JOHN LASSETER

Bil’s rating (out of 5):   BBBBB. 

USA, 1995.  Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures.  Story by John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, Joe Ranft, Screenplay by Joss Whedon, Andrew Stanton, Joel Cohen, Alec Sokolow.  Produced by Bonnie Arnold, Ralph Guggenheim.  Music by Randy Newman.  Production Design by Ralph Eggleston.  Film Editing by Robert Gordon, Lee Unkrich.  

The first fully computer-animated feature film is a hilarious tale of friendship and adventure that is actually more notable for its writing than its technical wizardry.  The idea here is that when little children leave their rooms and close their doors, all their toys come to life and continue their existence in a community environment where they’re all friends working together for the common good: pleasing their owner. When the little boy who owns them receives a new Buzz Lightyear toy (voiced by Tim Allen) for Christmas, the child’s previous favourite cowboy doll Woody (Tom Hanks) is miffed.  Things change, however, when Buzz ends up in trouble with the bad kid next door and Woody needs to swallow his pride and do the right thing. Marvelous work, equally enjoyable for kids and adults alike, and followed by an equally impressive sequel.

Academy Award:  Special Award, for computer animation
Nominations: Best Original Screenplay; Best Original Score-Musical/Comedy; Best Original Song (“You’ve Got A Friend In Me”)

Golden Globe Award Nominations:  Best Picture-Musical/Comedy; Best Original Song (“You’ve Got A Friend In Me”)