Boris
The scene is from the movie, Toy Story. The film revolves around the relationship between Andy, a young boy, and Woody, his toy cowboy. Woody believes that his friendship with Andy will never die. One day, a new toy comes out named Buzz Lightyear, and Woody is now faced with the realisation that he is no longer Andy’s favourite toy. Woody feels betrayed as Andy’s interest towards him becomes replaced for Buzz. He also feels jealous and resentful towards Buzz for stealing a place that was once his.
Buzz is a space ranger, and this suits his character because he is supposed to symbolise the “new”, since spaceships and astronauts are futuristic.
Woody is a sheriff. This suits his character because Woody is supposed to portray someone who is outdated, and the creators have decided his character as a cowboy for the purpose of describing this element.
The film does a beautiful job of creating dimensional and real characters, especially with Woody. Woody is a character designed to portray the struggle of being left behind. The scene above is when Woody notices that Andy’s cowboy bedsheet is replaced with one with an illustration of Buzz. Woody’s back is towards the audience, and this connects Woody and the audience because it means that they are sharing the same view of the bedsheet. The film illustrates Woody’s various emotions as he loses Andy’s love, such as feelings of abandonment, and jealousy. Buzz is also portrayed realistically in the scene where he is faced with the realisation that he is not an actual space ranger, but rather, a common toy.
Claire
The creators of the film use various symbols to portray its message. Andy is a boy, which means that he is capable of growth. Woody is an object, meaning that he is unable to change. Woody is Andy’s most cherished toy during his boyhood, however, as Andy matures, he develops other interests, and he no longer cares about Woody the way he used to. Andy’s growth causes Woody pain because he had believed that their friendship would last forever.
Toy Story is a powerful film because it is more than a story about a boy and his toy; it is a metaphor about the fear of losing the love that had meant everything to one’s existence.
