Disney/Pixar have finally created their first short film, as opposed to a short the usually runs in front of their films. This does count as a film, right? But the opportunity to include "Toy Story Of TERROR!" was just too enticing to pass up. I love theses characters from the films and to take part in a new and creepy journey. The film reunites its principal stars Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack as well as old favorites such Don Rickles and Wallace Shawn. We even get to see a new character with Combat Carl, voiced by Carl Weathers.
The toys find themselves in a strange motel when their owner Bonnie (think back to the end of "Toy Story 3") and her mother get a flat tire on a trip. Inside the motel, Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles) goes off to find the free amenities when Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen) go off to gather Trixie (Kristen Schaal), Mr. Pricklepants (Timothy Dalton!!!) who joined them. Suddenly, they all begin to disappear one by one, taken by an unseen force, leaving it up to the toys to fend for themselves from an unknown force claiming them. They have until the next morning to get back into the bag which they were stored in, so they could make it home safe with Trixie.
Joan Cusack, Tim Allen, and Tom Hanks all return to voice Jesse, Buzz, and Woody in "Toy Story of TERROR!"
Pixar's short film is fun, cute, and exciting - packing in their signature style into 21 minutes worth of suspense! The story is super tight and has definite urgency. Our toys only have until 6am the next morning to find their way back! The downside to me is my love for Tom Hanks, so naturally, I'm a Woody fan and he takes a backseat to Jesse's story. This is very much her movie and overcoming obstacles to work toward a goal. A wholesome message, another reason why I love Pixar.
Interestingly enough, the film is packed from start to finish with music, scored by the great Michael Giacchino! His music reckons back to the days of 50's B-movie pictures, making great use of every section of the orchestra, particularly a theremin. Giacchino even recalls a couple of the "Toy Story" themes written by Randy Newman for the films.
I can't remember Mr. Pricklepants from the "Toy Story 3" too well, but I connected with him so much in this short. He's the movie expert who's telling the toys what to expect at every turn because of his knowledge of film (my kind of toy).
Jesse must step up to the plate to solve the disappearance of her friends in a mysterious motel
The third act brings in some new toys and instead of bogging down the script, as new characters late in a movie usually do, they add to the comedy and urgency of the story. They are down to the wire to get out of the motel and back to Bonnie. Their only hope is the tactical knowledge of Combat Carl and the teamwork of the other toys they meet.
I hope the Disney/Pixar plans to re-air "Toy Story of Terror!" sometime before Halloween or put it out on DVD. It's a cute, fun, and exciting short that shows the heart of the organization. It has a fantastic voice cast that provides an excellent connection to the films and instead of tiding me over until another "Toy Story" adventure is made, it left me wanting more! The only downside to this short is that we have to wait another long while to revisit these characters one more time, but I look forward to what Pixar has in store.
8/10
- Directed by Angus MacLane
- Written by Andrew Stanton & John Lasseter
- Runtime - 21 minutes
- 7.6 of 10 stars on IMDb
- 100% on Rotten Tomatoes
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