The first feature-length CGI movie is not a disappointment

Rating: Null/10 (26 June 2019)

While in general I tend to go for the classic animation style as opposed to all the fancy CGI stuff that goes on nowadays, you have to admit: These Disney-Pixar features are really quite entertaining. While this 3-d animation style has been overused a lot over the past decade, the films are admittedly fun, creative, and suspenseful; they are movies for all ages; and they are, furthermore, among the best and most harmless children's classics to be found today (set aside the upcoming "Frozen II").
"Toy Story" was, from what I gather, Pixar's first film and also the world's first CGI feature length movie. It plays upon an old, used but still timeless concept: that of toys and inanimate objects coming to life whilst the owners are away. In "Toy Story", the main characters are toy cowboy named Woody and toy space ranger Buzz Lightyear. (Call me crazy, but I am not familiar with either and still enjoyed it; you do not need to understand whom the toys are based upon to like it). Woody is the leader of all the toys in Andy's room, where they are played with every day. In their spare time, they come to life to have their own fun, and Woody (being the favorite) enjoys being in charge. Until Buzz shows up on Andy's birthday, and becomes the new favorite with all his fancy gear, 'lasers' and such. The two are soon in competition, which results in both ending up outside their house where a dangerous and ridiculously crazy adventure awaits.
That being the basic synopsis, you can tell that in terms of storyline the movie is very simplistic. Yet it doesn't need a complex and overblown plot to be fun (although the ridiculously absurd ending is admittedly overdone) and in terms of intrigue and comedy it does a pretty good job. The characters are easy to sympathize with (how many of us have felt rejected over someone else?) and the parts are well-played. Woody and Buzz both work quite well in character--even if Woody is a completely self-centered jerk--and the minor parts are also nicely done. (As pointed out by other reviewers, the supporting cast of toys mostly deliver the comedy, although Woody's "Mr. Light-Beer" is a definite winner). For the most part, it is entirely child-friendly, although I can imagine that many kids would be a little frightened by Sid--who is more like Satan-as-a-mad-doctor in human form than a neighborhood kid. (Also, what kind of parents lets their kid play with fireworks?). As I said before, the crazy ending is as overblown as it gets, but that's part of what makes it memorable.
In general, a fun film for families or otherwise, and definitely a classic when it comes to CGI animation. Only about an hour and a half and it does not pad itself out and stays within the appropriate run-time bounds. A nice update on the 'living toys' motif.