Paideia: To Infinity . . . and Beyond!

On November 22, 1995, Pixar's first feature film, Toy Story, was released.

It's hard to imagine that 16 years have passed. But when you pause to consider all the Pixar movies that have since come, things fall into perspective. Including Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and WALL-E, these films have set the standard for cinematic CGI animation. Yet, this success was founded upon a simple story about the secret life of toys.

The Toy Story trilogy is among my favorite series of films. Each movie is a "stand alone" feature, but continues to build upon character interaction and delineate personality nuances. Although accessible for children, the stories are equally as engaging for adults. In terms of plot, each movie presents a distinct type of conflict, resolved with a compelling mix of thrills and humor, in defiance of memorable antagonists.

Toy Story poster (1995)

Fun Stuff!

I'm mixed about future Toy Story films. On one hand, I enjoy these characters so much that I wouldn't mind seeing them again, but, on the other hand, the story has reached a strong and appropriate conclusion. I worry that any future movie will only detract from the sense of resolution that the trilogy attained.