Toy Story Evaluation

The opening sequence of story contains a stereotypical hero and villain storyline in which
the child is acting out a roll play with his toys. This will immediately appeal to young
as they can see them selfs doing similar activities at home. As the storyline is based 
mainly around Woody the detective/cowboy, he is used as the hero in the sequence showing
that he'll be the character that all the children follow. simple comedy is used such as
the threatening of the toy sheep to be ran over or when the Evil Potato Head's eye gets
popped off as part of the roll play, or when the dinosaur eats the slinky dog. This
is used to appeal more to younger children and possibly to adults in an ironic way.

It then moves onto further play with Woody throughout the house which further expresses
he's the main character with only one other character appearing in each shot, the child.
Throughout the sequence the toys are being looked after and abused how a child of that
age would whilst continuing play with them, this involves sliding Woody down the banister
on stairs and launching him across the room using a chair.

You then continue on to see it's the child's birthday and he's ecstatic to see all the
presents he'll be receiving similarly to a modern day child.

Titles appear on screen with no real effect or special font, a bold font has been used
with a drop shadow and there is no use of capitals which may be to the aid of children
who enjoy reading. The sequence generally consists of long/mid shots on the toys
which in reality are close ups and extreme close ups which puts the scale into
perspective.

The scene starts with very uplifting, orchestral music which really grabs your attention
and keeps you focused on the screen. It soon changes to a quiet, eerie style of music
to create tension which sharp, sudden, low notes on brass instruments and significant
points in the sequence. High pitch music is used when one of the innocent characters talks
to show weakness in them whereas a lower tone is used when the Evil Potato Head is
talking. When Woody appears the music changes to an old, western style of music to show
the characters cowboy theme. When Woody has saved the day the music changes to a slow paced, relaxing song to go along with the theme of what's going on in the scene which continues throughout the rest of the opening sequence.

Max Macauley - Leak.