Disney/ Pixar’s Toy Story (1995) +
Toy Story 2 (1999/Blu-ray w/DVD)
Picture:
A Sound: A Extras: B+ Films: A/A-
There are
some stories that are so overwhelmingly creative that you sit back in awe as
the tale unfolds; Toy Story is one of those tales. Now, I slightly prefer Toy Story over Toy Story 2
as a single entity, but the stories blend so seamlessly that it is a mere
preference issue. With Toy Story 3 on the horizon it is no
shock that we have found the arrival of the now classic tales on Blu-ray; a
format that Pixar creations were seemingly destined for. With every new Pixar feature film on Blu-ray
I am absolutely amazed, they are the best of the best; not only gripping in
content, but the audio/visual experience is equally astonishing. Toy
Story was the breakout moment for CGI animation, while Disney had well
established hand-drawn animated features for decades, its partnership with
Pixar exemplified that there is always more out there. The plot of the Toy Story films are as captivating as any feature film out there;
showing that CG animation was a force to be reckoned with.
-The
Plot-
Toy Story
The story
that started it all for Pixar (feature film wise at least) quickly establishes
a base of characters that range from classic toys to completely new
creations. As the story goes, when kids
are away the toys shall play. Toy Story answers the question that we
all at some point imagined, that yes toys do come to life when we aren’t
looking. The toys in this tale are owned
by a good hearted boy named Andy, who loves all his toys but seems to hold some
special affection for his cowboy doll Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks). A wrench is thrown into the works for Woody,
however, when a flashy Spaceman named Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen) to
Andy for his Birthday. Woody is suddenly
filled with jealousy as he worries for his place in Andy’s world now that a new
toy is in town. Buzz, however, is
different than the other toys (who he quickly impresses) as he is somewhat
delusional in thinking that he is a real space hero, rather than a toy for
children to love. The story then
launches on an adventure in which Woody has mixed emotions on ousting Buzz or
making a new friend. Buzz may be
delusional, but Woody’s morals get the best of him as he goes from kicking Buzz
to the curb to saving his helmet from the brink of destruction.
Toy Story 2
With the
characters of the Toy Story universe
well established, the second chapter got us up to speed on the life of Andy’s
toys while at the same time introducing some new characters. Woody (once again voiced by Tom Hanks) is
accidentally sold (taken) at a yard sale and finds himself in the hands of a
toy collector. The toy collector plans
on selling Woody to an overseas buyer, willing to pay the big bucks, for a
complete Woody’s Roundup collection.
Apparently Woody (his character) had a quite famous TV series back in
the day and his merchandise is now worth quite a bit. Woody faces the reality that one day Andy
will grow up and stop playing (“loving”) him; so should he spend the rest of
his days in pristine, museum quality plastic or gamble with Andy’s love? We are introduced to the rest of Woody’s crew
in the form of a horse named Bull’s-eye, a boisterous cowgirl named Jessie
(voiced by Joan Cusack) and a scruffy old miner named Stinky Pete (voiced by
Kelsey Grammer). While Woody struggles
with his future the toys back at Andy’s place are on a mission to rescue their
missing comrade. It will not be an easy
journey, but Buzz (voiced by Tim Allen once again) as well as the rest of the
crew are up to the task. The question is
will Woody be willing to go once they find him?
- My
Thoughts-
WOW! It
is amazing to think how quickly Pixar established a cavalcade of classic
characters. There are those shining
moments in cinematic history and Toy
Story is now one of them. Pixar has
managed to impress us time and time again with their overwhelmingly powerful,
yet simple tales. The reason the stories
stick with us is because the characters are astounding well rounded and
heartwarming; engraining themselves in our memory. From Buzz and Woody to Slinky the Dog we are
mesmerized by the Pixar creations; not only for their beautiful look, but
because they leap from the screen with life.
Toy Story (as well as its sequel)
established that CG animation could create new and fantastic worlds full of
emotion, soul and diversity. Disney had
long shown that the joys of animation were not limited to an audience of
children, but that adults across the board would be captivated by their
creativity; Pixar has now taken that premise to the next level.
With each
passing film Pixar is perfecting the craft that Toy Story established. Even
the differences in style/technique between Toy
Story and Toy Story 2 are jaw
dropping; as we see first hand the leaps in quality the format can make in just
a few short years.
Pixar
will continue to deliver amazing stories, but we must not forget the toys that
started it all. Without Toy Story there would be no UP or Finding Nemo. If we can make any judgments based on the first two
films, Toy Story 3 will only
heighten the established tale. Snow White has not lost its power and
generations continue to look to the film for inspiration and pleasure; Toy Story has that same epic power and
will remain a classic.
Pixar are
the storytellers of today, spinning tales that will be passed down for
generations.
