The Real of the Reel
The Real of the Reel
The Key to Glory in the Toy Story
Friendship/Love: Part 5 of 5 (Toy Story)
**Major Spoiler Alert!!**
Twelve Treasured Toys
The Reel:
Toy Story is beloved by millions around the world for many reasons. For the beautiful animation and creativity. The art of epic storytelling. The voice acting of the likes of Tim Allen, Tom Hanks, and Wallace Shawn. The humor and the heart. But above all what makes a memorable story? Or in this case a story made up of three epic chapters told over the course of fifteen years? Characters. No made how good a script or the witty lines thrown at us–a story without characters is not worth telling. The audience must care about, emulate, and embrace at bare minimum the main protagonist. What makes Toy Story so special is that there are an entire family of beloved characters that we have come to know and love. As we begin the final chapter of the Toy Story saga, a few have moved on and are no longer present. There are now twelve remaining toys—Woody, Buzz, the three green aliens, Hamm, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, Slinky Dog, Rex, Jessie, and Bullseye.
These toys are know a close knit family each having special and unique relationships with each other. Each carries a special place in Andy’s heart, only the passage of time has created a crisis among the toys. Their worst fear is now realized. Andy was outgrown them and there’s nothing they can do about it. What now, they ask? What’s the next part of their journey. Uncertainty and panic begin to rise. Their alternative route to the attic isn’t exactly a trip to paradise either. But early on the toys realize that they must stick together despite the very cloudy outlook of their situation.
The Real:
In life, we come to know people in many arenas of life. Our flesh and blood family, friends, classmates, neighbors, and church family. Only naturally do we come to know and create bonds with some people more than others. But there’s one thing that glues relationships together and separates strangers and those closest to us–friendship. Friendship is the key to an relationship. It may seem trite to state but it’s true. Friendship within the context of love is the greatest gift we can give some else. Toy Story is a beautiful illustration on this essential and eloquent truth.
Strawberry Scented Stench
“So this is it? After all we’ve been through.” Woody
The Reel:
When the toys meet Lotso they are immediately taken in by his warm and friendly demeanor. And he smells like strawberries! Sunnyside seemed like the start of something special. Woody, though, is unconvinced and claims that they are “selfish” for not being there for Andy. Jessie and the others have come to the conclusion that Andy doesn’t care about them anymore and it’s over. Who’s right? Well, they’re both right in a sense. In an instant, the family begins to crumble and Woody is out the door.
Their perceived paradise instantly becomes a prison. Lotso isn’t the soft and lovable teddy bear we once were led to believe. He is a bully, liar, and manipulator. We soon learn why Lotso is this way he is in a flashback montage told by Chuckles. He, like Woody, was “special” through the eyes of a child. Daisy was this child’s name. Daisy took Lotso everywhere and “loved Lotso more than any child could love a toy.” Then one day Lotso, 
Big Baby, and Chuckles were left behind at a rest stop after Daisy fell asleep and was carried back to her car. After a grueling, long trek back to her house Lotso discovers a horrifying truth. He has been replaced with another Lots O’ Huggin Bear. Chuckles sees the truth along with him, but Big Baby does not. Lotso then snaps and begins his dark descent into the character he becomes in Toy Story 3. He lies to Big Baby telling him that they were all replaced. They end up at Sunnyside and Lotso turns the entire daycare into a prison with a pyramid of command where he is on top.
Lotso’s worldview is now twisted and warped. Not only does he believe that kids don’t really love toys, but he has forsaken love entirely. He presumably had a strong friendship with both Chuckles and Big Baby. As Chuckles tells us after they arrive at Sunnyside, “But Lotso wasn’t my friend anymore, he wasn’t anyone’s friend.” Chuckles got broke and fortunately Bonnie took him home. Big Baby accepted the lie and was manipulated to do Lotso’s bidding. Now Andy’s toys are imprisoned against their will because as Lotso tells them “so that the Caterpillar kids have toys to play with.” But in reality, Lotso is completely against family and when he sees Andy’s toys, a close knit family, he will stop at nothing but to break it apart.
For better version in HD visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhkNUIAy6zM&feature=related
The Real:
We’ve all been hurt from time to time from those we love. With love comes much pain as we come to realize growing up. We say things in the heat of the moment, act out of jealously, are stubborn in our pride, and choose selfishness over sacrifice. Some of these offenses come and go and we’re willing to forgive and forget. But the closer we are to someone, the more pain they can bring us. Like Lotso, we have a choice. To forgive and move on or take vengeance. Let our anger and hurt dictate our attitude and actions. Lotso could have accepted the truth of the matter and embraced the fact that he still had his two best friends with him to support and uplift him through the trails they were about to face. Instead, he choose to let his vengeance overtake him and in the process forsake friendship altogether. The lesson here is not an easy one to practice. Forgiveness. The deeper the scar, the harder it is to let go. It can be a betrayal of trust. Physical abuse. Being abandoned. The truth of the matter is that without God we cannot forgive someone. To forgive someone does not mean to forget. It means to let go of hurt and pain and hand it over to God. Only He can give us the strength and peace we need. And we need others to give us solid wisdom, encourage us, and comfort us as we battle our emotions.
The War of Worldviews
The Reel:
When Woody discovers the horrible truth that Sunnyside is a place of “ruin and despair” he stays true to his character and quickly comes his friends aid. As the leader of this family, he is quick to formulate a plan on how to break out of Sunnyside. He is aided in his knowledge by the “lifer” of the Sunnyside toys–the chatter telephone. They find a way to contain Buzz, get rid of the monkey, and unlock the door. Barbie assists in getting Ken to reveal where Buzz’s owner manual is after a comical sequence of Ken trying on his many outfits. Buzz then goes from “astro-nut” to Spanish Salsa dancer! His feelings for Jessie are bare for all to see as he can’t help but express his true emotions. The toys then elude Big Baby and reach their target. Which happens to be the dumpster. What could go possibly wrong…. right?
Just as we are ready to breathe a sigh of relief, Lotso booms back into the picture. He broke the Chatter telephone both physically and emotionally in order to find out about their plot to escape. What comes next is a war of words or more like worldviews between Lotso and Woody:
Lotso: “I didn’t throw you away. Your kid did. Ain’t one kid ever loved a toy, really. Chew on that when you’re at the dump.”
Woody: “Wait. What about Daisy?”
Lotso: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Woody: “Daisy? You used to do everything with her?”
Lotso: “Yeah, then she threw us out.”
Woody: “No, she lost you.”
Lotso: “She *replaced* us!”
Woody: “She replaced *you*, and if you couldn’t have her, then no one could! You lied to Big Baby and you’ve been lying ever since!”
Woody: “She loved you, Lotso.”
Lotso: “She never *loved* me!”
Woody: “As much as any kid ever loved a toy.”
Lotso: “WE’RE ALL JUST TRASH WAITIN’ TO BE THROWN AWAY! THAT’S ALL A TOY IS!”
The Real:
The enemy wants us to believe, like Lotso came to accept, that God doesn’t love us. That we aren’t worth His attention or concern. That we’re insignificant and have no value. Lotso not only came to accept the lie that kids never loved toys, but in the process lost his identity. Without love, toys had no meaning and were nothing but pieces of plastic destined to be thrown away. This is the worldview apart from Christ we are manipulated to believe. Not there is no God or if He does exist, He is distant from us. We’re all alone. And we have no real purpose, meaning, or significance to our existence. But it’s a bold faced lie. God exists and created each and every one of us to be loved, to love, and to know love. Our faith in this belief will be tested, just as it was for Woody and the toys. God at times may seem distant and uncaring. The question of why we experience pain, heartbreak, injustice, and sorrow can never be completely answered. But we have a choice–to remain loyal and hold fast to His love like Woody or choose indifference that brings despair like Lotso. This shapes our worldview, our future, and how we live our lives.
Not so with Lotso
“Where is your kid now, sheriff?!” Lotso
The Reel:
Big Baby after hearing this, redeems himself and throws Lotso into the dumpster. The toys are relieved and it appears like they’ll escape the incoming garbage truck. But a green alien is stuck in the dumpster lid and Woody rescues him in the nick of time. But then Woody is pulled into the dumpster with Lotso and all hell begins to break loose. Within a matter of minutes the stakes continue to rise and we are left grasping for breath. This is it—the impending doom every toy fears above all else–they’re headed to the landfill.
Buzz heroically saves Jessie from incoming trash, risking his life, and in the process has his memory restored. They are deposited into the Tri-County landfill. The green aliens run off to investigate an industrial claw and in horror are swept away. Before we can gather ourselves and think about what may have happened to them, we’re introduced to more danger. A shedder. The toys quickly realize that their escape is via a magnetic conveyor belt. Lotso suddenly appears and is stuck wedged in trash. Woody and Buzz don’t hesitate to come to his aid despite all he has done to them. They have little reason to help him, but do so anyways.
For a complete video footage of Spanish Buzz visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBEGaCzOE9g&feature=related
Then we see a bright light and at first it’s thought to be daylight. But then the greatest horror is revealed–they are headed straight towards an incinerator . Panic and desperation are now in order. The toys try there hardest to fight the pull towards there impending doom. Lotso notices a button that will shut off the conveyor belt. He is the only one tall enough to reach the ladder and is assisted by the other toys. He climbs to the top and this is where we are led to believe that Lotso will have a change of heart. He’ll redeem himself…right? A nice happy ending. Wrong. Lotso is fully aware of the situation and chooses to condemn the toys for their belief in love. He taunts, “Where is your kid now, sheriff?!” and walks away. The toys are horrified in disbelief falling into the abyss of fire.
The Real:
Another hard and difficult lesson is taught here even if we don’t particularly like it—some people(in this case, toys) can’t be changed. No matter how much we want a person to be redeemed and accept grace–some don’t and choose themselves as god. Also injustices do happen and life is unfair. Did the toys deserve to be rescued from Lotso? Yes. They showed great resolve and loved their greatest enemy. Just as we should love our enemies as ourselves. But it didn’t happen. We, too, face difficult circumstances that are unfair. An unborn child. Being laid off from our job. Being diagnosed with cancer. We are faced with a choice–to trust in love and know God is in control or wallow in self-pity and complain. It is far from easy but we reassured that God’s promises are true and never waver. For He never changes and remains the same.
The Claw!
“Buzz, what do we do?” Jessie
The Reel:
If you haven’t already been to feel the heat–you now do. It’s extremely hot now and your heart begins to race. This is it–the toys are out of options. Right before them is the pit of hell and there seems to be no escape. We, as the audience, have little time to come up with any resolution to how they can possibly come out of this alive. Instead of panicking and not giving up on escaping–the toys choose to acknowledge that it’s over. They realize now that love is more important than anything else and begin to take each other hands in one of the most moving, powerful scenes Hollywood has ever dared to attempt. One by one they hold hand forming a chain of friendship within this close knit family. Then Buzz offers his hand to Woody. It echoes back to when Woody refused to shake his hand during the breakup at Sunnyside. This time Woody grabs hold of Buzz’s hand and the nine family members are ready to accept their fate and die. This is the end….
As the heart pounding cymbals and percussion grow louder, in an instant we see a bright blue light. We hear a heavenly choir and from above salvation comes in the form in the most unlikely way; yet at the same time fitting way–a claw! The green aliens exclaim, “the claw!!” and we can finally breathe again. The green aliens have repaid their debt to Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. They express their deepest gratitude for saving them and the everyone breathes a sigh of relief. Their love for each other as saved them and fought salvation in their darkest hour.
