The journey of Buzz (Tim Allen), Woody (Tom Hanks), and the rest of the toy gang has come to an end. Well…until Pixar ends up releasing the fifth entry that was confirmed by Bob Iger in early 2023. The iconic franchise snuck its way into the hearts of millions in 1995 and is the main reason Pixar has become such a huge juggernaut when it comes to animation.
The first-ever film to showcase 3D animation was a true joy to watch because of its awe-inspiring graphics, but the incredible story that was told from the perspective of talking toys is the main factor. The franchise is considered one of the best series ever made. None of the films on rotten tomatoes has below a 97% score from critics. Each entry has garnered an Oscar nomination with Toy Story 3 and Toy Story 4 winning Best Animated Feature. With all the accolades the series has, which entry is the best out of all of them?
Toy Story 4
Even though TS3 was pushing the boundaries of the series, Toy Story 2 didn’t have a definite conclusion. TS3 certainly did. Still, despite this being a clear cash grab, Pixar never fails to impress when it comes to ringing out stories of Woody, Buzz, and the gang. TS4 is still a really good entry that saw the return of Bo Peep.
It also had some fun new characters such as Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves) and Forky (Tony Hale). TS3 was the story of Andy growing up and moving into adulthood. TS4 nicely focused on Woody’s story with a sweet payoff that saw him separate from the gang. Unfortunately, TS4 never shakes off the feeling that it’s nothing more than a cash grab. Plus, it’s extremely disappointing that Buzz and most of the supporting characters take a backseat to Woody’s story. TS4 is a proper ending for Woody, but it just never reaches the heights the previous three films achieved.
Toy Story 2
TS2 was an excellent follow-up that introduced new characters and expanded the Toy Story universe. Focusing on the backstory of Woody is a great concept that allows us to dig deeper into the character itself. It’s incredible how Pixar can tackle real-world situations through the life span of toys. The jokes and one-liners were hilarious and Stinky Pete (Kelsey Grammar) and Al McWhiggin (Wayne Knight) make for fun villains.
Jessie the Cowboy (Joan Cusack) stands out the best and her story is bittersweet. The series does an excellent job of documenting that these toys just want to be loved. Woody wanting to feel appreciated again and Jessie finding a family made for a profound film where that easily made us laugh and cry throughout its runtime.
Toy Story
The classic that started it all. It could be argued that Sid (Erik Von Detten) was the best villain the franchise has ever had. The utter disrespect he has for his toys instantly makes you want them to get revenge. However, the real star is the saga between Buzz and Woody. The latter’s clear jealousy does make him unlikeable in the beginning, though the character isn’t without his charms.
Buzz battling his own conflict of being just a toy was insightful. The scene of him trying to fly out of Sid’s house is one of the most memorable moments in cinema history. The heartbreak and sadness the filmmaker managed to get out of his story organically is a true masterclass of Pixar’s talent behind the camera. Toy Story is nearly flawless in every way. From the great introduction of Buzz and supporting characters; to the heartwarming story about love and acceptance. An excellent start to a series that rarely dipped below really good.
Toy Story 3
A perfect film from beginning to end. That heart-racing moment of the toys in the compactor being saved seconds before meeting their doom had my audiences crying and clapping when I first watched TS3 in theaters. To watch the gang struggle with Andy growing up was an incredible journey filled with laughs and tears.
Barbie and Ken (Michael Keaton) were great here. So was Lotso (Ned Beatty); Pixar does an excellent job of giving each of their characters dimension. Most of them were scarred by tragedy, which highlights their jaded view of the world. TS3 expanded on what the brand does best by presenting an incredible journey that allowed all personalities to shine. Who could forget Spanish Buzz? Or even Barbie ripping apart Ken’s clothes to get the truth out of him? An excellent send-off that closes the chapter on Andy, and gave Woody, Buzz, and the gang a happy ending.
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