Few film franchises about stories of toys are as celebrated as “Toy Story”. Following the 1990’s, Toy Story has become a phenomenon. With its colourful characters, awe-inspiring animation and engrossing storytelling, the series accomplished a huge following. Arguably, the strength of the series has always been its abilities to appeal to both kids and adults alike. It remains one of those rare animated franchises that audiences of all ages enjoy. Listed below are my picks for best movies in a series that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Toy Story 3
Stories about toys have shaped my identity. As far as I remember, I’ve always enjoyed playing with toys that I’ve grown up to treasure. I recall the joy that I felt visiting the store to buy a toy as a young boy. My brother and I loved playing with toys that became companions. However, my fascination with toys didn’t last forever. After I reached an age of maturity, I had no choice but to throw away beloved toys I had grown to cherish in the garbage. When the day came to throw away toys with which I loved to play, I was so heartbroken I ran out of words to say. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the roles toys play shaping children’s identity as powerfully as “Toy Story 3”. Ever since its release in 2010, Pixar’s film has stood the test of time as an awe-inspiring animated classic. Packed with astonishing animation, sharp storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best animated movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible vocal performance from Tom Hanks, who gave a talking toy humanity. Unlike previous films in the franchise, “Toy Story 3” stands out because of its emotion. It captures the emotional attachment children form with toys that they treasure. For instance, the final scene in which Andy bids emotional farewell to his toys after leaving them at Bonnie’s house is one of the greatest moments of the franchise. Watching Andy bidding goodbyes to Woody brought back sad memories of my abandonment of toys I regarded highly. Ultimately, what makes “Toy Story 3” the greatest Toy Story movie is its message. The film delivers a strong message about the sheer importance of toys that would resonate with everyone. An inspiring work of animated art, it’s an amazing reminder of a franchise I will forever treasure for motivating me to move on years after I was forced to part ways with toys holding a precious place in my heart.
2. Toy Story
Competition causes friendships to fall apart. I remember my friendship with a companion faced disaster when we competed to become the favourite student of a teacher. His jealousy whenever I achieved a higher grade caused our relationship to fade. My tense rivalry with my friend caused out friendship to end in catastrophe. As someone recalling rivalries that caused friendship to end in tragedy, I adored “Toy Story”. Released in 1995, the first Toy Story movie did a great job of introducing the beloved franchise about toys to the world. Packed with awe-inspiring animation, sharp storytelling and phenomenal acting, the first “Toy Story” remains one of the greatest animated movies ever made. It’s a significant film that launched the franchise about talking toys that children treasure. Arguably, the main reason why the first “Toy Story” still holds up as a classic today is its themes. The film pulled off the tricky task of turning toys into relatable characters that anyone could identify with. Through focusing on the competitive rivalry between Woody and Buzz Lightyear, the film created toys about whom audiences could truly care. For instance, the scene in which Woody and Buzz meet in Andy’s bedroom competing for their owner’s affection remains one of the greatest moments of the series. Ultimately, what makes “Toy Story” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Pixar has always excelled at making movies that appeal towards both adults and children alike, and its strengths were clearly evident in “Toy Story”. Not only is the film visually appealing catching the attention of young children, but it delivers a message that adults would be able to relate to as well. The film delivers a profound message about toys which would resonate with everyone. A terrific beginning of a franchise about talking toys facing abandonment that’s terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder about a franchise tackling themes appealing towards both kids and adults that’s worth celebrating.