For full scene, including Lotso’s decision visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rGgQ7rSaD0
As for Lotso, he ends up as a hood ornament for a garbage man. A living death where he’s stripped down from his power and being within shouting distance of the dump. The toys have to get back to Andy quickly and find more unlikely help–from Sid, who is driving a garbage truck. They arrive back at Andy’s, wash up, and quickly race back to his room.
The Real:
When in the face of death–love is the only thing that makes sense. All our accomplishments, success, job titles, places we’re traveled seem trivial. We want to be surrounded by loved ones…not possessions. Through all the toys had been through in the many years they spend in Andy’s room they formed a family. They fought, had disagreements, and had their differences but through it all they formed a special bond with each other. As they faced their impending death this clearly shown through the brightest. These characters were willing to do anything for each other. We, too, need to grab hold of these truths. To be there for each other as we face our darkest hour. Be willing to make sacrifices for them–even our own life. For there’s no greater love than this, just as we saw Buzz risk his life to save Jessie’s. Is our love for others so strong that we’d put our very life on the line for them? But the story doesn’t end there, we now come to the final farewell scene.
The Toys Are Us
The Reel:
The toys are headed off to the attic. Woody’s off to college. Everyone is at peace now with their destination. This could have been the ending. But it wasn’t. Thanks to Woody coming to the realization that he needed to let go of Andy and it was the right thing to do–the toys are going to be donated to Bonnie. We are led to believe that Woody isn’t with them. Andy then hands each toy are carefully to Bonnie with a loving, sentimental sendoff to each toy. He describes each one as he saw them, even if it was contrary to their true identity revealed when they were alive(like Rex). Then Bonnie finds Woody at the bottom of the box and is very hesitant to giving up his best buddy from his childhood. In some ways, Woody subconsciously was a father figure to him. A father he never had. He then lovely tells Bonnie how he saw Woody:
“Now Woody, he’s been my pal for as long as I can remember. He’s brave, like a cowboy should be. And kind, and smart. But the thing that makes Woody special, is he’ll never give up on you… ever. He’ll be there for you, no matter what.”
Woody’s faith in Andy is justified. His loyalty was paid off. The toys get once last playtime with Andy, a playtime they have been craving for years. Andy returns to his car to head off to college. Bonnie waves Woody’s hand and Andy whispers, “Thanks guys.” The camera pans into the sky where our story began. A new journey of friendship with Bonnie has begun. But Andy will always be with Woody and the other toys. Leaving a legacy of love.
The Real:
Andy was a special kid who had a very vivid and active imagination. What separated him from most kids, though, was his love for his toys. Although he stopped playing with them as he grew up—he treasured the memories he had with them. But he soon realized he had to move on, let go of them, and place them into loving hands. If you’re a parent you have and soon will be faced with the day when you’ll have to let go of our child. Into the world on their own. Woody and Andy both came to this realization that even though they weren’t going to be with each other physically; they would carry each other’s love in their heart.
There are so many lessons, valuable truths, and wisdom that we find throughout the Toy Story trilogy. Why do we love these characters so much? Because they’re like us. The toys are us. Although their fears of being replaced, outgrown by a child, and thrown into the trash are part of a unique point of view of a toy; we see ourselves in all of these scenarios too in many ways. That’s why Toy Story is so special to us…because the toys seem so real, so genuine to human nature.
Toy Story addresses the deepest and most profound issues of our existence: Identity, purpose, belonging, friendship, love, morality, and death. But above all we find that the key to glory for a toy is love. Love found in the context of friendship. This corresponds to reality for us as Christians too. Love is the reason for our existence. We were made to love and to be loved by God. Just like the toys were made to be loved by a child. We can choose to embrace a world where love doesn’t exist like Lotso or never give up on love like Woody. This makes all the difference in the end. For with Christ, there are no goodbyes and no closing chapter to the story. God’s story of love has no end and each chapter is greater than the last. Take your place in His story and choose love. For this story goes for “infinity and beyond!”
