We all thought it was “so long, partner” forever – but Pixar isn't done with Woody, Buzz, and the gang just yet. With a fifth outing on the way that sees the toys faced with yet another challenge – the rise of technology vying for children' s attention – Toy Story 5 is screening at Cineworld from 19th June in all special formats, including IMAX and 4DX.
As we count down to its release, it got us thinking about the four exceptional instalments that have come before, and all the scenes that live rent free in our minds, for infinity and beyond.
Andy plays with Woody in the opening montage of Toy Story
Even when watching this in the year 1995, there was something nostalgic about the opening scene of Toy Story, where we see Andy wearing his own cowboy hat and playing with Woody.
As “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” plays in the background, Andy uses cardboard boxes as cows that Woody has to round-up before zooming off in a remote control car. Not just a toy, but his friend, Woody is piggybacked down the stairs on Andy’s shoulders, before swinging into a swizzle chair.
It’s a beautiful showcase of Andy’s imagination and how much Andy loves Woody.
Buzz takes flight spectacularly and the art of ‘falling with style’ is born
Much to Woody’s saccharine, Andy receives a new toy for his birthday that threatens to replace Woody as his favourite. Buzz Lightyear is a Space Ranger, and fully believes in his backstory – including that he can really fly.
In an endeavour to prove Buzz Lightyear is not, in fact, a Space Ranger but actually a toy, Woody asks him to fly. And Buzz manages it – sort of. As he attempts to take flight, he hurtles to the floor from the bedpost, only to bounce off a ball, skate along a scale electric, and get tangled in a mobile that seems him whizzing about in circles.
Thinking he’s proved a point, Woody declares, “That wasn’t flying! That was…falling with style.”
This is later harped back to in the climactic scene when Buzz saves Woody and acknowledges he is simply falling with style.
New toys – and an emotional back story! – in Toy Story 2
In Toy Story 2, we get to meet a whole group of new toys! Accidentally bought in a yard sale by collector Al McWhiggin, Woody and Buzz meet new toys. It is at this moment that Woody discovers he’s part of a larger storyline, as the hero of Woody’s Roundup. Finally, he is reunited with Jessie the Cowgirl, Bullseye the Horse, and Stinky Pete the Prospector.
But this reunion of sorts isn’t without its emotional elements. While Woody and Buzz have mistakenly ended up here, Jessie shares how her owner, Emily, outgrew and abandoned her. And if you weren’t emotionally scarred by “When She Loved Me” then you’ve got no heart. It also signposted what was to come for the rest of the toys, as Andy would later outgrow him.
Buzz enters Spanish mode in Toy Story 3
When Buzz is put back into Demo mode in order to do the dictator of Sunnyside Daycare, Lotso’s, bidding, Woody, Rex, and the gang eventually manage to get Buzz back and attempt to switch him back from the fierce Space Ranger. However, something goes wrong and we enjoy a dalliance with Spanish mode Buzz, that offers some pretty hilarious moments. This guy has swagger. We’re so here for El-Buzzo.
Andy lets go of his childhood and gives his toys to Bonnie
It was the end of an era – or so we thought. While Toy Story 4 came along 9 years later, Toy Story 3 still offers one of the most emotional moments of the whole franchise. At the end of the movie, after the toys have gone through a terrifying, near-death adventure, Andy finally chooses to rehome his beloved toys to Bonnie, who can give them a new lease of life and imagination.
As he introduces Bonnie to each of his toys, he hesitates before handing over Woody, the weight of his growing up and heading off to college hitting home.
Woody and Buzz part ways in Toy Story 4 – “To infinity and beyond”
We thought Toy Story 3 couldn’t be beat as an immaculate conclusion to the Pixar franchise, but then Toy Story 4 one-upped it. Because, the reality is, the cycle will only continue of kids outgrowing their toys, and Woody and co being abandoned.
In Toy Story 4, Woody comes to terms with this reality and, being reunited with his long lost love Bo Peep, he decides to leave Buzz, Jessie, and Bonnie behind and help other lost and abandoned toys find new homes.
A fitting end to his character arc, he and Buzz bid farewell to each other in an iconic and moving way. Buzz says, “To infinity”, to which Woody responds, “And beyond.” We’re not crying, you are!
And yet, it's not the end. Toy Story 5 is here and tackling the very real reality of technology taking over. Now parents are pulling their hair out over how much screentime is too much screentime, and kid's imagination might just well be depleting along with it. Tackling this new challenge, Buzz and Jessie certainly can't do it without Woody. The whole gang is getting back together, guys! Arriving at Cineworld on 19th June.
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