Toy Story and Globalization

A Political and Cultural Study

By Pam Andes and Krunal Thakore
 Toy Story
• Toy Story is a 1995 American
computer-animated family/buddy
film, directed by John Lasseter
and featuring the voices of Tom
Hanks and Tim Allen.
• The film was produced by Pixar
Animation Studios and was
distributed by Buena Vista
Distribution.
• It was written by Joss Whedon,
Andrew Stanton, Joel Cohen, and
Alec Sokolow, and featured music
by Randy Newman.
• It was the first feature film
released to use only computer-
generated imagery.

June 5, 2024 2/18

 Toy Story’s Plot

June 5, 2024 3/18

 Toy Story’s political and
cultural messages

Woody represents Americana - authentic (imagined) America

He reflects the value of hand made items that are made locally, using traditional skills.
He’s probably from the Fifties, but typically difficult to locate in time
He’s wooden and probably hand-made, having human input, possibly family-made

Buzz Lightyear represents Modernity

He is from outer space, but more probably from China
He claims he can fly (but he can’t)
He’s very likeable, though appearances are deceptive.
He’s muscular, with an idealised male body shape
 Toy Story
Grobalization of Nothing?

• The reality is this, my house is filled with many

Buzz Lightyears and only 2 Woodys.
• But the point is not that my 5 year old has more
Buzz Lightyears than Woody’s.
• The point is that I have many products from this
movie such as shirts, shoes, toys, and even eggs!

June 5, 2024 5/18

 Thanks for watching

June 5, 2024 6/18