I watched it with my teenage son. He found it so cool he decided to enrol for a bachelor's degree in computer animation.
Are we talking here of a cartoon movie? Yes, cartoons can be for adults also. Sure, it has lovable characters; it's technically flawless; it's funny and engrossing all the way. But it's the surest way to get the message across, even to adults, as it is said in plain, child's talk. In the case of the toy characters in the movie, it is about the pain of rejection and neglect after the child has outgrown their usefulness. It is also about the prospects of being adored by children for generations by being on display at a toy museum.
The storyline begins when Big Al, the Toy Collector, snatched Woody the toy cowboy from the yard sale. It turned out that Woody was the only missing character from Al's collection of the Roundup Gang, the popular characters of a 50s TV puppet show series. Aside from Woody, the Gang is made up of Stinky Pete the Prospector, Jessie the Cowgirl and Bullseye, Woody's horse. Al is bound to make millions from the sale of the Roundup Gang to a Japanese Toy Museum. Of course, Woody's toy friends led by Buzz Lightyear would have none of it. Buzz went on a rescue mission, together with Mr. Potato Head, Rex the Dinosaur, Hamm the pig, and the ever-loyal Slinky the Dog.
From: Toy Story
Music: Randy Newman
Lyrics: Randy Newman
Performed by: Randy Newman
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
When the road looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
You just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you've got a friend in me
Yeah, you've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
If you've got troubles,
I've got 'em too
There isn't anything
I wouldn't do for you
We stick together
and can see it through
Cause you've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
Some other folks might be
A little bit smarter than I am
Bigger and stronger too
Maybe
But none of them will ever love you
The way I do, it's me and you
Boy, and as the years go by
Our friendship will never die
You're gonna see it's our destiny
The twist in the story came when Woody had a change of heart. But alas, it came too late. Buzz and his other friends have left; and Al the toy collector has come back to bring the Roundup Gang to the airport. And this is where the thrill and non-stop action starts.
Going back to the message of the story, Woody turned philosophical when he changed his mind and decided to go back to Andy, to Buzz, and to the rest of his friends. But why was he tempted in the beginning to join other toys on display in the Japanese toy museum? I guess, like many of us, he wants to be immortal.
What is so attractive in immortality? Why are there different beliefs about the union of body and soul? Why do Buddhists undergo self-denial in order that the soul can have better prospects of reincarnating to a higher being, while epicureans simply take delight in the good life on earth, without thinking of what tomorrow will bring? Why not enjoy the pleasures of a bohemian lifestyle? Why bother about moral and ethical conduct at all?
Why do some scientists embark on a search to prolong life through cryonics, and preserve the human body to be restored again sometime in the distant future? Why the endless search for cure of deadly diseases? Why not let go of Darwin's survival law?
Why do we postpone having a time for ourselves, doing the things we like best until the children have grown up, or have finished college, or have embarked on their first job, or have gotten married? Why do we have to wait for retirement to enjoy the company of our children and old friends? Why are they not there at a time when we need their company?
Why are there people who drive themselves mad to get their names in the newspaper, or their pictures in society page? Why can they not take pleasure in being anonymous, a face in the crowd?
Why should we go on a diet? Why can we not enjoy food - with all the carbohydrates and glorious fat that go with it? Why do we have to exercise? Why can we not slouch in front of the TV all day and enjoy movies like Toy Story 2?
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
The belief in immortality has always seemed cowardly to me. When very young I learned that all things die, and all that we wish of good must be won on this earth or not at all.
~ Anne Smedley ~
Millions long for immortality who do not know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
~ Susan Ertz ~
A friend is someone you can be alone with and have nothing to do and not be able to think of anything to say and be comfortable in the silence.
~ Sheryl Condie ~
Do not save your loving speeches for your friends till they are dead. Do not write them on their tombstones, speak them rather now instead.
~ Anna Cummins ~
All animation pictures shown in this homepage are through the courtesy of Disney, Pixar Animation Studio, and Animation Artist.
I do not have the answers. But I am mortified by what Woody said to Buzz after being rescued by his gangmates, "When friendship with Andy all ends, I'll have old Buzz like you to keep me company for all infinity, and beyond".
True, being a museum piece can give you popularity. But then, visitors will forget you as soon as they turn their backs on you.
Yes, a meaningful relationship can be an answer to your search for meaning in your life. It was, after all, the lack of a relationship that made Stinky Pete to crave for immortality. He confessed to being snubbed by children at the toy store shelf while other toys easily get snapped up. It was this lost opportunity to have a meaningful relationship with a child-owner that drove the rescue team of Buzz Lightyear to thrust him into the sidepocket of a passing backpack at the airport's luggage carousel, next to a Barbie Doll. Surely, he would have a grand time with the child-owner of the backpack and with Barbie, the epitome of the good life. But then, that is another toy story.
Immortality. Why bother? Get a life instead! You'd be surprised. Entering into a meaningful relationship becomes your key to immortality. People will love you more for being a caring person. And they will remember you for this, long after you've left them.
Cheers.
Tsinoy