Later, however, when he pulls the mutant toys together and lays out a very linear, step-by-step strategy to save Buzz from Sid, his Male approach is very effective. He also fails to consider how his actions will tip the delicate balance of public opinion against him. His very linear approach is most dramatically demonstrated when he thinks, “Hmm, if I cause Buzz to disappear behind the desk, Andy will have to pick me to go to Pizza Planet, and I’ll win his favor back.” He then attempts a very simple cause-and-effect operation to use RC Car to push Buzz off the desk, but fails to see the relationships among the objects on the desk that will make his plan go awry.
Woody is almost entirely focused on the effects he wants to achieve and how to directly cause them “balance,” “surplus,” and “deficiency” rarely enter his considerations. He is loath to check his attitudes at the door, and that often gets him in trouble. He calls meetings, plots strategies, mobilizes other toys, and approaches all problems by jumping into the fray, even if it means starting an unpleasant confrontation. Woody is a very active, take-charge kind of cowboy. He needs to stop measuring himself in terms of “playtime.” If he would stop all these things, he could relax and accept a new state of affairs which is out of his control anyway. He needs to stop being insecure, competitive, and jealous. Woody needs to stop feeling entitled to sole possession of the “spot” on Andy’s bed. His presence forces Woody to confront his personal issues, and that impact remains constant until Woody’s own “change” resolves the inequity between them. From the experience of his separation from Andy, Woody comes to believe his own words, “It doesn’t matter how much we’re played with-what matters is that we’re here for Andy when he needs us.” In the final scene we see Woody loosened up and dancing, satisfied to be part of the group rather than its leader he’s more comfortable with himself, more chummy to Buzz, and more accessible to Bo Peep’s advances.Ī NOTE ABOUT OBSTACLE CHARACTER: Even though Buzz Lightyear appears to make a change (when he comes to see himself as Andy’s Toy rather than a Space Ranger), in terms of his IMPACT upon Woody and the others, he is a Steadfast Obstacle Character. At the moment of greatest crisis (right before the rocket explodes), Woody lets someone else be in charge for once, allowing himself to be literally taken under Buzz’s wings.
Woody’s resolve to maintain his status as “Andy’s Favorite Toy” is unraveled throughout the course of the story, until by the end he concedes that status to Buzz. 1.8 of the 12 essential questions Change Main Character Resolve Here's what I noticed as I rewatched Toy Story as an adult.
But the Toy Story movies are more than just movies about toys - like most Pixar movies, the film meant for kids also contains themes about jealousy, rivalries, and insecurities about love - and adults can totally relate to that. The first film in the beloved franchise introduces the toys we've come to know and love: Woody the cowboy, Buzz Lightyear the intergalactic space man, T-Rex, Little Bow Beep, and so many more.
Spoiler alert: It totally does and it made me realize just how far Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the gang have come since we first met them in the '90s.įor those who need a refresher, Toy Story is the first Disney Pixar movie and it follows the adventures of a boy named Andy's beloved toys. In honor of the Disney Pixar film's 20th anniversary, I decided it was time for me to rewatch Toy Story as an adult and see if the movie that started it all still tugs at those heart strings. I think we all thought/hoped that could happen when we were kids. When I first saw Toy Story in 1995, I was completely mystified at the thought of toys coming to life when a kid like myself left the room.