1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Mary Poppins

#446- Mary Poppins (1964)
Starring: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson
Directed by: Robert Stevenson


Plot Summary: The Banks family is in desperate need of a new nanny to take care of their children, Jane and Michael. The children write what they want for their ideal nanny, but their father rips it up and burns it in the fireplace. The pieces of the letter get swept up the chimney and fly into the sky. The next day, a huge gust of wind blows Mary Poppins to the Banks home where she is given the new nanny position. Knowing how to be fun and firm, Mary Poppins takes the children through numerous adventures, along with a friendly jack-of-all-trades named Burt, that will not only benefit the children, but also their workaholic father.


When I was getting ready to go on my date night to see Saving Mr. Banks, it occurred to me that I have never seen Mary Poppins before. Growing up, I had seen nearly every Disney movie except that one. Why? I have no idea. It was just never in my VHS collection. While Saving Mr. Banks was enjoyable, there were a lot of subtleties towards the people that had grown up with Mary Poppins that I felt I was missing. So last weekend, I made it my mission to see Mary Poppins to further understand the context of Saving Mr. Banks.

The iconic role of Mary Poppins is brought to life by Julie Andrews. Andrews's cheery disposition and wonderful singing voice help make Mary Poppins a fun character. She also knows when to put on a serious demeanor and knows how to use proper tone in her voice to get her message across. Both those qualities are necessary to make Mary Poppins work and Andrews has no problem with either. The overall look of Mary Poppins is iconic, from her numerous attires, to her umbrella, to her songs, to even a lot of her catchphrases. I can only imagine that thanks to Julie Andrews, many children grew up wanting to have a nanny like Mary Poppins.

Bert is a jack-of-all-trades played by Dick Van Dyke. Nearly everyone has poked fun at Van Dyke's Cockney accent, but I'll go on to say it wasn't that distracting for me. While it is fast, a little tough to understand, and extremely stereotypical, I thought the accent helped fit his jack-of-all-trades personality. He's friendly, adventurous, and has a deep admiration for Mary Poppins. His excitement is infectious with the audience, especially during some of the film's musical numbers. Whether he's dancing with penguin, dancing with chimney sweeps, or laughing until he floats to the ceiling, Bert should be remembered as a character who loves to have fun.

The film has great creativity and fun characters, but it really won me over with its music, composed by the legendary Sherman Brothers. One of the only memories of Mary Poppins that I had growing up was a Disney Sing-along tape that I had that had a handful of songs on it. When I finally watched it, many of my favorites like "A Spoonful of Sugar," "Jolly Holiday," "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," "Chim Chim Cher-ee," "Step in Time," and "Let's Go Fly a Kite" (I know, there's a lot) were all there just like I remembered them, but there were also a lot of other songs that weren't on my radar as a child. I forgot about how silly "I Love to Laugh" was, and "Feed the Birds" was a shockingly beautiful sequence, in fact it's been labelled as Walt Disney's favorite song. It was amazing to see and hear how important the songs could be for a film like Mary Poppins, giving it that extra amount of imagination.

While author P.L. Travers had a problem with the use of animation in the film, I actually really enjoyed it. When they go into the world created by sidewalk chalk, everything except the main characters is animated, from the people to the penguins. The two elements of live action and animation blend together so nicely that it no longer looks like a filmmaking technique, but instead, something that naturally fits in with the story. It doesn't hurt that it is during one of the most famous segments of the movie, containing song numbers such as "Jolly Holiday" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."

The film holds a large legacy with children and families for generations. I'd go on to say it's arguably Disney's most popular and most marketable live-action film. With lovable characters, catchy songs, and a whole lot of imagination, it's no wonder why it's so beloved. The film's legacy proved to be strong with the success of Saving Mr. Banks, which told a more behind-the-scenes look at the writing of the film. Seeing many of the timeless references in Mary Poppins make their way into this new film was very enjoyable, feeling fresh to younger viewers and familiar to those who grew up with this timeless classic.


