The Sunday Lister: Top 5 Toy Story Characters

The Sunday Lister: Top 5 Toy Story Characters

Howdy folks, good Sunday to you. I have had quite a stressful weekend, with a few things going wrong. So I may try and keep this short and sweet this week. I have decided to cheer myself up by writing about something close to my childhood. Yes, of course It’s Toy Story. If you guessed correctly, you win A Cookie (lies!). 

Ahem, moving on. Here is this week’s Sunday Lister. 

5 The Character: Ken (Michael Keaton) From: Toy Story 3

The only character in my top five that hasn’t appeared in every Toy Story film. So what does Ken have in one film, that some of the other characters don’t over all three? Well the answer is simple: Ken has depth. We know he’s an ass, but yet we feel for him. We sympathise with him when the other toys make fun of him and that’s a sign of a good character. Plus, I secretly want his wardrobe. 

4. The Character: Sarge (R. Lee Ermey) From: Toy Story 1,2,3

Sarge and his boys are the unsung heroes of the Toy Story world. They do all the dirty work, without getting any of the praise the other characters do. Sarge is the bravest toy there is. He’s commanding and a great leader should be. Also, he’s cool as a cucumber to boot. So, this is me giving Sarge his dues. He deserves it. 

3. The Character: Woody (Tom Hanks) From: Toy Story 1,2,3

‘Woody at Three?’  How could I do that? He’s the main character. Am I out of my mind? Well yes I am, but here me out. Yes Woody is a great character. He’s got emotional depth in abundance. We empathise with everything he does, because we know that deep down we’d feel exactly the same. Why he isn’t higher? Well the other two are better, in my opinion. 

2. The Character: Hamm (John Ratzenberger) From: Toy Story 1,2,3

John Ratzenberger is Pixar’s good luck charm. But, not just that. He’s also a great voice actor. With such a warm and hearty voice, it’s hard not to be pulled into whatever voice Ratzenberger does. None more than Hamm. Hamm is the Toys mouth piece. Whatever the others are thinking, Hamm says. And he’s a hoot to boot. That Musical hog. 

1. The Character: Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) From: Toy Story 1,2,3

I imagine this one surprised very little of you. I love Buzz Lightyear I do. If it was socially acceptable to buy an adults sized Buzz costume and wear it as everyday clothes. I would do. I’d never wash it. What I love about Buzz is he’s a dreamer. He doesn’t let anyone stop him. He believes in what he believes and reaches for those stars. If normal Buzz wasn’t enough. I have just two more words: Spanish Buzz.

So there are my top 5 Toy Story characters. I hope you enjoyed reading it 

Feel free to agree or disagree in the comment box below. 

Email me at cinemascreenandspandex@gmail.com

Or follow me on Twitter @glamgrunge

Until next time, enjoy the show

Daniel Morris.

Johnny Depp- Out of Date?

Johnny Depp- Out of date?

I realise that I may receive a lot of stick for this article. And yes, I’m aware that taking a shot at Johnny Depp is the movie equivalent of punching the Queen square in the chops and holds pretty much the same punishment. However, I’m going to stay true to my rebellious streak and persevere anyway, even if I do receive a lynching. At least people may read this blog then. Every cloud ey?

I’m not a Johnny Depp hater, quite the opposite really. The man oozes charisma and has definitely done more in the world of acting than I will do in 36 lifetimes, let alone one. For that, I respect the man fourfold. 

That being said, like a two week old Danish, Mr Depp has gone stale. The man who gave us such unique performances as Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood and Captain Jack Sparrow, seems to be passed his sell by date. What was once new and edgy performance have turned dull. 

I think the evolution of the arguably Mr Depp’s most famous character, is a fair comment on JD’s career over the last few years. I remember watching the first Pirates of the Caribbean and falling in love with the formidable Captain Jack Sparrow. 

Captain Jack was undoubtedly the hero of the movie, but he was unlike any hero in recent history. Jack had the character flaws of a 1950s Noir, but in a family entertainment blockbuster. 

Captain Jack’s coolness isn’t just down to the writing either. You can tell that a lot of that is down to Johnny. What we get is a fresh and new character. Definitely one of the better performances of the 21^st century. 

What have followed the first Pirates movie are three sequels. Ranging from the mediocre (Dead Man’s Chest) to the outright pants (On Stranger Tides). Captain Jack Sparrow features heavily in all three movies. Instead of the fresh Captain Jack Sparrow, we got a neutered Cap’n Jack, who had morals and dare I say it.... feelings. 

Again, it wasn’t just the character of Jack that was wrong, it was the performance. Despite, Jack being larger than life, the brilliance about the first performance was the subtlety in it. This has been lacking in every performance of Jack since as they all get bigger and brasher, losing all the charm. 

That’s how I see Johnny Depp’s career of late. The freshness of his earlier characters has almost all gone. What has replaced this fresh crème is mouldy, month old milk. Performances such as The Libertine, The Tourist and Alice in Wonderland just feel like quirky Johnny Depp cashing in his pay check, just for being his odd ball self. 

Don’t get me wrong, there are still gems in the sea of mediocre that has been Depp’s career of late. I think his portrayal of Sweeny Todd is pretty terrific as was his performance of John Dillinger in Public Enemies. But, these still don’t offer up new elements to Depp’s characters. There just the best of his old routine. 

I’m not solely blaming Mr Depp. It might be my fault. Depp might not have changed a thing. It could simply be a case of eating too much mint choc chip ice cream. It’s good at first, but what once was new and intriguing, gets boring. 

I’m not writing this Just to be a moany get. I’m saying this because I want to be wowed by Mr Depp again. He definitely can. I truly believe he’s not past his sell-by date; he just needs to get back on track.

Oh and I apologise for all the dairy puns, I really wanted a milkshake. 

What do you think? Feel free to tell me I’m crazy. I get it off the doctors all the time.

Email me at cinemascreenandspandex@gmail.com

Follow me @glamgrunge

Until next time, enjoy the show
Daniel Morris.