Toy Story, the first fully computer-animated film, is released

Toy Story Released: November 22, 1995 Studio: Disney Genre: animation/comedy/family Box Office (numbers in millions): Domestic: 191.80 Worldwide: 373.60 Adjusted for Inflation: Domestic: 449.58 Worldwide: 744.30

Directing: John Lasseter Screenwriting: Joss Whedon, Andrew Stanton, Joel Cohen, Alec Sokolow Starring: voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Annie Potts, Wallace Shawn, Jim Varney, John Ratzenberger Review: Pixar Studios were pioneers in CGI animation, creating the Oscar-nominated short Luxo Jr. in 1986 and the Oscar-winning short Tin Story in 1988. In 1995, they took another great leap forward with Toy Story, the first feature-length film completely animated by computers. The groundbreaking special effects “were surpassed only by the intelligent, thoughtful script that had adult themes that both parents and their kids could relate to.” FS “It’s a perfectly formed story, about friendship, love, fear of abandonment, workplace politics and self-identity. While its ability to make you laugh is undiminished.” EM’18 The story focuses on a boy named Andy and his toys, who come to life when no humans are around. Cowboy Woody (Hanks) is the favorite. There’s also “Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head, Wallace Shawn as Rex, a meek dinosaur, Jim Varney as Slinky Dog, John Ratzenburger as Hamm the Pig, and Annie Potts as Woody’s sweetheart, Bo Peep).” FS A rivalry ensues when Woody’s status as top toy is challenged by the “new hi-tech space and action-toy Buzz Lightyear (voice by Tim Allen)” FS which Andy gets for his birthday. The “doltish” AFI07 and “deluded Buzz believes he’s on a mission to save the planet” FS instead of a child’s toy. Woody and Buzz have to learn to work together, though, when they get “trapped in the house of Sid, a sadistic bully in the neighborhood.” FS “Groundbreaking computer animation creates the world of Woody, a toy cowboy who suddenly finds himself as the second-favorite toy. Replaced by the newer and very high tech, but doltish, Buzz Lightyear, Woody gets accused of killing Buzz by tossing him out the window. It’s a race to get him back. ‘To infinity and beyond!’” AFI07 Sources: AFI07 American Film Institute (2007). “AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies – 10th Anniversary Edition” EM’18 Empire (3/20/2018). “The 100 Greatest Movies” FS Filmsite.org “100 Greatest Films”

Awards/Honors/Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Genre Lists: Oscars: Wins: 0 Nominations: 3 – Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Musical or Comedy Score (Randy Newman), Best Song (“You’ve Got a Friend”) Other Awards: Other Lists/Honors: First posted 5/28/2023.

The Princess Bride opened

The Princess Bride Released: September 25, 1987 Studio: 20th Century Fox Genre: fantasy/action/romance/comedy Box Office (numbers in millions): Domestic: 30.86 Worldwide: -- Adjusted for Inflation: Domestic: 66.03 Worldwide: --

Directing: Rob Reiner Screenwriting: William Goldman Starring: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Christopher Guest, Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, André the Giant, Peter Falk, Fred Savage, Billy Crystal, Carol Kane Review: The Princess Bride is “a warm and silly fairy-tale, played with giddy delight by all concerned and directed with a rich vein of humour by Rob Reiner.” EM13 William Goldman wrote the original novel as an “affectionate pastiche of romantic fairy-tale stories” E18 and then adapted the screenplay as a “sly attack on Hollywood’s tendency to ignore the simple beauty of storytelling.” EM13 The story is framed by a grandfather (Falk) reading to his sick grandson (Savage), who feigns disinterest but is eventually captivated by the tale of Buttercup (Wright) who is kidnapped by Prince Humperinck (Sarandon) and her love Westley (Elwes) coming to her rescue. Throughout the movie, characters deliver excellent parodies of fairy tale tropes: as the “dashing hero” Westley “seems to have dug up Errol Flynn’s swagger” E13 and Buttercup serves as a “fair damsel in distress…who seems to have drifted in from a sitcom.” E13 Swordsman Inigo (Patinkin) delivers “a bouncy dash…stolen wholesale by Antonio Banderas for his Zorro.” E13 We also get a wedding speech from a tongue-tied minister, Billy Crystal and Carol Kane as a comic wizardly duo, André the Giant as a loveable, well, giant, and Wallace Shawn as his brainy sidekick. It all adds up to a beloved story that skewers fairy tales even as it displays great affection for them. Sources: E18 Empire (3/20/2018). “The 100 Greatest Movies” E13 Empire (1/1/2013). “Princess Bride Review” by Ian Natan WK A (). Wikipedia

Accolades: Dave’s Movie Database Lists: Oscars: Wins: 0 Nominations: 1: Best Original Song (“Storybook Love”) Hall of Fames: Lists: Experts’ Picks: Genre Lists: First posted 5/27/2025.