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I went into Mary Poppins knowing very little about it, and came out loving it. It was one of those rare moments where I felt I was able to experience an aspect of childhood once again, and makes for a great way to end Disney Month. It's an easy recommendation for everyone to see and own in their DVD collection.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review

Mary Poppins and movie images are copyrighted by Walt Disney Pictures

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Fantasia

#142- Fantasia (1940)
Starring: Leopold Stokowski, Deems Taylor, The Philadelphia Orchestra
Directed by: Samuel Armstrong, James Algar, Bill Roberts, Paul Satterfield, Ben Sharpsteen, David D. Hand, Hamilton Luske, Jim Handley, Ford Beebe, T. Hee, Norm Ferguson, and Wilfred Jackson


Plot Summary: Disney presents a collection of animated shorts set to classical music, composed by Leopold Stokowski and performed by The Philadelphia Orchestra. Each short tells a different type of story, including a collection of abstract shapes and colors, followed by a representation of the seasons changing with dancing flowers, fairies, and mushrooms. Mickey Mouse is the apprentice of the great sorcerer Yen Sid and attempts to perform some magic by putting on his master's hat. There is then a visual depiction of Earth's beginnings with the dinosaurs, a look at a mythical world from the days of ancient Greece, and a comic ballet comprised of dancing ostriches, elephants, hippos and alligators. The film's grand finale is the dichotomy of light and dark as the devil Chernabog summons spirits and souls from their graves until the light shines through as night fades into dawn.


There was a point in Disney's earlier years where a majority of their animated films were compiled of their animated shorts. That trend began with Fantasia, a collection of animated shorts set to classical music. There's a specific mindset that must accompany a film like this. That mindset is to watch and appreciate the film not only on an animated level, but on a musical level as well. I knew going into this movie that what would make the film work, or not work, was if the two elements would be able to blend together perfectly for each individual short.

"Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" by Johann Sebastian Bach is the film's first short, and it is set to a collection of abstract shapes and colors. It's an effective way to start the film, serving as a warm up of things to come. It also is a concept that I'm sure many people can imagine when listening to music, letting your mind create random images to accompany the music. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite" is the centerpiece of a short about the changing of the seasons. Through a collection of fairies, flowers, mushrooms, and fish set do a different song each, the seasons are able to transition on point with the songs. It's a fun musical number that instills a proper amount of creativity through its imagery.

"The Sorcerer's Apprentice" by Paul Dukas is the centerpiece of the film, and probably the short most people associate with Fantasia. Mickey Mouse plays the sorcerer's apprentice and the short revolves around him trying to do the magic he sees his master perform. It's one of the more famous pieces of Disney animation and a piece that revitalized Mickey's career (he was losing popularity at the time). What's interesting to note about the music for the short is that it was written specifically to fit with the original story, a poem written by Goethe. That way, when we see it featured in this animated short, each action is meant to go along with the music, creating a mixture of animation and music that go hand in hand.

If there were any weak spots, I'd say it would be in the middle of the film. Igor Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring," Ludwig van Beethoven's "The Pastoral Symphony," and Amilcare Ponchielli's  "Dance of the Hours" accompany shorts where the music doesn't exactly add up the way you'd hope. "The Rite of Spring" focuses on how the world was created and while a bit dark and serious, it can also be a tad boring to watch. "The Pastoral Symphony" goes on and on with numerous false endings, making it annoying when it persists to tell its story (although, props to them for creating a continuity of how their ancient mythology looks, with many designs reminiscent of Hercules). "Dance of the Hours" is just bizarre with numerous animals dancing. It's the most "Disney" looking of the shorts, and that actually hurts it since the other shorts at least look like they're trying to be something different from what we expect from Disney. Instead of blending well together, the shorts begin to drag and you almost can't wait for them to be over, even if the animation looks nice and the music sounds beautiful.

The film ends on a very high note with its depictions of Modest Mussorgsky's "Night on Bald Mountain" and Franz Schubert's "Ave Maria." It's a great combination of one of the darkest moments you'll ever see from Disney, as well as one of the most beautiful. This one's so good, I think it'll be better to see it for yourself, instead of me trying to describe all of it to you. But trust me when I say it's worth checking out, and it's quite possibly the best spot in the film because it serves as the proper way the film should end.

Fantasia should be looked at as a revolutionary concept from Disney. It was able to take their beloved animated style and combine it with some of the greatest pieces of classical music, introducing and attracting the style of music to a younger demographic in the process. This film started the trend of Disney's package films, but it proved to be a very difficult task to re-create the magic they were able to bring to the screen with Fantasia.


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Some of the shorts are lacking that spark to keep the film's momentum going, but Fantasia is still a fun film with enough beautiful and entertaining moments for fans of music and animation. It's a film worth checking out for a weekend rental for all those Disney fans out there.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review 

Fantasia and movie images are copyrighted by Walt Disney Pictures

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- The Muppet Movie

#678- The Muppet Movie (1979)
Starring: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Charles Durning
Directed by: James Frawley


Plot Summary: The Muppets have gathered in a theater to see the premiere of their first movie, The Muppet Movie. The film is about Kermit the Frog's journey to Hollywood to pursue an acting career. Doc Hopper is an entrepreneur who is chasing Kermit down to try and get him to be the spokesman for his restaurant franchise, which specializes in French-fried frog legs. On Kermit's journey, he meets many odd characters, like Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Rowlf the Dog, and Miss Piggy, culminating in a road trip to Hollywood so The Muppets can break into show business.


In recent years, The Muppets have been a franchise marketed under the Disney name, with their new film, Muppets Most Wanted, due to be released in March. I thought I should specify that since it might puzzle some people why I selected their first film, The Muppet Movie, to review during Disney Month. While not originally a Disney film, The Muppets offer a sense of childhood nostalgia for people that grew up with them since the '70s, with the more recent films reaching out to a new generation of children to watch and enjoy. That's enough credentials for me to consider this an unconventional Disney film, or even considered a Disney film by association. Personally, I had never grown up with The Muppets, I knew who the characters were, but I never watched the show or the movies, so when I sat down to watch this movie, I hoped that it would give me a sense of what The Muppets were all about and what they meant to the people that did grow up with them.

Kermit the Frog, performed by Jim Henson, has always been the cornerstone of The Muppets. While he gets in some fun jokes, his main job is to be the straight man (or frog) in this world filled with strange and unusual characters. One of the characteristics that helped me like him instantly was his selfless reason for why he wanted to go to Hollywood. He is not interested in the money or the fame that comes with it, but rather, wants to make millions of people happy. The polar opposite of Kermit is Ms. Piggy, performed by Frank Oz. I've never liked Miss Piggy. I always found her selfish, stuck up, and irritating. What is it that makes her likable with the crowd? Is it her stalker-like romance with Kermit? Is it her "holier than thou" personality? Is it her violent tendencies that come seemingly out of nowhere? I'm sorry, but, I've never understood the appeal.

My favorite Muppet was Fozzie Bear, performed by Frank Oz. Fozzie specializes in ridiculous puns and unfunny jokes, which of course is hilarious (seriously, he's like me if I were a Muppet). He is loyal to Kermit throughout the film and is the first to join him on his quest to go to Hollywood. Their road trip scenes really demonstrate a relationship between the two that is fitting of best friends. I see Kermit and Fozzie interact and imagine that's how my best friend and I would act. There isn't a whole lot for me to say about Gonzo the Great, performed by Dave Goelz. He's a goofy character that looks silly, acts silly and has a romance with a chicken named Camilla, performed by Jerry Nelson. He's obviously one of those characters that everyone loves and loves to see on-screen, but there wasn't a whole lot of depth I could understand for Gonzo, or even understand his personalities or what he does to contribute to the group.

Along the way, our main Muppets meet many other characters, including Rowlf the Dog, Sweetums, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker, and Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem. Many of the other Muppets, including Sam the Eagle, Statler and Waldorf, and Swedish Chef are watching the film, and are only prominently featured in the scenes in the theater watching the movie. They're fun additions to the film for all fans of The Muppet Show, but don't add a whole lot to the overall plot of the film they are watching (for the record, that's starting to sound confusing. Who knew meta-humor existed that far back).

The film offers great star power through its various cameos from some of the top entertainers of the time. Included in the film are cameos from Bob Hope, Milton Berle, Dom DeLuise, Mel Brooks, Richard Pryor, Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman, Orson Welles, and my personal favorite of the film, Steve Martin. Seeing these entertainers work off The Muppets seems like a great symbolic acceptance of Kermit and the rest of The Muppets as some of the greatest entertainers of all time. There's also a great cameo from Big Bird of Sesame Street fame (left a big smile on my face for a couple of minutes to see Big Bird interact with Kermit the Frog).

The Muppet Movie gave me a good introduction to many of the characters and put them in an environment that is easy to follow, a road trip movie. The road trip movie blends in nicely with the musical numbers, creating a fun, musical adventure. My favorite part of the road trip is when Kermit and Fozzie sing "Movin' Right Along," a humorous and catchy tune that serves as a montage full of puns, jokes and the cameo from Big Bird I mentioned earlier. The road trip concept was a great idea to introduce how Kermit met the other characters and how they accompany him on his journey. Since it shows how The Muppets got their start, the film plays out like a prequel to The Muppet Show, making it an effective way to introduce The Muppets to someone unfamiliar with them, like myself.


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Muppet Movie is a wonderful blend of family entertainment, with timeless characters you know and love teaming up with some of the biggest names in showbiz during the time for the ultimate road trip comedy. If you are planning on seeing Muppets Most Wanted, this is a film that deserves a solid recommendation for a rental for the entire family.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review

The Muppet Movie and movie images are copyrighted by Walt Disney Pictures and Associated Film Distribution

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Toy Story 3

#937- Toy Story 3 (2010)
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack
Directed by: Lee Unkrich


Plot Summary: Andy has grown up and not played with his toys in years. Throughout the years, Woody, Buzz and a handful of other toys are the only ones to not be given away. As Andy prepares to go to college, he decides he wants to take Woody with him, leaving the rest of the toys to realize they aren't needed any longer. They voluntarily go to Sunnyside Daycare to be played with for generations. They are welcomed by Lots-O'-Huggin' Bear and Ken, who seem to be the leaders of the toys at Sunnyside. After learning what Lotso, Ken and many of the other toys have in mind for Buzz and the rest of Andy's toys, it is up to Woody to help them escape Sunnyside Daycare and make it back home before Andy leaves for college.


In the summer of 2010, I saw Toy Story 3 in theaters with my best friend, and a visual representation of the phrase "all good things must come to an end" played out in more than one way. We were both 16-years-old and were preparing for our senior year of high school, knowing college was right around the corner. To make things even more dramatic, he was staying in California for school and I was moving to go to school in Illinois. With moving away and starting college on the horizon, I knew my childhood was coming to an end shortly, a theme that is presented heavily in the final installment of the Toy Story Trilogy. So what would I end up thinking of the film that not only accurately fit what I was going through, but also served as the conclusion to the greatest animated franchise of my generation?

The biggest contribution Toy Story 3 makes in new characters is through a wide variety of new villains. The main antagonist of the film is Lots-O'-Huggin' Bear, voiced by Ned Beatty. Lotso seems trusting at first, but his methods and motivations shine through later in the plot. While he does have his reasons, the audience would have to agree that his mind got a little warped along the way, and maybe what he's doing doesn't necessarily mesh well with his reasoning. My favorite new character in the film is definitely Ken, voiced by Michael Keaton. The character is absolutely hilarious in everything he does, from his confusion of being labelled a toy for girls, to his romance with new-found girlfriend Barbie, voiced by Jodi Benson. Some of my favorite scenes in the film were just of Ken being an idiot, but still keeping his confidence.

For a good portion of the film, we follow Woody as he is inside the house of a little girl named Bonnie, voiced by Emily Hahn. Bonnie is an adorable little girl with a large imagination and love of toys. The audience, along with Woody, gets to know her toys fairly well in the time they are given. Mr. Pricklepants, voiced by Timothy Dalton, is given the personality of a great Shakespearean actor, while also having an entertaining diva-like attitude. Buttercup, voiced by Jeff Garlin, is a stuffed unicorn with a sarcastic and relaxed attitude. Dolly, voiced by Bonnie Hunt, serves as the guide for Woody and offers to help him get used to his surroundings. Trixie, voiced by Kristen Schaal, is a fun-loving Triceratops and probably the most likable character in Bonnie's collection. Together, the toys make a fun "improv" group that love when Bonnie gives them new material to work off of.

One of my favorite parts of the film is its attention to detail when it comes to the growth of Andy as a teenager. Pixar sought out John Morris, the voice of Andy when he is a child in Toy Story and Toy Story 2, and wanted him to voice Andy. It's refreshing to see the amount of respect and importance of keeping a cast whole, instead of just finding some modern teenage sensation to fill in for Morris. Little details like that really help establish Andy as a crucial character in this film, and almost an entity for the entire theme of childhood coming to an end. At the time of seeing the film, I was the same age Andy was, so it was really easy to understand what he was going through because I was going through the same situation. Because growing up and going to college is a natural part of life, it's impossible to look down on Andy for "abandoning" his toys

The film's darker tone is emphasized greatly in the first of two emotional endings.The first ending is one of those rare times where a moment in a Disney film can be both touching and heartbreaking at once. Seeing the journey these characters have gone on during this trilogy and then to see what potentially could be their fate, it's very grim and shocking to see. I remember tons of younger children in the theater either confused at what was going on (I'd hate to be the parent that had to explain THAT) or knew what was happening and bawling their eyes out. Luckily, it's not the final moments of the film.

The REAL ending of the film is the moment that had me and my best friend bawling our eyes out in the movie theater. What it was able to do was take the themes presented throughout an entire trilogy of films, presented in the life of a child into adulthood, and allow the toys to go on a natural transition of life along with Andy. It's a very satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, especially from my point of view. Being a child when the first Toy Story film came out definitely allowed me to appreciate the themes of Toy Story 3 that much more as a young adult. Instead of making a film specifically for today's generation of children, Pixar went with a story that was a gritty, yet fitting conclusion to the franchise, as well as a finale that paid respect to the fans that gave Pixar their reputation as the best name in animation when they watched the original Toy Story film in 1995.


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I REALLY hope Pixar does not move forward with a fourth film in this series. Toy Story 3 is the perfect ending to one of my favorite trilogies of all time, and by far my favorite animated franchise. I absolutely recommend seeing this film and owning it in your DVD collection, just make sure to have the tissues on standby for when the crying starts.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review

Toy Story 3 and movie images are copyrighted by Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Toy Story 2

#936- Toy Story 2 (1999)
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack
Directed by: John Lasseter


Plot Summary: Woody is getting ready to go with Andy to summer camp, until he is accidentally damaged and put on the top shelf instead. In an attempt to save an older toy from being sold in a yard sale, Woody is stolen by the owner of the local toy shop. Buzz, Rex, Hamm, Slinky Dog and Mr. Potato Head embark on a mission to rescue Woody and have him back before Andy gets back from camp. However, Woody has discovered that he was the star of his own television show, and with his new friends Jessie, Bullseye and Stinky Pete, they have an opportunity to go to a museum in Tokyo, Japan, where they can be loved for generations and not have to worry about being shelved or replaced.


When it comes to animated movies, sequels are very difficult to accomplish. They usually are considered inferior to the original film and a lot of times, especially in Disney's case, are released straight to DVD. So when Pixar decided to make Toy Story 2, people didn't know what to expect. It's the sequel to an animated film the world fell in love with, so did they want it to be better than the first, or did they expect it to fail? When it was released, I enjoyed it but I thought the first Toy Story movie was still better. But that was from the point of view of a kid still playing with his toys. As I got older, my appreciation for the second film continued to grow with each viewing. I not only think that Toy Story 2 is just as good as the first movie, but I think it's even BETTER than the first in certain areas.

One of the new toys Woody encounters is a cowgirl named Jessie, voiced by Joan Cusack. Jessie is a character that holds a lot of emotional depth throughout the film. She's introduced as someone who is adventurous, outgoing, and a lot of fun to be around. She's elated to see Woody because he is her chance to be immortalized in a toy museum in Japan, but quickly becomes resentful towards Woody when he shows signs of wanting to return home to Andy. Jessie's motivations are revealed in the emotional highlight of the film, a montage of how her previous owner, Emily, grew out of loving her. Randy Newman's "When She Loved Me" is the song used in this tragically beautiful scene. The song, performed by Sarah McLachlan, truly captures the perfect amount of emotion for the scene and is what makes this scene all the more heartbreaking and memorable.

Bullseye is Woody's horse from the television show Woody's Roundup. Like Slinky, Bullseye is completely loyal towards Woody. However, while Slinky is loyal like a close friend to Woody, Bullseye serves as more of a loyal pet (I credit some of that to Bullseye being a silent character). He has many comedic bits with Woody during the film, but knows when to be serious for a heroic deed. Stinky Pete the Prospector, voiced by Kelsey Grammar, serves as a mentor-like role for the rest of the Woody's Roundup toys. He explains to Woody how they were phased out (by space toys, how ironic) and makes sure to emphasize the importance of why they should go to the museum. He thinks they deserve to live forever and have children love them from generation to generation, as opposed to having an individual owner that will forget about them.

One of the characters from the first movie I didn't mention last time was Mr. Potato Head, voiced by Don Rickles. In the previous installment, Mr. Potato Head was more hostile and antagonistic towards the other toys. In the second film, the arrival of Mrs. Potato Head, voiced by Estelle Harris, has seemed to mellow him. He's involved in one of my favorite bits from the film when he saves the lives of three alien squeeze toys from the first film, voiced by Jeff Pidgeon, and they show him that they are eternally grateful by never leaving him alone. For me, it's one of the most quotable moments in the franchise, logically making it one of the more entertaining portions of the film.

Toy Story 2 is full of new villains for Woody, Buzz and the rest of the toys to combat. Woody is kidnapped by Al, voiced by Wayne Knight, the owner of a local toy store, Al's Toy Barn. Al is a bit of a greedy idiot, but has a reason for kidnapping Woody and is symbolic of how a toy collector can go too far. There's even a toy version of Buzz's arch enemy Zurg, voiced by Andrew Stanton, who is targeting the group led by Buzz (not really Buzz, there's another Buzz Lightyear who goes through the same motions Buzz does in the first film, but I digress). Zurg is an obvious Darth Vader rip-off, but it's done in a tongue-in-cheek kind of way that is still enjoyable and humorous. There is a third villain that I technically won't reveal the identity of, but I will say the motivations of the villain, as well as the build up to the reveal, are completely understandable and even feel natural for the character.

In the context of a trilogy, the second installment is usually considered the bridging gap between the beginning and ending of the three-movie storyline. If you remember my review of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, I said that the second installment has a difficult task in standing out. When discussing Toy Story 2 as a second film in a trilogy, I think it delivers in what most second installments SHOULD aspire to do. It picks up right where the first film left off and continues the story in a natural progression, making sure to add more depth in its plot points that can be addressed in this film but also foreshadows ideas that can be further developed in a third installment, making Toy Story 2 a film that should NOT be glossed over.


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Toy Story 2 takes the established universe of the first film and expands it further, creating a film that is arguably better than the first. It introduces new characters and delivers a stronger plot that leaves the door open for another sequel. I strongly recommend that everyone sees the second installment in the Toy Story franchise and it is definitely worth owning in your DVD collection.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review

Toy Story 2 and movie images are copyrighted by Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- Toy Story

#935- Toy Story (1995)
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles
Directed by: John Lasseter


Plot Summary: In the world of Andy's bedroom, his toys come to life when no one is around. Andy's favorite toy, a pull-string cowboy doll named Woody, has been replaced by the new Buzz Lightyear action figure. Jealous of the attention given to the new space ranger toy, Woody devises a plan to win Andy's affection back, but ends ups knocking Buzz out a window and leaves Woody alienated by the rest of Andy's toys. In the possession of neighbor, and toy destroyer, Sid, and with Andy and his family preparing to move to a different house, Woody and Buzz must escape Sid's house and make it back to Andy's before it's too late.


There's been a point where Disney's modern success has been co-dependent on their Pixar films, as opposed to relying solely on their own animated releases. Since 1995, Pixar has been able to produce engaging films through a computer generated form of animation, with little to no failures along the way (one or two, but that's still pretty impressive for almost 20 years of filmmaking). It all started with the release of Toy Story, the first full-length computer generated film. This film also had a lasting impression on my childhood, but unlike The Lion King, is still able to hold up with recent viewings and has improved over time.

Woody, voiced by Tom Hanks, is a cowboy doll and Andy's favorite toy. Woody comes off as a strong, organized leader for the rest of Andy's toys. There's an immediate amount of depth given to Woody upon his introduction, from his fatherly interactions with the other toys and his teased romance with Bo Peep, voiced by Annie Potts. With Woody, the audience can see when he's jealous, when he's responsible, and even when he's selfish. We don't look down on him for it because we understand that he enjoys the status quo of being Andy's favorite toy. Admittedly, I enjoyed Woody more when I was growing up because he was the stronger, central character that I could relate to. Tom Hanks has been one of my favorite actors in recent years, and he is able to fully blend into the role of Woody to the point where I don't hear an actor, I hear the voice Woody should naturally have.

Woody's world is turned upside down with the arrival of Buzz Lightyear, voiced by Tim Allen. Buzz's big story arc for the film is that he does not comprehend that he is an action figure instead of a real space ranger. This allows Buzz to be heroic in everything he does, as well as exuding a large amount of confidence and bravery for whatever comes his way. Even if he is the new toy, and the key to Woody's jealousy, the audience is still able to have fun with the character, as he is able to add spontaneity to Andy's other toys, as well as having great comedic timing with Woody. Like Tom Hanks, Tim Allen is able to disguise a comedic voice in exchange for a courageous, and occasionally naive, superhero with tons of cheesy catchphrases and heroics that create one of the most memorable and marketable characters in Disney history.

Buzz and Woody are not the only lovable toys in Andy's collection. Among the other memorable characters in the film is Slinky Dog, voiced by Jim Varney, is Woody's closest and most loyal companion amongst Andy's toys, qualities that are very befitting of a dog character. He is always the first one to side with Woody on whatever he decides and is very trusting of Woody to be their leader. Hamm, voiced by recurring Pixar voice actor John Ratzenberger, is a loud and sarcastic piggy bank who provides the occasional one-liner to work off the comedic dynamic with Mr. Potato Head, voiced by Don Rickles. Finally, there's Rex, voiced by Wallace Shawn, a shy, but lovable Tyrannosaurus Rex. Rex's kind nature in wanting to fit his role as a tough dinosaur toy is actually what helps establish his unique, memorable qualities amongst the rest of the toys.

The music in Toy Story was composed by Randy Newman and he lends his vocals to three songs in the film. "I Will Go Sailing No More" is a nice song that is used a moment of grace for Buzz, and "Strange Things" is a catchy song used for a montage of Buzz's impact on the toys and Woody's jealousy. Both songs have strong melodies and lyrics by Newman, but it's "You've Got a Friend in Me" that EVERYONE remembers. Seriously, when I was growing up, everyone and their mother knew this song, sang this song, and still sings this song whenever Toy Story is brought up in conversation. Newman's score gives the film a universally recognizable sound, making the music just as important for the film's success as the beloved characters and groundbreaking animation.

Toy Story has a legacy on film that will live forever. The lovable characters and groundbreaking concept established Pixar's greatness in the world of animation, helped Disney stay atop the list of great animated companies, laid the groundwork for the greatest animated trilogy of all time, AND has entertained children and families for the last 19 years and will continue to entertain for years to come, making it a film so important, that it will be remembered to infinity...and beyond.


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

It's amazing when a film you loved as a child can be just as good, if not better when you've reached adult status. I can gladly say that Toy Story is one of those types of animated movies. I strongly recommend seeing and owning the film in your DVD collection.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review

Toy Story and movie images are copyrighted by Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios

1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die- The Lion King

#903- The Lion King (1994)
Starring: Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons
Directed by: Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff


Plot Summary: In the African Pride Lands, King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi celebrate the birth of their lion cub, and future king, Simba. Mufasa's brother Scar is jealous over Simba, as he has replaced him as heir to the throne. Scar devises a plan to dispose of Mufasa and Simba so he can take over the kingdom. His plans don't go as planned, as Simba is able to escape from the Pride Lands and runs to the desert, where Timon, a meerkat, and Pumbaa, a warthog, take Simba under their guidance. When a piece of Simba's past finds him, he must remember who he is and return home to confront his uncle and take his place as the true lion king.


With the start of a new year, I decided to start it off with something BIG. There were numerous ideas to choose from, but I thought the best one to start with was looking at some of the greatest Disney films of all time. The Lion King is that one Disney movie that summarizes my childhood the most. It was one of the films I watched most as a kid and it was the most successful film during the Disney Renaissance (the era where films like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin were released). After sitting down and watching it once again, this time without the nostalgia goggles, is it still THAT good, or are there some aspects of it that I think are a tad overrated?

The Lion King follows the tale of Simba as a young lion cub, voiced by Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and when he is a full-grown lion, voiced by Matthew Broderick. How Simba is portrayed as a character is my biggest gripe about the film. The younger version of Simba comes off as this spoiled, bratty little twerp, and the older version is a passive and unappealing wimp. When your main character is built up as the future king of the jungle, the audience should have expectations of what type of character he should be, and Simba does not fit those expectations at all. Even more baffling is towards the end of the film when they throw in a forced romance with his childhood friend Nala, voiced by Moira Kelly. It's a really rushed subplot that is poorly developed and not at all believable, even by Disney's standards.

With so many problems towards Simba, does The Lion King offer good any good lion characters? The answer is yes through Simba's father Mufasa, voiced by James Earl Jones, and Simba's uncle Scar, voiced by Jeremy Irons. Jones brings a big, powerful voice to the film, giving Mufasa a commanding presence that is befitting a noble and courageous king. Irons portrays Scar in the opposite way, with a cowardly demeanor and conniving intentions. Since childhood, Scar has always been my favorite character in the film because it seems like Irons is having the most fun in bringing the character to life. Even though we can't see him on-screen, Irons is STILL able to chew the scenery through his over-the-top, but lovable (or at least love to hate) portrayal of Scar.

Timon and Pumbaa, voiced by Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella respectively, are generally the fan favorite characters of the film. Through their iconic "Hakuna Matata" scene, they are able to capture the attention and hearts of the audience, as we see a pair of worry-free pals. Their dynamic is also what makes them work as a team, with Timon being the witty brains of the operation and Pumbaa being his kind, but dim companion. Zazu, voiced by Rowan Atkinson, is a conservative hornbill that tries to serve as the conscience for Simba when he is a child. He doesn't add a whole lot to the film, but is still an enjoyable character and offers many quirky lines (his conversations with Scar are some of my personal favorite scenes). One of my favorite side characters is Rafiki, voiced by Robert Guillaume, a baboon who serves as a shaman to the Pride Lands, and Simba's mentor towards the end of the film. Rafiki's appeal is that he is silly and eccentric, and some scenes can seem absolutely out of his mind, but by the end of the scene, Simba, and the audience understand what Rafiki meant, making him more wise than crazy.

While there are only five songs in the film (I know, feels like more doesn't it?), each is memorable enough for me to have different thoughts about all of them, good and bad. "Circle of Life" is the song that perfectly complements the film's epic opening sequence, as well as serving as a lyrical representation of themes that are developed throughout the film. "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" is young Simba's big number and might seem fun and lighthearted, but is actually a song I can't stand, mainly because it encompasses all my previous complaints about young Simba in one song. As a fan of a great villain, and in turn a great song for the villain, "Be Prepared" was the most enjoyable song in the movie for me, accentuated with a dark and fiery scenery of reds, greens, smoke, and Third Reich hyenas (I'm not even kidding). Then there's the ever popular "Hakuna Matata," which is a fun and harmless song for Timon and Pumbaa to introduce the idea of "no worries" to Simba. The final song, and my least favorite, to talk about is "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," which just like "I Just Can't Wait to Be King," represents one of the elements of the films I dislike most, here it is Simba and Nala's rushed romance.

Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin are two Disney films from the same era that I'm VERY disappointed are not recognized as films to "watch before you die," because I found them more engaging and enjoyable than The Lion King. Still, the film is the highest grossing hand-drawn animated film of all time, and that statistic alone SHOULD solidify the film's spot in history as an all-time great, right? The Lion King does have a lot of things in its favor that make it a good film, but I feel like it also has enough things holding it back to where I could dare to call it overrated. While the film excels in the animation, the songs, and a number of side characters, it also suffers from having a rushed and jumbled plot, as well as a weak and boring main character, which makes the film lack the spark for me to consider it one of my all-time favorites in the animation genre.


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

While The Lion King has a few flaws, it cannot be denied that the film left a HUGE impact on pop culture, making it one of the most important contributions in the history of film, animation, and, of course, Disney. It is certainly a film that I recommend everyone sees at least once, and consider owning it in your DVD collection.

Comment below to share your thoughts on the movie or to discuss a topic that I left out of my review

The Lion King and movie images are copyrighted by Walt Disney Pictures