'Toy Story of Terror' - A Movie Review

Remember. Don’t give up. You are strong. You will find a way.

Toy Story of Terror takes place on a stormy night. Unfortunately, Bonnie’s family is stranded at the Sleep Well Motel due to a flat tire. Exploring, the toys find that something isn’t right and start to disappear one by one.

Six years ago, I hurriedly flipped the channel to catch Toy Story of Terror! I was so excited! If I could somehow travel back in time and see myself watching this short film, I will take along some popcorn. Toy Story of Terror is a suspenseful short film that uncovers positive outcomes on how to cope with fears.

All your favorite Toy Story voices return to lend their incredible energy into a well-written story. Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Wallace Shawn, Timothy Dalton, Kristen Schaal, and the late Don Rickles as the sarcastic Mr. Potato Head.

Joining the cast, Stephen Tobolowsky is memorable as the hotel owner who has darker plans behind his customers back. There are also some special appearances by Carl Weathers, Kate McKinnon, Peter Sohn, Ken Marina, Christian Roman, and many others in this comedic and dramatic ride.

I am most impressed by Joan Cusack. She has inhabited her role as the enthusiastic, but inwardly struggling cowgirl, Jessie. Jessie is one of my favorite characters, because she has overcome so much. Her battles with her anxieties may not be over, but she develops a way to cope.

You can never judge others in their own battles with mental health. It is all based on how you look at the world. That’s a great lesson for all audiences. We may never get over fears or bad memories, but Instead, we can figure out a way to cope.

Combat Carl is a motivational character. While he is gruff and harsh, he is only trying to help people develop a way to cope. In the end, he has become one of my favorite characters, even passing along helpful guidance to me whenever I feel that I am in situations out of my comfort zone.

My favorite part about this short is the relationship between Buzz and Jessie. The writers definitely spoiled viewers with cute Buzz and Jessie moments, whether it was just a hand on the back in comfort, hugging, or emotional support. Writers developed their relationship since Toy Story 3. Pixar succeeded in the subtleties of Buzz and Jessie’s relationship.

I always have a laugh at Pricklepants referencing the build-up of horror films. Toy Story nails comedy no matter what. I especially get a laugh in the scene where Woody and Buzz are trying to figure out what Potato Head’s arm is indicating.

Speaking of which, I felt that there were some out-of-character moments. While it may have been due to a different perspective, there were times where Woody was absent from aiding his friends in danger. Since the film focuses on Jessie, the writers should have had a scene that involved Woody instead of ignoring him.

Pixar has come a long way in animation. The effects of rain or the toys traveling through a dark section of the hotel were beautiful and eerie. Pixar is all about capturing every detail from spider webs ,and even blink-and-you-miss-it moments. Look very closely at an important address label.

Toy Story of Terror is a motivational Pixar short about facing and overcoming fears. It is a very entertaining story, especially with all our Toy Story friends. So, get that snake out of your boot, find a friend and watch this spooky short for a fun evening.