Toy Story – 30 years on
Jason Wright looks at a turning point in recent cinematic history
When Toy Story premiered in 1995, it was hailed as a technological marvel: the first feature-length film created entirely with computer animation. Thirty years later, what stands out most is not only the revolution it sparked in filmmaking, but the remarkable staying power of its storytelling, characters, and emotional core.
Directed by John Lasseter and produced by Pixar in partnership with Disney, Toy Story could easily have been remembered as a mere proof of concept for new technology. Instead, it delivered a story of surprising depth. Woody (voiced with warmth and nuance by Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (a pitch-perfect Tim Allen) embody an eternal human tension — tradition versus innovation, insecurity versus confidence, rivalry versus friendship. Their arc from antagonism to loyalty provides the film with a dramatic spine that feels as fresh today as it did three decades ago.
What makes Toy Story extraordinary is its balance of wit, visual invention, and heart. The screenplay, crafted by a team including Joss Whedon and Andrew Stanton, is sharp and economical, filled with humour that appeals across age groups. Randy Newman’s score and songs, particularly the now-classic “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” provide both levity and poignancy. And while the animation has inevitably been surpassed in sophistication by later films, its clarity of design and storytelling still shine.
Beyond its artistry, Toy Story marked a turning point for cinema itself. It validated computer-generated animation as a medium capable not just of spectacle, but of telling deeply human stories. The legacy of that breakthrough can be seen in every major animated feature since — including Pixar’s own extraordinary body of work.
Thirty years on, Toy Story is more than a pioneering achievement: it is a classic of modern cinema. Its themes of identity, belonging, and friendship remain universal, while its characters feel as alive today as they did in 1995. To celebrate its anniversary is to recognise a film that didn’t simply change animation — it elevated the very possibilities of storytelling on screen.
