love the characters, you find yourself unashamedly rooting for them at the end of the tense action sequences.

17. You can't go into a children's toy store without seeing a Toy Story figurine of some kind. It's contagious.

18. There are subtle "in jokes" throughout the film to make the adult audience laugh- without being too obvious. When Woody knocks Buzz out of the window with the desk lamp, the Indiana Jones theme song subtly plays in the background.

19. However many times you watch the film, there is always something new to see- with so many precise details, you are always entertained by spotting something new.

20. Tom Hanks voices one of the central characters, the cowboy, Woody. If you don't love Tom Hanks, frankly, you don't have a soul.

20 FACTS ABOUT TOY STORY

1. The film was selected into the National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant in 2005, it's first year og eligibility.

2. Toy Story was the top-grossing film on it's opening weekend.

3. The film has taken in over $191 million from the US and Canada alone, and $361 million worldwide.

4. The name Buzz (for Buzz Lightyear) was inspired by Buzz Aldren, one of the astronauts who took the first mission to the moon.

5. Toy Story was the first animated role for both of the lead cast members, Tom Hanks playing Woody, and Tim Allen playing Buzz.

6. The film was made, in total, by 110 people- animators, designers, storyboarders, producers, etc.

7. The film was made for a total of $30 million.

8. 27 animators worked on the film through it's entirety, using 400 computer models to animate the characters in the film.

9. Of all of the characters, Woody the Cowboy had the most details in the animation process- requiring 723 motion controls, which included 212 for his face and 58 for his mouth alone.

10. The film, when first released, was in cinemas for 37 weeks- over half a year.

11. When released, Toy Story was the only Pixar film that was branded with the Disney logo despite the collaborative effort. However, since 2006, the film, along with the other Pixar movies are now branded with the Disney-Pixar logo.

12. In October 2009, the film was re-released in Disney Digital 3-D.

13. Film review site, Rotten Tomatoes, gave the film 100% "fresh" rating, from 74 votes...with an average rating of 9/10.

14. In 1995, Toy Story was named eighth in Time Magazine's list of the best ten films of 1995.

15. Toy Story was nominated for two Golden Globes, one for "Best Motion Picture- Comedy/Musical", and one for "Best Original Song- Motion Picture" for Randy Newman's 'You Got A Friend In Me'.

16. In November 1996, the Disney on Ice: Toy Story ice show opened which featured the voices of the cast as well as the music by Randy Newman.

17. Buzz's classic line "To infinity and beyond!" has seen use by philosopher and mathematical theorists, used in the sense to indicate that one who is happy with a life on Earth as well as having an afterlife.

18. Toy Story is also among the top ten in the BFI list of the 50 films you should see by the age of 14. 


19. The film is highest placed animated film in Empire's list of "500 Greatest Movies of All Time".

20. Toy Story was the highest grossing domestic film in 1995, beating 'Batman Forever' and 'Apollo 13' (which also starred Tom Hanks).

20 WORDS ASSOCIATED WITH TOY STORY

1. Magic

2. Pixar

3. Animation

4. Toys

5. Childhood

6. Andy

7. Buzz

8. Woody

9. Innovation

10. Film

11. Design

12. Storyboarding

13. Friendship

14. Randy Newman

15. Music

16. California (Emeryville)

17. USA

18. Tom Hanks

19. Spacemen

20. Aliens

20 OPINIONS OF TOY STORY

(In response to the question: do you think that toy story is the best PIXAR film?)

1. No! Up is! It's so sad :( But Toy Story 3 was also kinda sad- Arcade Fire Listener, via Yahoo Answers.

2. I guess soo...It had soooo many views and it was released multiple time, and it was kinda a triology! I'm still going to answer my FAVOURITE pixar film...monsters inc! It was cute!- Tear Sparks, via Yahoo Answers.

3. I think my favourites are: 1. Toy Story 3 2. The Incredibles 3. Finding Nemo 4. Up All of the Pizar movies are amazing, but I liked these the most. I wasn't alive for the first Pixar movies like A Bug's Life, Toy Story, and I was born in the year when Toy Story 2 came out- leopardgirl6, via Yahoo Answers.

4. Well, it's either Toy Story 2 or The Incredibles- Kyle is a Winnar, via Yahoo Answers.

5. Yes, Probably- Ryan Sheckler, via Yahoo Answers.

6. Yes because the story is great and can appeal to both kids and adults, plus, the animation is amazing in it and the graphics are colourful and bright- Rockstarboy92, via Yahoo Answers.

