The ending as a tribute to Lasseter and PIXAR (spoilers)

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#1

7 hours after posting this on imdb, and noone wants to read deep introspection into the ending. Here’s what I thought of yesterday:

Some have said it is just [spoil]wrong for Andy to have given his toys away, but in actuality, that’s what PIXAR has done with the Toy Story movies.[/spoil]

One story that Lasseter recounted was how he and his family were in Texas to change flights. As they were in line, they saw this little boy waiting for someone to arrive, and he was holding a Woody doll. Lasseter’s sons told him, “Dad, tell that kid who you are!” aka “tell him you helped create Woody and directed Toy Story!”

But Lasseter didn’t, and on seeing that little boy so enamored with Woody the cowboy as much as Andy was, Lasseter thought, “even though we created these characters and even though they are a part of us, they now belong to the world.”

[spoil]Bonnie could very much be a stand-in for that little boy when she receives Andy. Much as Lasseter gave Woody and those characters to the world, Andy does the same by giving those toys to Bonnie.

When Andy says his ‘thanks guys’ and drives off, it could also be seen as the crew of PIXAR saying the same thing. “Toy Story” was what put them on the map, and those characters meant alot to them. They weren’t going to throw them into inferior sequels and Lasseter had Steve Jobs push for some resolution during the Eisner-era, when Circle 7 Animation was planning TS4-5 without PIXAR’s input.

All good things must come to an end, and as Andy heads off to new adventures in college, PIXAR does the same thing in the wake of the Toy Story films.[/spoil] Even though there are several sequels slated for PIXAR films, the company is still going to develop in-house ideas, be it shorts or feature-films.

EDIT- Please use spoiler tags when revealing spoilers about the film, thanks!

-lizardgirl

#2

That was… deep. :cry:

#3

Thanks. Toy Story’s been on my mind alot in the last few days, as my Grandmother passed away a few days ago. I’ve been listening to the last track by Randy Newman alot in the last few days as well.

[spoil]Much like how the toys experienced one last ‘Playtime with Andy,’ I found comfort in remembering my last Playtime with my Grandmother.

Being Chinese, we were taught how to play Mahjong by her, and in the last 4-6 years, her health had been steadily declining. I would often wonder if I’d get the chance for one more game.

And on February 6th of this year (my 30th birthday), that wish came true. We were also celebrating my Grandmother’s 90th, and my Aunt’s birthday as well (Grandma’s B-day was Feb 4, my Aunt’s Feb 5).

The collective energy of the group lifted her up, and as evening approached, two tables were set up for Mahjong, and I think back on that moment these days for comfort.[/spoil]

#4

Aw, I sorry to hear that, uruseiranma. :frowning:

#5

That’s sad, but really sweet about your grandmother. Your insights into Toy Story were great. I love it when people really think about the movies they watch, as opposed to, “that was cool!”. Very nice.

#6

Yeah, I agree. :sunglasses:

#7

Glad to see so. I like to read into things; it makes it more fun!! :smiley:

#8

Glad to know I’m among fans here.

imdb easily devolves into multiple topics regarding [spoil]The Incinerator Scene[/spoil], or how PIXAR is trying to corrupt young minds regarding Ken’s ‘tastes.’

PIXAR films appeal to me because I can always find some moment to relate to a part of my life- whether it be Wall-E’s shy but lonesome wish to hold someone’s hand (a theme that was also part of Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands), or Carl starting a new adventure (my Dad did the same last year when he retired, and I got him an ‘Up’ Hawaiian shirt for Christmas).

#9

It amazes me how immature some 45 yr olds on IMDB are compared to the 17 yr olds we have here who are kind and courteous. We defintely have a good group here on PP.

#10

You’re right about that! :sunglasses:

#11

On imdb, I do get tired of wasting my breath defending Cars 2, which some keep thinking is just a marketing move that was pushed on PIXAR by Disney.

#12

I was skeptical, but now that John is on board, I’m cool with Cars 2. As far as mortals go, JL is pretty darn close to infallible.

#13

That was a very truthful tribute, and perfectly sums up my feelings about the film. In a way, not only is Pixar saying good bye to Toy Story, but the audience is saying good bye and, personally, I’m saying good bye to my childhood. I grew up with many things as a child and they all eventually wrapped themselves up and I was able to continue with my life, except for Toy Story. I’ve been waiting for the series to conclude for nearly a decade, and I’ve kept it held up inside me all that time. Once the ending scene of Toy Story 3 appeared, my childhood was finally complete. For that especially, among everything else the company does, I thank you Pixar.

#14

John loves telling that story, and I never really thought to compare it to the ending of Toy Story 3. Then again, Lee did mention that they had the original idea for a while.

#15

I really like this story, thanks for sharing it to us! It’s very interesting how the end of the Toy Story trilogy is a metaphore (is that the right word?) for Pixar sharing Toy Story with the world.

#16

If your meaning as in symbolism or analogy, then yes, that’s the right word. It’s spelled “metaphor”, though. :wink: :smiley:

#17

Ha, thanks! Everything I learned in high school I drained out on Grad Night!

#18

Glad the thinking is appreciated here.

I heard Lasseter mention that story several times over the years, and I have wondered about sending a letter to Lee Unkrich if this really could have been the inspiration.

#19

Yeah,. it is a pretty cool story. I’ve never heard it myself :smiley:

#20

You should try! You never know if he’ll write back