Toy Story 20th anniversary

[HarryCanyon]

Hard to believe one of the best animated movies of all time has turned 20 and has stood the test of time just like Lion King did.

What are your memories of this movie? anyone saw it when it first came out?

I did when i was 14 as it looked amazing from the trailer, i saw this movie 6 times in theaters and became one of my faves and it blew me away as it was unlike any animated movie i seen and seen them all.

[Kyle]

I saw it when I was 7 or 8, more than anything I remember being memorized by the CG in the early trailers, because obviously there had never been anything like it before that. No one born more than 4 years after I was will know how mind blowing it was making the transition from hand drawn and stop motion to full on CG like that.

When I first got the VHS I must have watched it 3 times every day for at least a month.

[Sotiris]

My first memory of Toy Story was watching a trailer on TV when I was a kid. My first thought was that it looked like crap! I found it really ugly-looking. I didn't know it was computer animation but I knew I didn't like it. It was nothing like the beautiful animation of the Disney movies I had on VHS. In retrospect, I'm surprised I could tell the difference so young (I've read articles that supposedly kids nowadays can't tell the difference between 2D and CG animation). My parents actually wanted to take me to see it in theaters but I told them I wanted to go see Pocahontas instead which I thought looked amazing. A few years later I rented it on VHS and while I liked the story I was still left unimpressed by the visuals. I guess some things never change.

[DisneyFan09]

My first memory of Toy Story was watching a trailer on TV when I was a kid. My first thought was that it looked like crap! I found it really ugly-looking. I didn't know it was computer animation but I knew I didn't like it.

Really? Hahahaha. How old were you when it was released?

It was nothing like the beautiful animation of the Disney movies I had on VHS.

Indeed! While not slamming CGI animation entirely, the animation in "Toy Story" is nothing compared to the beautiful animation of the Disney movies. Though "Toy Story" was probably a rare time when Pixar actually came up with good character designs.

In retrospect, I'm surprised I could tell the difference so young (I've read articles that supposedly kids nowadays can't tell the difference between 2D and CG animation).

Really?? Honestly? Even I could tell the difference between hand drawn and other types of animation when I was younger, despite that I wasn't a particularly bright kid.

My parents actually wanted to take me see this in theaters but I told them I wanted to go see Pocahontas instead which I thought looked amazing. A few years later I rented it on VHS and while I liked the story I was still left unimpressed by the visuals. I guess some things never change.

"Pocahontas" is indeed amazing, though it may seem irrelevant and unfair to compare it to "Toy Story". Though they've always been compared, they're both truly different movies. "Pocahontas" is a grave and historical epic, while "Toy Story" is just fun popcorn entertainment. But due to "Pocahontas" tone and nature, it certainly qualifies more to be labeled as a masterpiece, despite it's problematic flaws.

If I'm not mistaking, I remember seeing the full trailer for "Toy Story" when I saw "Pocahontas" second time theatrically. I didn't care for it, though it was hard to miss the hype. I saw "Toy Story" theatrically in the spring of 1996, when I was eleven years old. I liked it, but I wasn't enamored by it as I was with Disney's catalog. But one thing for sure; "Toy Story" is superior to it's overrated sequels. It's a fun and enjoyable film, indeed.

[rodis]

I was 11 so I remember it vividly. They showed the "to infinity and beyond" scene in Andy's room on TV a few times and I wasn't quite sure what I was seeing, I just knew it was beautiful and "like nothing we'd ever seen" and that it's Disney's. I went to see it in theaters of course and later had my parents buy me the VHS as with all Disney movies. I must say it was one of my least played VHS cassettes, same with "A Bug's Life". I could never watch them as much as I did the traditionally animated classics. A major part of it is because visually it left me cold and felt a little boring without songs.

I've learned to appreciate CGI over the years and can enjoy it today much more. I think TS2&3 are even better movies

[Disney's Divinity]

I remember seeing it in theaters with my mother, sister, aunt, and cousin, and we sat in the front row. I don't have much memory beyond that, except that I liked it--which is probably why it's one of the few Pixar properties I like. My mom bought the VHS and I enjoyed the short that plays before almost more than the movie itself.

Btw, we also saw Pocahontas in theaters, and I enjoyed that one, too. Of course, when you're a child it's hard not to enjoy anything really, since there's so much you don't understand--The Lion King and Hercules are the only films I reacted to strongly in theaters (if we saw TLM and B&tB in theaters, I was too young to remember them). I believe Tarzan was the last Disney film we went to theaters for.

[Mooky]

My first exposure to Toy Story was through commercials on Cartoon Network in late 1995/early 1996. I don't think I even registered it as a Disney movie, because it looked different to what I was used to from Disney. However, it intrigued me visually and there was a kind of a sense of awe to it, but I wasn't really enthralled by it.

Some time later, I got the official comic book adaptation (basically, movie stills with speech bubbles), told my friend from Italy about it, and she sent me a VHS tape of the movie in late 1996 as a gift -- so I actually saw TS in Italian first. I liked the movie enough to watch it several times afterwards, but I found it kind of gets stale with each subsequent viewing. Computer graphics were fun to watch, but they didn't make my jaw drop -- to me it was just another animated movie, and I was more interested in the story and the feelings it evoked anyway. Then the sequel came out and I loved every single second of it and I still think TS2 is the pinnacle of the entire franchise.