- The
Technical Features-
Pixar
continues to showcase what Blu-ray was made for, solid picture and sound. Both Toy
Story and Toy Story 2 are
examples of perfection on Blu-ray. The 1080p
image is rich with vivid colors, stunning textures and pristine crispness that
not many other films have delivered on Blu-ray.
Without a doubt (comparing it to more current Pixar) Toy Story slightly shows its age as
certain characters lack the depth and detail, but that does not reflect poorly
on the image quality; even Toy Story 2 (as
previously mentioned) made leaps and bounds over its predecessor and remains
the only computer animated film in cinema history issued in three-strip,
dye-transfer Technicolor prints while the format was revived between 1997 and
2001. Coming from the original final
digital source here, I could not get over the image’s clarity and crispness;
comparing the DVD and Blu-ray side-by-side was an astonishing moment. I thought the DVD had always looked amazing,
but the DVD does not hold a candle to the firestorm of bright colors, framing
blacks and rich textures of the Blu-ray for Toy Story and Toy Story 2. The sound is just as impressive with the
DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround presentation bringing the story to life. The soundscape is huge and immersive as every
speaker is utilized. Directionality is
perfect and ambient noises are heard throughout. The dialogue could not be any cleaner and
soundtrack is perfectly prioritized, never being overwhelming, but managing to
compliment the action. Pixar on Blu-ray
is becoming synonymous with perfection.
- The
Extra Features-
Toy Story
·
Sneak
Peek at Toy Story 3 “The Story” (HD)
·
Audio
Commentary (HD)
o
An
insightful look at the film with cast and crew.
The feature is overflowing with love and enthusiasm.
·
Black
Friday: The Toy Story You Never Saw (HD)
o
WOW!
This just goes to show how the film could have went all wrong, but how at the
last minute the team swooped in the make things right.
·
Paths
To Pixar: The Artists (HD)
·
Buzz
Lightyear Mission Logs: Blast Off (HD)
o
A
few characters from the film discuss Buzz’s time on the International Space
Station.
·
3
Animated Studio Stories (HD)
o
Some
shorts that reflect the happenings of the Pixar crew during the films’
creation.
·
Buzz
Takes Manhattan
(HD)
o
Lasseter
discusses (very briefly) the Buzz float in the Macy’s parade.
·
Making
Toy Story (SD)
·
Filmmakers
Reflect (SD)
·
Deleted
Scenes and Design Galleries (SD)
·
The
Legacy of Toy Story (SD)
·
Design
(SD)
o
This
as well as the special features list below delve into the different aspects of
the film that brought it to life and how not one element could exist without
the other. Very insightful and lengthy.
·
Story
(SD)
·
Production
(SD)
·
Music
and Sound (SD)
·
Publicity
(SD)
Toy Story 2
- Audio Commentary (HD)
- Just as lively as the Toy Story commentary, as Lasseter
attempts to courageously describes the odds which were against him, while
trying to keep his crew inspired.
- Sneak Peek at Toy Story 3
“The Characters” (HD)
- 3 Animated Studio Stories
(HD)
- 3 new animated stories (like
those found on the Toy Story
Blu-ray) that reflect the trials and tribulations of the Pixar crew.
- Buzz Lightyear Mission Logs
(HD)
- The second installment of
the Space Station adventure Buzz took part in
- Paths to Pixar: Technical
Artists (HD)
- Pixar’s Zoetrope (HD)
- Describes the Zoetrope
attraction as the Disney theme parks.
- Celebrating our friend Joe
Ranft (HD)
- A fitting tribute to a man
who contributed time and time again to the Pixar creative process. He was a voice actor, artist and
overall powerful entity to the team.
He sadly passed away in a 2005 car accident, but is graciously
remembered here.
- Making of Toy Story 2 (SD)
- John Lasseter Profile (SD)
- Cast of Characters (SD)
- Toy Box (SD)
- A host of ‘snip-its’ of Toy Story 2 moments are found
here including Tom Hanks and Tim Allen fighting over who is the cooler
toy, as well as the ‘staged outtake’ segments that ran during the
original credits. Certainly a gem
to watch.
- Deleted Scenes (SD)
- A short 4-minute segment of
unfinished scenes that don’t add much to the film.
- Design (SD)
- Falling in line with the
features introduced on the Toy
Story Blu-ray, those found here explore in ~ 15-25 minute segments
the workings of creating a classic.
- Production (SD)
- Music & Sound (SD)
- Publicity (SD)
** Note:
Not all these features are available on the DVD release and can only be found
on the Blu-ray
I am
constantly amazed at the quality Pixar delivers. Classic stories with creatively captivating
animation. Buzz may have originated the
saying, but Pixar continues to go to infinity and beyond.
- Michael P. Dougherty II