3. Toy Story 2
It’s always challenging to abandon toys that one regards with affection. Several years ago, I was forced to throw away beloved toys that I loved dearly causing sorrow. After reaching an age of maturity, I had no choice but to throw away toys with which I loved to engage in the garbage. It was heartbreaking to part ways with precious toys that had always held a big place in my heart. Bidding goodbyes to toys that I had grown up to prize brought tears flooding to my eyes. Several years later, I deeply miss toys I had grown up to treasure that I was forced to abandon forever. As someone treasuring fond memories of abandoned toys that I grew up to value, I adored “Toy Story 2”. Released in 1999, John Lasseter’s sequel elevated a franchise about precious toys through exploring themes of abandonment. Sequels rarely live up to the standard set by their predecessors. However, the Toy Story franchise remains one of those rare series where each film improves on the previous one. Unlike the previous film which was mainly lighthearted in tone, the sequel took a darker direction through exploring the emotional themes of toy abandonment. Lasseter took risks by taking the family-friendly series in a dark direction that paid off tremendously. Out of all the movies in the animated franchise, I have always found “Toy Story 2” to be the most emotional. Through focusing on the toy of Jessie who is abandoned by her owner, the sequel showcased heartfelt emotions that the franchise hadn’t witnessed in the past before. For instance, the heartbreaking “When She Loved Me” musical montage in which Jessie recalls her heartwarming life with a previous owner before she was abandoned is one of the greatest moments of the Toy Story franchise. Ultimately, what makes “Toy Story 2” a commemorated sequel is its message. The film delivers a strong message about the consequences of abandonment which would resonate with everyone. A touching portrait of terrifying toy abandonment, it’s a terrific reminder of a beloved franchise that has provided kids meaningful entertainment.
4. Toy Story 4
When it comes to the most surprising films in the Toy Story franchise, it’s worth discussing “Toy Story 4”. When it was first announced that a sequel was in production several years after the release of “Toy Story 4”, many fans questioned whether it was truly necessary. I remember being unsure of what to expect when I first heard that a new Toy Story movie was in production. When I first heard “Toy Story 4” was in production, I had doubts about how it would turn out. “Toy Story 3” seemed like it was the perfect conclusion to the beloved franchise about toys that brought the series to a beautiful ending. That being said, “Toy Story 4” took me by surprise becoming a film that I have grown to adore. Released in 2019, Josh Cooley’s movie did an exceptional job of bringing the beloved franchise about toys to a satisfying conclusion. Unlike previous films in the franchise, what stood out most about “Toy Story 4” was its sharp sense of humour. Arguably the funniest film in the franchise, the movie managed to bring a sense of humour that was missing from previous films in the series. Through the character of Forky, the film captured the humorous nature of toys abandoned by their owners. For instance, the scene in which Woody attempts to stop Forky from throwing himself away remains one of the best moments of the franchise. While “Toy Story 4” is entertaining, it isn’t quite perfect. The film admittedly lacks the magic of the previous films in the franchise, and does feel unnecessary. The movie lacks the timeless quality of the first three Toy Story films which were driven by emotion rather than studio expectations. Nevertheless, it remains a worthy addition to the franchise about toys. As powerful as Forky’s desire to throw himself away, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a franchise that hasn’t lost its abilities to captivate audiences today.
5. Lightyear
Buzz Lightyear is a beloved animated character about whom I’ve grown up to care. Ever since I was a young child, I have always been a huge fan of Buzz Lightyear. My lifelong love for the animated character began in my childhood. I vividly remember fond memories of playing with a Buzz Lightyear action figure that I grew up to treasure. Like Andy, he was always a character that I valued highly. As someone that has always loved Buzz Lightyear, I was excited when the news was announced that a spin-off movie would be made about him. Watching the beloved animated character get his own movie was a prospect I found incredibly exciting. However, when I finally got around to seeing “Lightyear” I was disappointed. Released in 2022, Angus Maclane’s animated movie failed to honour the legacy of a character that’s celebrated. The main problem with “Lightyear” isn’t the movie itself but the tremendous expectations associated with it. The previous films in the “Toy Story” franchise raised the bar incredibly high for animation. “Lightyear” simply couldn’t live up to those high expectations that fans have come to associate with the franchise. The film does feature impressive animation that is worth praising. However, where it fell short is in the storytelling department. Despite its stunning visuals, the film simply couldn’t achieve the commemorated heights of the best movies in the Toy Story franchise. Instead of feeling like a continuation of the Toy Story franchise, it feels like an attempt solely to make money at the box-office. Regardless, it remains an entertaining film worth watching for its celebration of a character. As strong as Buzz Lightyear’s desire to go infinity and beyond, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a franchise with which audiences have developed a bond that I will forever treasure for inspiring me to pursue my dreams of film criticism of which I am fond.
The Film Buff 