Movie Marathon: Toy Story

1. Toy Story - First of all, I can't believe that this movie came out over 20 years ago?! How is that possible?! Second of all, I've watched all of these films before and have to admit - I'm not the biggest fan of them. They are good movies, for sure, but the way some people rave about them is mind-boggling to me. But, I decided to rewatch them all before I watch the one released this year (I will definitely wait for it to stream) because I only really remember a few scenes from each and they all kind of blend together. And maybe I'll have a change of heart on them?? But the answer to that is a solid NOPE. They are all 3 star movies (which means good!), but I did rate the 3rd one slightly higher with this rewatch (it's definitely the best one). My biggest problem is honestly that I just don't like the animation style - this is Pixar's first film and the first to use this CGI animation style and I hated it then and I still hate it. My second issue is that I find the whole idea of your toys coming to life a bit creepy and a bit depressing, and there's just no good outcome. Each film kind of does the same thing with the kid getting a new toy, or outgrowing a toy, or a toy accidentally being thrown away and even though each film "resolves" the issue - it's just going to keep happening because unless they are *actually* put through an incinerator they will live forever! It's all very dark. BUT, I do think overall it's a cute movie and there's some funny, clever dialogue that works for adults and children. I didn't actually realize that Joss Whedon was one of the writers of this first one (which makes sense as to why the dialogue is so good. It's a shame Whedon turned out to be so toxic - I do wish people spoke up sooner though. He could have been stopped so much earlier in his career). The voice casting is obviously really strong too. Also, the Randy  Newman song "You've Got a Friend in Me" is a very cute song, but it gets so grating. But the rest of the Randy Newman songs are all indistinguishable - they all sound the same and by the end of this marathon I never want to hear his voice EVER again. On a random sidenote - I find it HILARIOUS that Sid looks so much like Will Poulter - so much so that people have actually asked him if he was the inspiration for it (he was TWO when this was released! LOL). 

2. Toy Story 2 - This is the one that I remembered the least - I'm actually not positive that I watched it (but with a release of 1999, I most surely did - I saw EVERY movie during that time period. I went to the movie theater like 3 times a week and if I didn't see it at the theater I rented it at Blockbuster). I realize that it's definitely the one that I thought I would like the least - it's too Woody centric (and I think Woody is probably the worst character? He's so narcissistic and needy!), and they introduce Jessie, who is also extremely annoying (I heard she has a big role in the new one? Dear God, I hope not!). The whole plot is a bit stupid, but there are a few scenes that are EXCELLENT - and that's why I still rate it 3 stars. First, I love that Barbie gets more love in this. Second, OMG the Jurassic Park reference got me GOOD. I had to rewind it because it's so perfect. And the fake bloopers at the end is absolutely brilliant. Otherwise, this is really boring and repetitive. 

3. Toy Story 3 - I remember when this was released and everyone acted like it was the best movie they'd ever seen and that they cried and blah blah blah, and then I watched it and was so indifferent on it and I definitely didn't shed one tiny tear (I know, I know...I'm dead inside). But, I do like it more on this rewatch. I think the biggest mistake is that Andy is too old to be finally dealing with what to do with his toys. I just don't believe that a 17 year old kid still has a toy chest full of his childhood toys (17 year old boys have video games. And porn). And I think it relies a lot on a certain nostalgia factor for young adults remembering their childhood toys and I just never really had that at all (when my mom left my dad she told me I could take one toy with me and I picked my dog to which she said "no way", so then I picked a kitten we had recently rescued and she didn't have the heart to say no again. And that cat lived until he was 20 and was my best friend. I couldn't give a shit about toys. Although I did love my stuffed animals - I had a stuffed Belle (Snoopy's sister) and a stuffed Littlefoot (from The Land Before Time), but I have no idea what happened to them and I couldn't care less.). So I think if you didn't have this "typical" childhood, it's impossible to connect in a way that some seem to. But otherwise, it's definitely a more emotional movie, and has more laugh-out-loud moments than the others. And I think that the incinerator scene is extremely harrowing and intense and one of the best scenes of the entire franchise. 

4. Toy Story 4 - While this one is the worst one, it's still not a bad movie. Like I said - they are all good. Solid kids movies with great lessons, funny moments, and witty dialogue. But the plot is really, really bad. And you know what? The "woke" version of Little Bo Peep is actually one of the worst character switches in film history - it actually makes me livid and is extremely anti-feminist. It's designed to make people think that being "feminine" is a weakness, and so many people fall for it. And Forky??? No thank you! (and it should be Sporky...right??? That's most definitely a spork). And if my non-existent kid found a toy at a carnival, I would turn it in to lost & found??? If you're a mom you know how important specific toys are to children - I'm not a mom and I know that. I think the highlight is probably Keanu Reeves voicing Duke. And I think the villain in this one is the most sympathetic - if you don't feel bad for Gabby Gabby, there might be something wrong with you! 

Ranking: 

Toy Story 3 

Toy Story 

Toy Story 2

Toy Story 4