



It was November of 1995 when Walt Disney Animation and Pixar Films’ TOY STORY introduced us to an odd couple that became synonymous with friendship for the next several decades. Woody, the charismatic cowboy doll with a pull string full of oddly dark humor (seriously, who puts “Somebody poisoned the water hole!” in a doll? Seriously?!) and Buzz Lightyear, a latest “it” toy based on the popular new Space Rangers show (the irony of how old that show would be right now isn’t left on anyone). Their partnering was bitter at first, then got sorta better, maybe.
But this year, Disney/Pixar released INSIDE OUT, a film that not only brought Pixar out of its spiral of sequels and prequels and back into glory, but also did something nobody could see coming: it made a pairing that out-rivals their landmark duo. We’re introduced to Joy and Sadness, the prominent emotions of an 11-year-old girl named Riley. Joy is an overzealous alpha personality that keeps control by keeping things running smoothly. Sadness is clumsy, dour yet shyly friendly. Their partnering is awkward at first, but by the end of their first film, their friendship is sealed firmly (well at least until someone hits that PUBERTY button in a hopeful sequel).
From here on, I’m probably going to spoil a great deal about all three Toy Story films and Inside Out, so beware.
In all honesty, I for one have never bought Woody and Buzz’s friendship being real, considering that Woody never sees the interests of others UNLESS it deals specifically with him. And if he can get a better deal, he’s shown he’ll ditch other toys in a pinch. And Buzz seems to more put up with Woody’s bad behavior as mere acceptance than trying to be a friend. Even when he goes off to rescue him from Al, it’s more out of honor than friendship. That’s not to say that such Narcissist/Delusional pairings don’t work. That was the working relationship with several of comedy’s greatest teams such as Abbott & Costello, Martin & Lewis and Pinky & the Brain. But when the relationship starts with Woody willing to commit toy murder to get rid of the competition (and not understanding that there would’ve been a new Buzz the next day notwithstanding), that’s something surprisingly acceptable by parents for their children’s consumption.
Joy & Sadness are bound by their working conditions as well and have to get along in order to ensure Riley’s emotions remain balanced throughout her day. But as you see quickly, Joy has enjoyed the alpha seat for so long and can’t see how Riley should need any other emotion, especially Sadness. And while at one point Joy was willing to leave Sadness behind to get back home, she is first punished greatly for it, then learns a lesson that is at the core of film’s message; that sadness is important, especially when things are going badly. They don’t just learn how to get along, but also how to respect one another to create a balance for a greater good.
Woody and Buzz could be said to also be co-workers, though their relationship is very toxic. Woody accepts Buzz as an inevitable force but doesn’t try to understand him. In fact, he distances himself from all the other toys, taking a leadership role simply because he was favored above all by Andy. When Buzz arrives and takes that top spot for a while, Woody’s social status made him equals with the others and showed his true colors. It was only when Andy, in a very dubious manner, chooses to equalize the importance of both toys that Woody capitulates to a co-leader status. Woody’s power from that point on was never challenged again, even by Buzz whose delusions of friendship keep him from seeing that Woody still isn’t his friend. Bear in mind that Buzz charges head-first into rescuing Woody, Woody only rescues Buzz when shamed into it.
What is also unique is how Pixar sees friendships between genders in both films. Toy Story is about rivals as its main leads are constantly bumping heads over even the smallest decision. Inside Out is about teamwork between 2 polar opposites working together in order achieve balance. But also look at how both pairs deal with conflict. Woody and Buzz shout at each other. Joy and Sadness are more passive aggressive as Joy distracts Sadness indirectly in order to maintain control while Sadness defies Joy in small ways simply by touching things. Woody must learn to accept his new role (sorta) where Joy needs to learn to let go.
Bear in mind that the stakes are very different as well. Where Andy would lose a couple of prized possessions, Riley could lose her entire emotional well-being and in doing so, herself completely. Toys, we are reminded will be left behind and are easily broken as children grow up and more careless about their toys (with the exception of Andy, who apparently treats his toys like royalty). Emotions, as we see in the minds of the adults, change social order depending on the choices made throughout life, but all emotions are vital and none can be lost without serious psychological repercussions.
Woody and Buzz are still relevant as characters go, but from the perspective of where animation is going and the sophistication of the next generation of audiences, their place at the top is coming down. Friendship is more than just putting grudges aside, it’s about being able to look through the other person’s eyes and seeing their importance in the grand scheme. Woody is too arrogant to see beyond himself as Joy has too much at stake not to get the drift. Both stories are melancholy in its look at the loss of youthful innocence, hopeful in its look at an unknowable future and awed by the limitless potential of the imagination. But Inside Out simply has a bigger and more expressive toy box to play with and a timespan that stretches beyond recess.