Toy Story
1995, Pixar
This is it, the CGI film that launched a studio and started a trend that shows no sign of wearing out. Earning Pixar universal praise (100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes), as well as earning ten times its investment, Toy Story remains the gold standard of modern animated storytelling. There's not much more I can say that hasn't already been said.
DKS 12/17/17
GRUMPY OLD FART-O-METER® Rating:
Toy Story 2
1999, Pixar
Defying all odds, Pixar produced a sequel that has earned the same universal acclaim as the original (100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes). Again, there's little else I can add to this legend. Extras include the seminal short, Luxo Jr.
DKS 12/17/17
GRUMPY OLD FART-O-METER® Rating:
Toy Story 3
2010, Pixar/Walt Disney
Verging on miraculous, Pixar's second sequel joins the first two with universal acclaim, and raked in over a billion in ticket sales—the first time ever for an animated film. Although its Rotten Tomatoes score dropped to 99% (gasp!), it was the best-reviewed film of 2010.
DKS 12/17/17
GRUMPY OLD FART-O-METER® Rating:
Toy Story 4
2019, Pixar/Walt Disney
It seemed impossible. Another Toy Story? How could they possibly pull this off without it seeming like a money-grab, milking a franchise for all its worth? Well, they did the impossible, landing as the fourth-best reviewed film of all time on Rotten Tomatoes and raking in another billion-plus. The critics were a bit divided, some having penned bewilderingly harsh reviews, but honestly I tend to think they were miffed that Pixar managed four home runs in a row.
DKS 7/3/20
GRUMPY OLD FART-O-METER® Rating:
Lightyear
2022, Pixar/Walt Disney
It took me a while to come to terms with this film; it divided me as much as it did audiences, evidently. The concept, I believe, is sound: make a film that inspired a toy. The first problem we encounter, however, is that of style: given when it would have been released in the canon of the franchise (1995), it just doesn't work. They could have had so much fun with this: imagine a deliciously cheesy sci-fi along the lines of, say, Stargate. Even better: how about a made-for-TV film? Even cheesier! My mind boggles at all of the missed opportunities—stilted dialog, silly costumes and matte lines, oh my!
Instead, we have a slick 21st Century-style film in every respect. Making matters worse is certain content: while I'll never chant "Woke!" (a pointless, annoying cultural attitude if ever there was one), I do think the mixed-race same-sex relationship is out of place: it's simply far too modern for the film's presumed temporal origin. Imagine instead: Buzz and his commander fall in love, and she gives birth during one of his time-warping missions... we watch the offspring grow up without dad... and then his final mission brings him face-to-face with his own grandchild. How much more poignant would that be? Ah well, more missed opportunities.
Much gnashing of teeth erupted over Tim Allen being replaced by Chris Evans to voice Buzz. I suspect this little brouhaha was fabricated by hardcore Toy Story fans who got their panties in a knot. People, get a life! The casting choice had exactly zero impact on me; I thought Evans did a fine job. After all: Buzz is supposed to be a "live action" hero (ironically animated) who inspires a toy. So what if the fictitious toy company couldn't get the fictitious actor who played the fictitious part in the fictitious movie to voice the fictitious toy? Indeed, this whole topic is ripe for satire: how the film industry places greater emphasis on the merchandising opportunities of a film versus its storytelling value. In fact, the film could have been done as if it was appearing on television, complete with advertisements for film-based products. Ah well, even more missed opportunities.
A critical ding the film frequently suffered is that it lacks the emotional depth of a typical Pixar film. But this begs the question: must an animated feature always be deep and meaningful in order to be considered successful? How about something that's just plain fun and exciting? As it happens, that's precisely the director's stated purpose in making this film, and I applaud his candor, as well as his effort. Trouble is, Lightyear doesn't quite succeed at being either deep and meaningful or fun and exciting.
DKS 3/10/23
GRUMPY OLD FART-O-METER® Rating:
