"To infinity...and beyond!" (No. 99: Toy Story)

Seventeen years ago, (yes, 17...it made me sad, as well) Disney joined forces with a little-known company called Pixar to create the first fully computer-animated feature-length film. Forgive me for being dramatic, but, in that endeavor, a star was born. Several stars, in fact.
"Toy Story" was released in 1995, and is one of the first films I remember going to see in the theater. I have only seen it a handful of times since then, but I'm not being dramatic when I say it changed the film industry and influenced an entire generation with its style, humor, and catchphrases like, "That's not flying – that's falling with style!" Maybe more than one generation.
As a kid, I loved it because it was funny, it was fast-paced, it was something different, and it created characters every kid my age could believe in. I'd always wanted to believe that animals and stuffed teddy bears could talk – this movie helped keep the dream alive for a few more years.
Watching it for the first time as an adult, I only appreciated it more. First of all, I appreciate more the influence it has had on the film industry. Secondly, I appreciate the first film as a labor of love, rather than the "Toy Story" franchise Disney has marketed to death. But, mostly, I appreciate the film.
The characters are hilarious and empathetic. The writing is fantastic. The villain, Sid, who traumatized my entire generation, is still fairly creepy and more than a little disturbing.
Another fun thing for adult viewers are all the little extra "inside jokes" Pixar puts into its films. I don't want to give anything away, but, if you're paying attention, you'll see them.
To me, that's what makes a family or "children's" movie timeless – when it is as entertaining for adults as it is for kids. Like the Genie in "Aladdin" or Cogsworth in "Beauty and the Beast." It's funny when you're a kid, and even funnier when you're an adult and realize you didn't completely get it as a kid. "Toy Story" does that – it transcends. Nostalgia aside, the film creates a world filled with fun and color and action, a little bit of danger, and a lot of laughs. And some great lines. Next up: "Yankee Doodle Dandy."