Its hard to believe that it has been 15 years since Toy Story had its first movie debut! I remember everything like yesterday......
I was 8 years old when the movie first hit cinemas all across the world, and even though my parents couldn't afford to take my siblings and i out to the movies to see this film, i was still excited to hear that the movie was out and soon following will be on VHS. Yes, I said VHS, it seems so weird saying that since everything now is Blueray or DVD format. But back to my story, One day after school my mom surprised my siblings and i with the long-awaited Toy Story on VHS, and i was ecstatic!! i could remember running over and quickly putting the VHS into the player, sitting impatiently through all of the movie previews, and then smiling with delight as i saw the famous Disney castle appear with the Disney jingle to go along, and then followed by the Pixar's mascot. For the next 80 minutes i was absorbed by the plot, and characters of this movie, falling more in love every minute that the movie went on. Woody, Buzz, and the gang were officially my new best friends. After the movie, i remember walking into my room, and taking a good look around at all my toys, thinking that maybe they were alive when i left the room...... Secretly, Hoping they were alive, after i left the room! lol!
A couple of years later, in 1999 Pixar/Disney rocked my world again with another addition to the Toy Story saga, by coming out with Toy Story 2. I was 12 when this film came out, and unlike many girls i was still an avid fan! Again i had to wait till the movie came out, and just as before my mother came home with this movie on VHS. And again i sat through the whole movie, and loving every minute of it. I was like a moth to a flame, but in this case it was a Toy story flame. hehe! But unlike the first movie, i began to experience something that i didn't before. I began to relate and form a friendship bond with these characters. I cried when they did, and laughed with them when they were happy, and cheered for them when they were in for the fight of their little toy lives. I loved each one of these characters, and just as before they continued to be a friendly sight.
Now we are in the year 2010, and i am 23 years old, married, and i have a beautiful daughter of my own, who reminds me
( as much as i try to shake it) of myself. When she sees something she loves, she loves it with all her heart and soul. So yesterday, my husband and i took our beautiful daughter to see Toy Story 3 during an afternoon matinee. We hopped in the car, with her stuffed Buzz light year in tote, and drove to the cinema. Upon arrival we bought our tickets, popcorn, bag of M&M's (her choice of treat), and a extra large drink to share. We walked into the theater not knowing what to expect, but as i glanced around it seems that many other Mom's had the same idea as i did, because the theater was FILLED with little children. We found our seats in the front so my daughter had some room to walk around, because all mothers know that a 2 year old can't sit for very long. We sat together as a family for the whole duration of the 103 minute film. Every now and then i would glance over to see my daughter sitting on my husbands lap, and staring up at the screen in awe with those big beautiful blue eyes, just as i did 15 years ago. It was great to see the whole gang back in action again, and just as i have, it was great to see Andy all grown up. The movie was wonderful!! I laughed and cried, and cried more than i laughed. It was great to see that buzz still has those old moves, and to see him tango with Jessy was probably my favorite part. This film was my favorite one, because it gave me the closure that i needed.
Yes, i said closure, because for the last 15 years i had a longtime friendship with the characters of these movies. These movies taught me that their are no better friends than those simple toys that we collect over years. They are always there for us, through good times and bad. They are there for us to play with as we consume ourselves into our own imaginary worlds, just for a little while, so that we may get away from this reality one that at times may be filled with despair. With my toys i have been to my own imaginary world of France, Italy, England, and Spain. I have been a princess, astronaut, teacher, and most importantly a best friend.
At the end of the movie Andy leaves for College, and when he donates the toys to a little girl he tells her the stories of his adventures, and then gets back into his car and looks back before driving off. He then smiles from the driver seat of his car and says the most fitting phrase of the entire movie, " Thanks guys". After driving off all the toys come alive, and Woody responds with " see you later partner". I have to admit, during these two scenes i was BALLING my eyes out. So Thank-you for the tears and laughter, because just as the toys found a new owner in the movie, my love for these films have now found a new place in the heart of my daughter. They will continue to be loved, for many years to come, even after i am gone!! So from me to them.......... " Thanks Guys".
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