A marvellous feat of CGI

Rating: 8/10 (24 November 2008)

Toy Story is a brilliant feat in the world of animated film, and was successful at the box office and well received by critics. The films success spawned a sequel in 1999 and a second sequel is to be released in 2010.
The story is about the cowboy doll Woody who is the favourite toy of a boy named Andy. Woody and the rest of Andy's toys all live together in Andy's bedroom, but Woody is the only one who is allowed to sleep in Andy's bed. Woody's position feels threatened when Andy receives a new action figure, an astronaut Buzz Lightyear, for his birthday. Because of Buzz Lightyear's fancy special features, Buzz replaces Woody as 'favourite toy'. Woody grows more and more jealous as the other toys accept Buzz into their community, and see him as some kind of leader because of his special features. When Andy decides to take Buzz on a family outing and not Woody, Woody feels offended. For revenge, Woody tries to trap Buzz behind a desk so that Andy will be forced to take Woody instead. However, Woody accidentally knocks Buzz out of the window, and the other toys see this as an attempt to murder Buzz. Woody is ostracised by the other toys. Woody does get taken on the family outing with Andy but unbeknownst to him, Buzz hops aboard the car as it leaves. During the outing, Buzz and Woody both become separated from Andy, who accidentally leaves them behind when he goes back home. Buzz and Woody must put aside their differences and work together if there is any chance of getting back home.
The animation of Toy Story is very impressive. The animators use very effective cinematic techniques that make you feel as though you are watching a live-action film rather than an animation. Toy Story was ground-breaking as this level of entirely CGI animation in a film had never been done before, and CGI in films had only started being used widely a few years earlier. The characters of Toy Story act and move like real people, and give the impression of having realistic weight. The animators get the effect of light with precision, and the animation barely feels out dated at all; modern animation do not necessarily seem any more advanced than this film. Unlike cartoons such as The Simpsons, the characters of Toy Story are based on human features. They move about as though they have the same body parts as humans.
Toy Story is a brilliant film in my opinion. It works on many levels so it can appeal to all people aged between 3 and 90. As far as its animation, it was absolutely brilliant for its time, and, as I said earlier, holds up very well today. The story is sharp and entertaining, full of hilarity, from toilet humour to dry wit; anyone will be able to find something funny about this film. The characters are also very lovable and the viewer feels attached to them in the first few minutes. I would definitely give this film a good four stars out of five. This film will surely last to infinityÂ…and BEYOND!