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Zachary Barrie

Dr. Clark

First Year Writing

29 March 2023

An Evolution of Toys

In 1995, Pixar released the first complete animated film Toy Story. The film was hailed as

an instant classic to both film critics and the public (Klady). The film went on to receive 28

awards, three Oscar nominations, and one Special Achievement Academy Award. In the years to

follow, three successful sequels were produced. Toy Story (1995) takes the audience into a world

where children’s toys come alive. The toys have a life of there own filled with action, adventure,

conflict, and comedy. 24 years later, after multiple sequels, Toy Story 4 (2019) is released. The

toys still have their own lives, but the viewer is introduced to new Toys and characters

(Deburge). Both the New York Times and Variety gave both the films excellent reviews. “This is

one entertainment that soars to new heights” (Klady). Along with, “the fourth movie wraps up

the saga beautifully” (Deburge), there is no denying the popularity of both films. Though both

works may be hailed as classics and have similar messaging about loyalty, friendship, and life

the themes of conflict and gender carry interesting differences.

Toy Story (1995) and Toy Story 4 (2019) take on different views on gender. The

differences seen can be reflective of the times in which the films were produced. In Toy Story

(1995), characters take on traditional gender roles which are demonstrated throughout the entity

of the film. In one of the first scenes, Bo Peep, a women wearing a formal dress, immediately

thanks Woody, a male sheriff, for protecting her. In this scene, Bo Peep was portrayed as a
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vulnerable lady who would not be safe alone. The costume Bo Peep is wearing helps paint the

picture of her vulnerability; she is wearing a long pink dress where it would be very difficult for

her to fight back if she was being attacked. Another scene occurring later the film, has Woody

directing toy soldiers to conduct a special mission. The solders are male figures with deep

voices. This portrays the traditional male role of strong and dominant. In addition, throughout the

entire film, the main character Andy, who is a male, has toys made for a male child. In contrast

Toy Story 4 (2019), has much more progressive gender roles. This is seen right from the

beginning when the characters needed to jump into action. Just like in the original, there is a

character who will need saving but this time, Jessie does and blocks Woody from doing so. Jessie

has long hair and is dressed as a sheriff. She is portrayed as a strong woman who can take care of

business. No longer is a male required to do that job. In addition, Bo Peep, while still dressed

femininely, takes a more dominant role in this first scene. She is commanding her flock on what

to do rather than standing idle waiting. Having female characters in leadership roles just like

male characters shows that gender is not a prerequisite to leadership.

Next, class is a theme displayed constantly throughout both films. Like in with gender,

the differences in class appearance can be reflective of the times the films were produced. In Toy

Story (1995), Sid is portrayed as the neighborhood bully and the kid who, as Rex says, “tortures

toys, just for fun”. He is not seen with high quality toys, his home is not well maintained, and his

clothes are ragged. This contrasts with Andy, who is portrayed as having newer and better toys.

Sid is seen putting explosives on a toy and blowing it up. The other toys seem disturbed and

express how they are excited to move away from Sid. No look is given into Sid’s home life or

background by the other characters in the film; in fact, the poor home situation helps to cast Sid

in the negative light. Sid is the bully who can’t be helped, and it is if he is beneath society. The
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toys he owns are seen as old and once Sid possess a toy, it is never coming back, Comparability

in Toy Story 4 (2019), the main character, Sporky, a plastic Spork, is literal trash. Throughout the

film, Sporky tries to make his way back to the trash. He sees himself as trash and wants to be

nothing more than trash. Sporky says “I don’t want to be a toy” Scene after scene, is Sporky

trying sneak away to the trash only to have Woody come and save him. Woody later explains to

Sporky “How lucky you are to be Bonnie’s toy” and then proceeds to look back at his time being

the favorite toy to Andy to convey how much of an honor the oppurtuinty is. In this film, Sporky,

who is literal trash and, according to class norms, should be an invisible character. After all, what

relevance does trash really have. However, he is the main character of the film and Bonnie’s

favorite toy. In Toy Story 4 (2019), a character who is trash is in the highest class of toys. This is

a striking contract from the first film where a character whose toys are not in the best condition

are owned by a bully and robber. Meanwhile, what could be described as a low-quality toy, is

held in the high regard in Toy Story 4 (2019). What Sporky is supposed to be, trash, is irrelevant

as what matter is what he is, which is Bonnies favorite Toy. What could be the neglected toy that

Sid owns in Toy Story (1995), is the highly regarded toy in Toy Story 4 (2019).

To conclude, both Toy Story (1995) and Toy Story 4 (2019) show the perspective of

gender and class have changed overtime. Toy Story (1995), though regarded as a classic film by

many, still contains traditional gender roles and a view that looks down among members of lower

classes. In the male character of Woody takes the dominant role and makes it known that he is in

charge. Anytime danger is nearby, Woody is there to defend the other toys. In addition, Sid is

seen as the neighbor next door who does not take care of his toys. In fact, he is seen as an abuser

of his toys. The toys that he owns do not look cared full. In contrast, Toy Story 4 gives a much

more prominent role to Jessie and Bo peep. They are seen as strong female leaders capable of
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doing everything that Woody could do. The same transformation occurs looking at class

structures. In Toy Story 4, no longer are members of a lower class treated with such negligence,

as they are with Sid. Rather, toys who would be considered worthless to most people are treat

with high regard and important. Forky, who is literal trash, is Bonnies favorite toy and one of the

most important of the film. As franchises continue to evolve, they adapt to new societal standards

allowing for a transformation of characters, themes, and plot. Toy Story to Toy Story 4 is just one

example of have film franchises adapt their films to the current societal standards.
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Works Cited

Cooley, Josh. Toy Story 4. Walt Disney Studio Motion Pictures, 2019

Dargis, Manohla. “'Toy Story 4' Review: Playtime's Over.” The New York Times, The New York

Times, 20 June 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/20/movies/toy-story-4-

review.html#:~:text=The%20animation%20is%20striking%2C%20the,well%2Doiled

%20machine%20like%20Pixar.

Debruge, Peter. “Film Review: 'Toy Story 4'.” Variety, Variety, 24 June 2019,

https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/toy-story-4-review-1203241658.

Klady, Leonard. “Toy Story.” Variety, Variety, 20 Nov. 1995,

https://variety.com/1995/film/reviews/toy-story-2-1200443736/.

Lasseter, John. Toy Story. Buena Vista Pictures, 1995.

Maslin, Janet. “Film Review;There's a New Toy in the House. Uh-Oh.” The New York Times,

The New York Times, 22 Nov. 1995, https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/22/movies/film-

review-there-s-a-new-toy-in-the-house-uh-oh.html.