Toy Story (1995)
There is a tendency to assume that providing a voice-over for an animated movie is something of an easy job – something you could literally “phone in.” But then, there’s Toy Story, which is testament to the way in which the correct casting can lead to an astonishing work of animation, the creation of a giant fanbase, and a franchise that encompasses decades, and generations.
Toy Story literally birthed Pixar as a creator of feature-length animation. Without Toy Story, there would be no Finding Nemo, or Monsters Inc., or Up, or Inside Out. These joyous achievements in cinema exist because there was first Woody and Buzz Lightyear, and they made us believe that our toys just wanted the best for us.
Woody is the central character, voiced by Tom Hanks. While Hanks’ intonations are instantly recognizable, he imbues Woody with a different kind of swagger. This is a toy who is in a position of power within the social structure of Andy’s playthings. He has assumed the role of leader. He organizes the group and ensures that everyone has what they need. He does this, because he is Andy’s favourite toy – and has been for as long as anyone can remember. But, taste changes with age, and when Andy gets a Buzz Lightyear toy for his birthday, Woody faces a challenge to his privileged position.
The beauty of Toy Story is that it takes this voice – Tom Hanks – whom we associate with trustworthiness and good virtue, and reveals him to be self-serving and manipulative. Even when he seeks to redeem himself and save Buzz from the real villain of the piece – Sid the kid – he is doing so largely to redeem himself in the eyes of his fellow toys. It is only his deep and abiding devotion to his owner, Andy, which makes him at all sympathetic.
The important point to note about the character of Woody in Toy Story is that his character arc – as performed by Hanks – exists not just in that film, but over the course of the sequels that followed, which span 15 years. This is set to continue with the upcoming Toy Story 4.
