Toy Story

The first feature-length computer-animated film, won a Special Academy Award and multiple international honors. In 2005, it was added to the U.S. National Film Registry for its cultural and historical significance, becoming an animation classic.

Movie Recap

Toy Story is about a cowboy named Woody, who is little Andy’s favorite toy. But on Andy’s birthday, he receives a new toy — the cool-looking, high-tech Buzz Lightyear. Andy starts to play with Buzz more, which makes Woody feel threatened and insecure. Woody fears being replaced, and even more so, being left behind when Andy’s family moves.

The film tells the story of how Woody goes from being jealous of Buzz Lightyear to teaming up with him. Together, they go through all kinds of dangers and eventually catch up with Andy’s moving truck, making it back to Andy’s side.

Endless Anxiety

The whole movie is fun and vibrant on the surface, but what I saw was Woody’s constant anxiety — his fear of not being good enough, of being replaced, abandoned, and forgotten. In the final scene, when Woody and Buzz leap onto the moving truck after all the hardship, that so-called happy ending didn’t cheer me up at all — I could already tell that once they got to the new house, Woody and the other toys would still be stuck in endless competition. It just felt exhausting. And as it turns out, Toy Story 2, 3, and 4 only confirmed my worries.

I Am not Woody

Thankfully, I’m not Woody, and I’m not Buzz Lightyear either. I am someone deeply loved and treasured by God. I don’t have to compete with anyone, and I don’t need to fear being replaced. Even if the people closest to me forsake me, the God who loves me never will.