Toy Story Transition
Toy Story has been a part of most of our childhoods; we grew up along with the characters, we aged like Andy, and we left behind our toys (or at least most of us).
Most of us were not even able to watch all available Toy Story movies due to other endeavours –– just not part of our priorities anymore.
But for those who actually spent their time indulging in the recent misadventures of our mischievous toys, you would be able to see the difference in each movie.
From animation, audio, to the personalities of each character, we can see that they also grew up – they improved along with us.
Beginning of an Adventure
***Photo by IMDB on Walt Disney Pictures
Looking back on the first Toy Story, we witnessed the dawn of computer-generated imagery (CGI) which was a fresh take on animation. This marked the beginning of a journey that impacted most of our childhood – from expecting your toys to move and having nightmares about creepy lurking toys.
Transitioning and Improvements
Over the years, the franchise has produced four films in which we can see how the toys travel from one place to another.
Due to the toys’ owner, Andy, growing up, he decided to donate his toys which caused the separation of some of the gang. But Andy was not the only one who grew up.
As years pass by, the animation, art, and cinematography of the movies continue to develop.
If you take time to zoom into each character in their latest team Toy Story 4, you can actually see signs of aging that were carefully placed by the animators. This adds realism through the use of meticulous details.
***A snippet of the Toy Story 4 poster zoomed in to Buzz’s decals showing scuffs. Photo taken by Buzzfeed.
The animation and cinematography aren’t the only ones that improved but it’s animation staff as well. Before the creation of Toy Story, Pixar only had less than 20 employees, but now they have 1,247.
"Over the years, we've improved. The tools are better, and I think we've reached a point where they're much more attractive and less strange,"
This is said Polly, who worked for Pixar since 1993.
***Animator Pete Docter at work on Toy Story Courtesy Deborah Coleman / Pixar
Furthermore, the large amount of workforce made it possible to research better camera angles, lighting, and accurate movement of matter which improves the visuals. From the pictures below, Bo Peep, who is one of the original characters in the first movie, reappeared with a stunning and upscale appearance. The ceramic material that showcases a glossy appearance through the reflection of light made the scenes well-defined and smoother compared to the original movie.
***Photo taken and edited by Insider comparing Bo Peep from the first and fourth iteration
1995
2019
Awards Received
Toy Story (1995)
Academy Special Achievement Award (1996)
Annie Awards Best Animated Feature
Golden Globes Best Motion Picture – Comedy/Musical
Southeastern Film Critics Association Top Ten Films of 1995
Toy Story 4 (2019)
Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film
Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Animated Feature
Bandung Film Festival for Imported Film
Producers Guild of America Award for Best Animated Motion Picture
ADG Excellence in Production Design Awards- Animated Film
The End of an Era
***Photo from Disney/Pixar
After the recent adventure of our favourite gang, Woody decided to stay with Bo Peep and leave the rest of the gang.
A lot of fans didn’t like this turn of events because of the separation between Woody and Buzz.
But that’s just how life is, we grow up, meet new people, and leave our old friends. As we grow up, we realise that although friendship is essential, we must learn to let go and move forward.
Toy Story 4 can be depicted as the transition of the times, the passing of the torch if you may.
Andy gave away his toys and Woody left his friends to take on a new adventure. We also have grown up and found something new and forgotten something old.
Our childhood has ended and it’s time to let the new generation pave their own path.
Although this might be the end of our childhood, this is also the beginning of a much more important phase of our lives which we must face, just like how the Toy Story franchise ––even without Woody–– is still on its way to producing the next part of their story.
But wherever the story might go, we’d still be there watching over it.
Here’s to our infinity which will most certainly reach beyond.
References:
Ebert, R. (n.d.). Toy Story movie review & film summary (1995) | Roger Ebert. © Copyright 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2021, from https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/toy-story-1995
Global Times. (2019, June 5). Pixar’s ‘Toy Story’ franchise shows how far the studio has come. https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1153196.shtml
Rackham, C., & Watson, S. (2020, September 18). 48 awesome facts about "Toy Story 4" you probably didn't know. https://www.buzzfeed.com/caseyrackham/toy-story-4-facts-secrets.
Snetiker, M. (2019, June 24). What the ending of Toy Story 4 means for the franchise. EW.Com. https://ew.com/movies/2019/06/21/toy-story-4-ending-explained/
Toy Story. (n.d.). IMDb. Retrieved May 16, 2021, from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114709/awards
Toy Story (1995). (1995, November 22). IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114709/
Zorthian, J. (2015, November 19). How Toy Story Changed Movie History. Time. https://time.com/4118006/20-years-toy-story-pixar/
