After my book launch, we went to see Toy Story 4. I figured it would be a good way to recoup after all the peopling I had done. Introvert therapy.
We went to see Toy Story 1 before we had children. We love movies and the fact that it was a kids movie was irrelevant. It was 1995 and Toy Story was the first-ever digitally animated feature and it was getting good reviews.
Just around the corner were two children born in 1996 and 1997 so when Toy Story 2 came out in 1999 we could all be in the cinema together. Toy Story 1 was in the house on DVD, a staple played over and over.
Mr 1997’s first toy request was Buzz Lightyear. I think Mr 1997 was disappointed that Buzz was just a toy. Real and not real are blurred when you are 3 years old.
Then there was the miniature Buzz that came free with some fast food. Mr 1997 fell asleep with this Buzz gripped in his hand. There was a frantic search in a holiday unit and this miniature Buzz almost became a lost toy (He was under the bed)
By 2010 when Toy Story 3 came out (do that maths) we went to the cinema with children in their early teens. ‘Its a kids movie’ was still irrelevant. I think 3 is the scariest of the franchise. That incinerator! Adolescence can be a scary time too, into the unknown with pecking orders and bullies. You’re in or you’re out – you’re in the nasty room or the good room.
Here is 2019 and we have adult children. Our family are all still in the cinema watching Toy Story. 4. (SPOILER FOLLOWS)
In this film, Woody chooses to go out into the world – to be independent, just like all the children now in their early 20’s who first gripped Buzz to help them sleep and wept over lost toys.
This is good story-telling for any age.
Remember the trip home from Howard and the ‘I Spy’ game in the car every answer from Mr 1997 was Buzz Lightyear no matter the letter.