Toy Story and Globalization
A Political and Cultural Study
By Pam Andes and Krunal Thakore
April 21, 2024 1/18
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.
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Toy Story’s
Plot
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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
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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!
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Thanks for watching
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