Monday, March 04, 2013

Toy Story: Mr. Potato Head And Buzz

For as child-like as I am, I don't watch a lot of cartoons or animated films. But there are two that I worship.

The Jetsons and Toy Story (the first one).

I can still remember the night I went to see Toy Story with a friend of mine in Florida, not ever imagining I would enjoy it as much as I did.

Not only was the computer-animation BEYOND brilliant (such as, the army men), but I also found myself laughing so hard at the hilariously clever dialogue throughout the entire movie.

Truthfully, I think Toy Story was also geared toward adults because much of the quick and subtle humor went over a young child’s head.

I know that anyone who has ever seen this film probably has a favorite character, which is so hard to choose, because they’re all so wonderfully delicious. However, my two favorites were Mr. Potato Head and Buzz Lightyear.

Mr. Potato Head

When I was a kid, I loved playing with Mr. Potato Head, rearranging his body with various eyes, ears, lips, arms, and accessories. My favorite silly thing to do was to place his ears where his eyes belong and his eyes where his ears belong, and also switched his nose and mouth, making him almost look like a Salvador Dali painting.

I think the most ingenuous thing about the movie Toy Story was that they gave Mr. Potato Head a voice, which to me, sounded exactly how I thought he would talk if he were to come alive - with a thick, New York accent - kinda like a New York City cab driver.

I also loved his sarcastic and snarky sense of humor. My favorite Mr. Potato Head moment was when he proceeded to take off his lips; giving an “ass-kissing” gesture.

Every time I see this, I HOWL!

Buzz Lightyear

I have to confess….I’ve always had a ‘boy crush’ on Buzz Lightyear.

I mean come on, have you ever seen such an adorable plastic hunk of man in all your living days? I loved the way Buzz raised his eyebrows whenever he talked. And I also found the little cleft in his chin, so damn cute.

The thing that was so endearing about Buzz was that he took himself so seriously; believing to be a real space ranger on a mission to return to his home planet, rather than an action figure. Yet, I will never forget how it broke my heart when he finally discovered that he was a TOY.

The expression on his face was priceless.

There is a wonderful life lesson in the character of Buzz.

Because regardless that he was a toy, Buzz had the spirit and inner belief that he could accomplish anything.

And because he believed that, he did....

You GO, Buzz!