Toy Story: Tim Allen and Tom Hanks as Buzz and Woody - Brilliant

I wish I could say I hated this movie just so I could be different from everyone else I know. (I hate to run with the crowd.) However, there is nothing in this movie that I didn't like. Every second of this movie was a pleasure to me and having just watched it on t.v. - the last time was in the theater - I am as impressed as ever.

From the opening song "You've Got a Friend in Me" by Randy Newman where a little boy plays with his toy cowboy to the closing credits, this is a thoroughly enjoyable movie. The story of Toy Story is quite sweet. Every child believes that when they leave the room, their toys come to life. I know I still have my suspicions and I'm an adult. The story here is told from the point of view of the toys who live in Andy's room, especially Woody - a toy cowboy and Andy's favorite (voice by Tom Hanks).

Andy is getting ready to move. Before the move, however, he has a birthday party coming up. The birthday party, of course, means new toys will be joining the old ones. The toys are nervous and send the army soldiers to spy out what is happening and to see if anything is arriving which might replace Woody as Andy's favorite. Everything seems to go well until a new Buzz Light Year (voice by Tim Allen) shows up. Buzz doesn't know he's a toy and thinks he's really a space explorer. He can fly and shoot laser beams as well as several other gimmicky things. The story of Toy Story involves the rivalry between Woody and Buzz Lightyear, Buzz's identity problem, the problems of the move, and a next door neighbor who tortures toys.

The story is charming and well told. Even those friends of mine who don't normally like animation liked this one. The animation is incredibly well done. The detail is extraordinary. Among my favorite effects is the marching of the toy soldiers with their plastic bases.

The acting here is quite good. Tim Allen and Tom Hanks give great performances. Also wonderful here is Don Rickles as Mr. Potatohead (who is constantly losing some part of his anatomy). John Ratzenberger is Andy's piggybank and is basically Cliff Claven of cheers with a slot for putting money in.

Toy Story is great for kids, but there are jokes here for adults, too. There is lots of physical comedy and action for the kids. This movie was a great pleasure to watch. I hope it plays again soon so I can see it one more time.