Critics’ reviews

Toy Story (1995)

13 reviews from 13 publications. Critics’ score 89: 13 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative.

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89
Positive
13
Mixed
0
Negative
0

All thirteen reviews are positive, and they agree on the order of things. The animation comes first: this is the first full-length computer-generated feature, and critics treat it as a real achievement rather than a novelty. Most then say the story earns its place beside the technology. The script is called witty and unsentimental, pitched so that children enjoy toys coming to life while parents catch the jokes. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are singled out repeatedly for their voice work, and several reviews praise Randy Newman’s score.

The spread is narrow, from warm to warmer, and the reservations are small. The Guardian, the coolest of the set, admires the technique but misses the sweetness of hand-drawn animation. Later reviews at Den of Geek and Collider notice that the human characters have dated, though both still recommend it without hesitation. Roger Ebert, for all his enthusiasm, notes that underneath the invention it is essentially a buddy picture.

Radio Times
★★★★★ · Tom Hutchinson
100

The film is a magnificent technical achievement as the first fully computer-generated feature but delivers far more as an entertaining adventure story and witty parable for adults and children alike. The critic singles out the brilliant voice characterizations, particularly by Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, and Randy Newman's score for particular praise.

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RogerEbert.com
22 November 1995 · ★★★★/4 · Roger Ebert
100

The film is a visionary and liberating roller-coaster ride that creates a believable three-dimensional universe and marks the dawn of a new era in animation. The critic singles out the groundbreaking computer-generated imagery and freedom of movement for praise while noting it functions primarily as a buddy movie.

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Empire
1 January 2000 · Caroline Westbrook
90*

The critic calls the film triumphant, hilarious and original, free of sentimentality and a box-office success. They single out the groundbreaking computer animation and the simple, effective story of toys coming to life for particular praise.

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Slant Magazine
30 September 2009 · Rob Humanick
90*

The critic hails it as Pixar’s greatest creation and an artistic milestone with a purity of essence, praising the raw yet poetic computer animation, tight storytelling, clever characterizations, and sense of cinematic spectacle that makes an 80-minute film feel epic.

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The Hollywood Reporter
22 November 1995 · Michael Rechtshaffen
90*

The critic calls it an instant classic and a visually astounding, wildly inventive winner that marks Disney’s greatest technological advance in years. It singles out the computer-generated animation, buddy-movie story, strong voice performances by Hanks and Allen, and Randy Newman’s score for praise.

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The New York Times
22 November 1995 · Critic's Pick · Janet Maslin
90*

The computer-animated film is a parent-tickling delight and a work of incredible cleverness in the best Disney tradition. Children will enjoy toys coming to life while adults marvel at the witty script and brilliant anthropomorphism.

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The Times
19 April 2003
90*

The first full-length computer-animated feature is a technical marvel and a triumph of sharp scripting, inspired casting and perfectly pitched humour. John Lasseter’s cutting-edge animation looks amazing and combines with a heartwarming and witty script to make Toy Story a modern classic for all ages.

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Variety
20 November 1995 · Leonard Klady
90*

In addition to stylistic innovation the film sports a provocative and appealing story that's every bit the equal of this technical achievement. It features a first-rate voice cast and aims high to go where no animator has gone before.

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Los Angeles Times
22 November 1995 · Kenneth Turan
85*

The film's visual dazzle will delight kids while adults will appreciate the wised-up jokes. It is a captivating first step along animation’s most promising new frontier thanks to its clever story and dialogue.

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The Guardian
21 March 1996
75*

The critic praises the technical brilliance of this first full-length computer-animated feature and its witty take on suburban American values and pop-culture references. The rivalry between toys Woody and Buzz is noted as effectively mirroring family dynamics, though the film lacks the sweet magic of traditional animation.

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Collider
9 April 2010 · Andre Dellamorte
90*

The critic praises both films as tightly scripted with heart, invention, and strong third acts, noting they remain enjoyable for kids and parents alike despite some dated animation in the first film. Toy Story 2 is singled out as the stronger, more layered picture and one of the greatest sequels ever made.

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Den of Geek
21 March 2010 · ★★★★ · Mark Pickavance
80

The film excels as great storytelling that captures a child's mindset about toys and their fears of obsolescence or replacement, with strong voice casting bringing the toy community to life. It notes some dated flaws in the human characters' animation but calls the movie a timeless classic of the modern era.

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HeyUGuys
4 October 2009 · ★★★★ · Colin Hart
80

The critic praises the film's timeless appeal, witty and knowing script with real heart that doesn't talk down to children, and the standout vocal performances. They highlight the emotional impact of key scenes like Buzz's realization accompanied by the song, noting the movie hasn't aged and remains a treat on the big screen.

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Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate