Toy Story - Wrap-up

Well, that was an interesting way of passing the time over the Easter weekend.

I think all of the Toy Story films are strong films, and the release gaps between them allows ample breathing space.

The first three films make a pretty solid trilogy. It's almost as if we as an audience are growing up alongside Andy Davis. In that regard, the fourth film could be a fresh start and a chance to get a new audience.

Overall, I think Toy Story 2 is probably the strongest film in the series. The theme of lasting forever is one I can identify with. Stinky Pete believes that when they're donated to the toy museum in Japan, they'll spend eternity admired by countless children. And while Pete was never played with, Jessie did have an owner who outgrew her. Pete warns Woody that such a fate is inevitable, while Buzz warns him that being in a museum means that he'll be admired but never played with; a toy's real purpose. In the end, he accepts that such a fate is inevitable, but he'll enjoy it while it lasts. Speaking as someone who went from 9-to-5 life to student life, which will inevitably end, I identify with this theme strongly. Nothing lasts forever, and I hope to be able to get a fresh start after finishing my degree.

Things have been pretty rough at the moment, with this quarantine and the gradual loss of things to look forward to. But these films are excellent "feel-good" movies, and a useful source of comfort through these hard times.