Toy Story

Toy Story is one of the most popular computer-animated films of all time, enjoyed by both children and adults alike.

Created by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures, and directed by John Lasseter, Toy Story was released in 1995. It made history for being the first ever feature-length, computer-animated film. In fact, it took 27 animators and 400 computer models to capture the scenes in the movie. The results paid off, as Toy Story was met with massive positive acclaim, earning an impressive $373 million at the worldwide box office, and gaining three Academy Award nominations.

Toy Story holds such huge appeal because it focuses on a theme that's captivating to audiences, namely, the idea that toys come alive when no humans are present. These toys possess the desire to be loved and played with by their owners.

The plot centres on a number of toy characters, owned by a young boy called Andy, who are vying for his attention amid concerns that they might get replaced by newer toys, or get left behind when Andy and his family move to a new house.

Voiced by Tom Hanks, Sheriff Woody is a pull-string cowboy doll that is central to the story. Much of the plot focuses on Woody's relationship with another toy character, a space ranger action figure called Buzz Lightyear, with a voiceover from Tim Allen. Although the two initially start out as rivals competing for Andy's affections, they eventually become firm friends.

Other characters in Toy Story include a cynical potato-shaped doll called Mr Potato Head, voiced by Don Rickles, an anxious T-Rex dinosaur called Rex, voiced by Wallace Shawn, a Slinky Dog toy with a voiceover from Jim Varney, Hamm the piggy bank voiced by John Ratzenberger, a shepherdess doll called Bo Peep, voiced by Annie Potts, and a group of plastic soldiers.

In the beginning, Woody is Andy's favourite toy, but when the young boy's birthday approaches, a new toy in the form of Buzz Lightyear muscles in on Andy's affections to become his new, best plaything. After Buzz accidentally falls out of the window and Woody takes the blame from the other toys, it's up to Woody to make amends. When the two rivals are separated from their home, they face a number of challenges in their attempts to return, including escaping the clutches of nasty neighbour, Sid Phillips. The toy duo eventually forms a truce, and their friendship begins to blossom.

After the huge success of the film, Toy Story 2 was released in 1999, followed by Toy Story 3 in 2010. Toy Story themed video games, merchandise and spin-offs have also since been released. Fans can expect Toy Story 4 to hit the big screen in 2019.

If you've got lots of toys at home (and the mess is starting to drive you insane), Solent Plastics provides a wide range of sturdy plastic storage solutions that will keep them safe and secure… we don’t want the little blighters getting out at night, do we?