Toy Story

Toy Story
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Name	Toy Story
Director	John Lasseter
Producer	Ralph Guggenheim, Bonnie Arnold
Writer	Joel Cohen, Alec Sokolow
Starring	Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn
Music	Randy Newman
Studio	Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures
Released	November 22, 1995
Runtime	81 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$30 million
Gross	$361.9 million

Toy Story is a groundbreaking computer-animated film directed by John Lasseter and produced by Ralph Guggenheim and Bonnie Arnold of Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures. The film features an ensemble voice cast, including Tom Hanks as Sheriff Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head, Jim Varney as Slinky Dog, and Wallace Shawn as Rex. The movie's success can be attributed to the collaboration between Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures, with music composed by Randy Newman and editing by Lee Unkrich and Robert Gordon.

Introduction

The concept of **Toy Story** was born out of the imagination of John Lasseter, who was inspired by his own experiences as a child and his love for Disney classics, such as **Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs** and **Bambi**. Lasseter's vision was to create a film that would bring **toys** to life, and he drew inspiration from his favorite childhood toys, including **G.I. Joe** and **Mr. Potato Head**. The film's story was developed in collaboration with **Joel Cohen** and **Alec Sokolow**, who worked closely with Lasseter to craft a narrative that would appeal to both children and adults. The film's production was supported by **Steve Jobs**, who was the CEO of **Pixar Animation Studios** at the time, and **Michael Eisner**, who was the CEO of **The Walt Disney Company**.

Production

The production of **Toy Story** was a complex and innovative process that involved the use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) to bring the characters and environments to life. The film was produced by **Ralph Guggenheim** and **Bonnie Arnold**, who worked closely with **John Lasseter** to ensure that the film's vision was realized. The animation was created by a team of artists and technicians at **Pixar Animation Studios**, who used software developed by **Ed Catmull** and **Alvy Ray Smith** to create the film's 3D models and environments. The film's voice cast, including **Tom Hanks**, **Tim Allen**, and **Don Rickles**, recorded their lines at **Skywalker Sound**, which is a division of **Lucasfilm**.

Plot

The plot of **Toy Story** follows the adventures of a group of toys, including **Sheriff Woody**, **Buzz Lightyear**, **Mr. Potato Head**, **Slinky Dog**, and **Rex**, who come to life when humans are not around. The toys are owned by a young boy named **Andy Davis**, who is moving to a new house with his family, including his mother, **Mrs. Davis**, and his sister, **Molly Davis**. The toys must navigate their new environment and compete for **Andy's** attention, while also facing the threat of **Sid Phillips**, a next-door neighbor who enjoys torturing and disassembling toys. Along the way, the toys learn valuable lessons about friendship, loyalty, and the importance of using their imagination, inspired by classic films like **E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial** and **The Wizard of Oz**.

Characters

The characters in **Toy Story** are a diverse and lovable group of toys, each with their own unique personality and traits. **Sheriff Woody**, voiced by **Tom Hanks**, is a pull-string cowboy toy who is obsessed with being played with by **Andy Davis**. **Buzz Lightyear**, voiced by **Tim Allen**, is a space ranger action figure who believes he is an actual space ranger, inspired by films like **Star Wars** and **2001: A Space Odyssey**. **Mr. Potato Head**, voiced by **Don Rickles**, is a wise-cracking potato-shaped toy with removable parts, while **Slinky Dog**, voiced by **Jim Varney**, is a dachshund with a stretching body, reminiscent of classic cartoons like **Looney Tunes** and **Tom and Jerry**. **Rex**, voiced by **Wallace Shawn**, is a toy dinosaur who is afraid of being left behind, much like characters in **The Land Before Time** and **The Flintstones**.

Reception

**Toy Story** was released on November 22, 1995, and was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $361 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 1995, alongside **Batman Forever** and **Apollo 13**. The film received widespread critical acclaim, with praise for its innovative animation, engaging storyline, and memorable characters, drawing comparisons to classic films like **The Jungle Book** and **The Lion King**. The film holds a 100% approval rating on **Rotten Tomatoes**, with many critics praising the film's originality and charm, including **Roger Ebert** and **Gene Siskel**. The film's success can be attributed to the collaboration between **Pixar Animation Studios** and **Walt Disney Pictures**, as well as the film's talented voice cast, including **Tom Hanks** and **Tim Allen**.

Legacy

The success of **Toy Story** spawned a franchise, including two sequels, **Toy Story 2** and **Toy Story 3**, as well as several short films, video games, and merchandise, including **Toy Story Mania!** and **Toy Story Land** at **Disney's Hollywood Studios**. The film's impact on the animation industry was significant, paving the way for future computer-animated films like **Shrek** and **Frozen**, and inspiring animators like **Brad Bird** and **Andrew Stanton**. The film's characters, including **Sheriff Woody** and **Buzz Lightyear**, have become cultural icons, inspiring countless fan art, cosplay, and fan fiction, and have been referenced in popular culture, including **The Simpsons** and **Family Guy**. The film's legacy continues to be celebrated, with **Toy Story 4** released in 2019, and a spin-off film, **Lightyear**, scheduled for release in 2022, both produced by **Pixar Animation Studios** and **Walt Disney Pictures**. Category:American animated films