2. Toy Story (written by Aaron Sarnecky) 

Release Date: November 22, 1995

Voice Talents: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, John Morris, Erik Von Detten, R. Lee Ermey, Laurie Metcalf, Sarah Freeman, Penn Jillette

Director: John Lasseter

First Time I Saw It: According to my mom, Toy Story is the first movie I ever saw in theaters, and I believe her, since one of the earliest memories I have is standing outside the movie theater. I don’t remember that much about actually seeing the movie for the first time though, to be honest. I just know that I instantly loved it and that it became an automatic favorite in my family. I had the toys, the VHS, and the computer game. So, yeah, obviously the movie made a big impression on me.

Its Impact on the Pixar Brand: Pixar owes almost everything to this movie. It’s what sold people on Pixar’s feature films. And when I say people, I don’t just mean audiences, who shelled out over 10 times the movie’s budget to see it. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences officially recognized this movie, not only with three Oscar nominations (for Best Original Song, Best Musical or Comedy Score, and Best Original Screenplay), but also by awarding John Lasseter an Academy Special Achievement Award for making the first feature-length computer-animated film.

Following the success of the original Toy Story, Pixar would go on to make two acclaimed blockbuster sequels (as well as one currently in the works) and several shorts, and by the mid-2000s Pixar would establish itself as the multi-Academy Award winning computer animation studio that every other studio following it could only hope to be. And while Pixar’s other movies continue to be amazingly successful, when people hear Pixar they still think Toy Story.

Why I Love It: As I said before, this is the first movie I saw in theaters, so I’m going to love it regardless of its quality. It’s one reason why Toy Story 3 meant so much to me, because I was going to college at the end of the summer too; it felt like the end of my childhood. But nostalgia aside, the first Toy Story still holds up remarkably well after all this time. Part of it has to do with the originality of the concept. It’s kind of like if the toys on the Island of Misfit Toys had a show; it’s about their need to be loved by a child. But what sets Toy Story apart from just being that is the rivalry between Sheriff Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen).

While Buzz is obviously the cooler toy, you feel for Woody because he’s being replaced. You root for him, despite the fact that he does some pretty despicable things. This is also, in part, because of his cutting wit, which makes both kids and adults laugh (and, for the record, he’s always been my favorite). But, at the same time, Buzz is a very sympathetic character; he’s coming to grips with the fact that he’s not a real space ranger and that he’s “not a flying toy.” So it’s really rewarding to watch the two become friends by the end and to see Andy (John Morris) find a place in his heart for both.

Best Moment: There are a lot of moments in this movie to pick from, such as the birthday scene when the toys spy on the party, the fight scene between Buzz and Woody at the gas station, and Woody carrying out his master plan to save Buzz (this last one is probably a close second for me). However, my favorite moment is likely the final chase sequence and Buzz and Woody’s subsequent flight in the skies. Not only is it thrilling, in it Buzz gets his moment in the sun thanks to the rocket strapped to his back. It might be a little far-fetched, but hey, it’s a cartoon. It’s the ultimate culmination of everything that had come before and watching Buzz and Woody soar still gives me chills to this day.

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