7. I think that Toy Story 3 was great, but my all time favourite is monsters inc- Nikki Q, via Yahoo Answers.

8. No. Toy Story 3 is much better- Aditya, via Yahoo Answers.

9. I really like Toy Story but I like Finding Nemo a bit (just a real small bit) better :)- Santosh, via Yahoo Answers.

10. I would have to go with The Incredibles or Up (depending on mood) 

I was never really a big fan of Toy Story, simple recognizing the pionerring endeavor that it was when it first came out. However, Toy Story 3 really surprised me, and that movie alone raised all the Toy Story films a little higher in my book- D. Justin, via Yahoo Answers.

11. Yes, Toy Story 3 is an amazing movie. It was emotional because this was the last movie and everyone had grown to like all the toys like Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and others. I was surprised that Disney stepped up their animation for the last movie. But, this movie was great. The other ones were great too. I wasn't born when the first one came out, but the second one came out in the year I was born- leopardgirl6, via Yahoo Answers.

12. Nope, as far as theatricla quality, pushing the limits of current technology, and reaching a diverse audience, I think WALL-E was the best Pixar film so far- sweeterthansouthernpeacanpie, via Yahoo Answers.

13. I think it's a tie between the first Toy Story and Shrek 2- Matt, via Yahoo Answers. (please note, fact fans, the Shrek franchise is, infact, from Dreamworks, not Pixar...)

(In response to the previously posted question 'What pixar film do you like best and why?' by helen, via Yahoo Answers)

14. Finding Nemo and Ratatouille- I just liked em. (Annonymus Answer, via Yahoo Answers).

15. Finding Nemo cause it was funny. Wall-E because the story was good. (Annonymus Answer, via Yahoo Answers).

16. Up?? (Annonymus Answer, via Yahoo Answers).

(In response to the previously posted question 'What are good Pixar films?' by In The Beginning Man Created God, via Yahoo Answers)

17. "Ratatouille" is my favourite, followed by "Up" and "Toy Story"- Aisha, via Yahoo Answers. 

(In response to the previously posted question 'What is your favourite Pixar movie?' by Judy, via Yahoo Answers)

18. Wall-E. Using very little dialogue and giving life to a series of robots, the film made me feel a wide range of emotions. This is a timeless piece of animation (Annonymus Answer, via Yahoo Answers).

19. Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc. I like both for the creativity and humour. Finding Nemo was very impressive in the details and colours of life underwater (Annonymus Answer, via Yahoo Answers).

20. Cars was awesome and I don't usually care for those types of movies-luving_mother_of_two, via Yahoo Answers.

20 IMAGES OF TOY STORY

(Images largely from Toy Story 1, with the addition of others from 2&3 (the complete franchise))

The complete "cast" of characters from Toy Story 2- in which the Cowboy doll, Woody, is introduced to fellow members of the Roundup Gang.

A promo for Toy Story 3- Here featuring Woody, the cowboy- as voiced by Tom Hanks.

Cast and crew for Toy Story 3...and now my desktop wallpaper. Nice.

Buzz the Spaceranger and Woody the cowboy- voiced by Tim Allen and Tom Hanks, pictured here from the first film (which was the best, obviously...)

The toys having been sent to Sunnyside Playschool as Andy leaves for College in Toy Story 3.

Mr and Mrs Potato Head- so many oppurtunities for laughs with this classic Preschool toy.

The Aliens- as cute as cute can be. First featured in the Pizzeria in Toy Story 1.

Buzz Lightyear to the rescue! The grand unveiling of the new "toy" in the first film.

Supporting "cast" toys in the first film- Bo Peep, Mr Potato Head, Slinky, and Hamm.

All the character in the third, and final estallment of the Toy Story franchise.

Toy Story's Woody and Buzz, joining in milking the cash cow with the evolution of three-dimensional cinema.

Promo for the film- the "big car chase" at the end of the movie.

N'aww...too cute. If I'd of had a costume like this at their age, I would make sure my parents would have kept it, and I'd be trying to fit into it now.

Promo for the 10th anniversary of Toy Story- despite the fact the film is nearly twenty-years old, it still looks as contemporary and perfect as the day it was released.

Ken- certainly the highlight of the third film. The relationship played out between Ken and Barbie is enough reason to watch the film alone. Pure hilariousness.

The entire "cast" of the third film...as all good things come to an end.