Today, I still find TS kind of underwhelming story-wise, but not as tiresome as before, but the visuals haven't aged well at all, IMO. It's painful to watch certain scenes because they look so clunky and some of the characters' movements make me cringe. However, I can't deny the landmark status of the movie and its place in history, even though I think both sequels did a much better job from the storytelling point of view.

[Escapay]

ABC announced this a couple weeks ago, but for anyone interested in seeing how network television intends on celebrating this milestone:

• THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10
  
  "Toy Story 20th Anniversary Special" – ABC will air a tribute to the Pixar Animation Studios film that ushered in a new era of computer generated animation. The special will take a look at how Pixar's early beginnings making short, digitally-animated films lead them to take the bold step of making the first feature length computer animated film, "Toy Story." Producers, animators, technical artists, designers and some of the film's voice talent will discuss making the film and the impact it has had over the years, spawning two sequels, with a new installment, "Toy Story 4," on the way. "Toy Story 20th Anniversary" will be executive produced and directed by Brad Lachman of Brad Lachman Productions in conjunction with Pixar Animation Studios. (8:00-9:00 p.m.)
  
  "Toy Story" – Tim Allen and Tom Hanks provide the voices for two tough toys on a dangerous journey when supercharged playthings come to life, in "Toy Story," the phenomenally popular film that was the first full-length movie to be made entirely with computer animation. Cowboy Woody (Hanks) and spaceman Buzz Lightyear (Allen) are thrown into a scary new World Outside when they go out a window and into a very bad boy's backyard (this kid likes to make toys go BOOM!). They bravely make their way home -- but "home" isn't really there anymore, and their hazardous voyage continues as they follow the family to a new neighborhood. Other star voices in the 1995 Walt Disney Productions triumph include Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head, Jim Varney as Slinkey Dog, John Ratzenberger as Hamm the Pig and Annie Potts as Bo Peep. John Morris is Andy, the toys' owner, Laurie Metcalf is Mrs. Davis, his mother and Erik von Detten is Sid, the rotten kid next door. (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) (Rebroadcast: ABC OAD: 9/28/97)

Albert

[Mickeyfan1990]

Happy 20th birthday to the first CGI film made, Toy Story!

I remember seeing the first trailer for it and I couldn't believe what I saw. I am excited to have seen and be present for the next revolution in animation.

[blackcauldron85]

Toy Story: From Script to Screen
https://youtu.be/2BTQRYzNL-E
(via slashfilm.com)

[Sotiris]

5 Facts About Toy Story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_kVlyOCDa4

[Disney's Divinity]

I'm surprised no one posted about Estelle Harris passing away. The Potato Heads were always the biggest source of comedy in these for me, and now both actors who played them are gone. Harris was usually memorable in anything she played though. Rest in peace.

[Kyle]

Yeah, its sad to hear.

I wonder if they'll ever do a toy story 5, and if so, how will they handle the potatoheads?

I suppose they could deep fake it using something like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AALf9w37COM

[Farerb]

San Francisco Store That Inspired Pixar’s ‘Toy Story’ Is Closing
https://deadline.com/2024/01/san-franci ... 235806764/

[carolinakid]

Citing crime and violence....in San Francisco..... who knew?

[Sotiris]

Celebrate 30 years of friendship & beyond!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCH6SMB4ir8

‘Toy Story’ Turns 30: A Look Back at the Groundbreaking Film with Pixar’s Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, and Jonas Rivera
https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/toy-st ... niversary/

Celebrate 30 Years of Toy Story with the New Levi’s x Toy Story Collection
https://disneyparksblog.com/products/le ... announced/

Oscar-Winning Pixar Animator Pete Docter on 30 Years of ‘Toy Story’
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifes ... 236170265/

"Toy Story" Celebrates 30 Years of Cinematic History with Screening at Academy Museum
https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-en ... my-museum/

How "Toy Story" Changed Animation Forever: 30th Anniversary Reunion at the Academy Museum
https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-en ... my-museum/

Regal Cinemas to Release Commemorative Popcorn Bucket for "Toy Story" 30th Anniversary
https://www.laughingplace.com/disney-en ... lectables/

[Sotiris]

Toy Story is returning to theaters for the film's 30th anniversary.


Source: https://x.com/Pixar/status/1945878459877826875

[Kyle]

Neat poster, but not even interested personally. You cant really top the last re release when that came out as a double feature, in stereoscoptic 3d with TS2. Unless you did a tripple feature with the third I suppose. but that's too many movies in a row, even for me. So yea, big downgrade.

Maybe if they actually brought in TS4 level of lighting/rendering I would bite. But we know that isn't happening.

[UmbrellaFish]

Maybe if they actually brought in TS4 level of lighting/rendering I would bite. But we know that isn't happening.

Is that something you'd be interested in? I think I tend to see films like Toy Story as historical documents in a way— so part of me feels hesitant about altering them, even if the newer rendering styles like in TS4 are stunning.

[Kyle]

Absolutely. As always with these things, the original ain't going away, this would just be a new way to experience a classic. And for me these days, I find the first one isn't holding up like it used to on a technical level. Ts2 is the worst I want to see the franchise look. Ts4 nailed the look I want to bring all of them up to if I could. It looks so nice, I just want to reach out a touch all the materials. The original will always have a place in my heart, it started it all, but we've come so far in every way, I just want it to match the later ones.