Pixar's first Academy Award winning film, TIN TOY, expands on many of the advances technically and storywise that their previous film RED'S DREAM attempted. It also stands a precursor to their first animated feature TOY STORY.
A baby has just received a new tin one-man band toy. Tinny the toy is happy to have a new home until he witnesses the destructive nature of a giant baby. The little toy runs for his life and discovers why toys get lost and what his real purpose is supposed to be.
In RED'S DREAM, Pixar attempted its first "organic" human character, but for TIN TOY the baby was the first to have life-like bendable knees and arms. In comparison to today, the baby looks weak. However, unlike RED'S DREAM where the clown character's design was distracting, this time the baby is good enough and the story is compelling enough to overcome some of the technical limitations.
When it comes to the story, it's the fullest tale to date for a Pixar produced short. It's also one of their smartest shorts. Many of the laughs come from the acknowledgement of true human nature. For a toy's point of view, an overly playful baby can be a dangerous thing. Additionally, the story works in nicely how easily hurt and distracted very young children can be. In his reactions to the baby, Tinny is quite expressive, making us understand exactly what he is thinking without a single word.
In terms of the Pixar canon of shorts, it stands as a crossroads where technical skills are beginning to catch up with the imaginations of the filmmakers. Visual dates, the film proves that a really compelling story can often trump all other limitations.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
