They transcend the notion of children’s movies and incorporate dark moments dealing with serious subject matter.Opening with a camera flight through a breathtaking arid Southwestern landscape, Toy Story 3 (2010) begins with a tracking shot of Mr. Altogether, this element from Lightyear with the other dark moments throughout the Toy Story films showcase why Pixar films are for everyone. Intriguingly, while it might’ve seemed that Zurg was defeated, Lightyear already teased a sequel when the post-credits showed that evil Buzz is still very much alive. This is what helps the original Buzz accept his reality and new home. Significantly, this choice demonstrates how the remorse Buzz felt for stranding himself and his crew on T’Kani Prime had taken hold of him. He became hellbent on restoring the proper timeline, even at the expense of the good that came out of the time dilations, such as Alisha and Kiko’s life together and Izzy’s birth.Īudiences certainly weren’t expecting that Buzz Lightyear would also be the film’s villain in addition to its hero. However, Lightyear instead reveals that Zurg is actually Buzz Lightyear, an older version from the original timeline who escaped so far into the future that he encountered the advanced technology required to travel back in time. Importantly, Toy Story 2 establishes Zurg as Buzz’s father, coyly playing off Luke and Darth Vader in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back. RELATED: Inside Out 2 Can Finally Do What Toy Story 3 Couldn't Yet, he was true to who he is and betrayed them, leaving them to die, and suffering the eternal consequences for it, strapped to the front of a truck. Again, there’s a brief inclination that he’ll do the right thing after Woody and Buzz help save him from the shredder. This moment is especially stark given Lotso’s actions. However, for an intensely heartbreaking moment, both the characters and the audience comes to accept the fiery doom facing them. It would go against the natural order of things, but remarkably, Toy Story 3 was almost going to end with the incinerator scene.įortunately, they all made it out alive thanks to the unexpected actions of the little aliens. Naturally, audiences aren’t wired to expect a primary protagonist to die, let alone the entire main cast, especially not in a children’s film, regardless of how serious Pixar films can get. The moment in the incinerator in Toy Story 3 is probably one of the most infamous scenes in the entire franchise and is what makes the film stand out from the rest. RELATED: Turning Red's Skateboard Has 3 Amazing Toy Story Easter Eggs Whether that’s true or not, Jessie did find her new home with Andy, and then again with Bonnie. This is then punctuated by Jessie saying, “You never forget kids like Emily or Andy, but they forget you.” This moment is then enhanced by a theory that Emily is actually Andy’s mom. She lost hope and thought it would never return. With Sarah McLachlan’s “When She Loved Me” perfectly capturing each emotional beat, this sequence shows how deep the hold of negative emotions and fears can have on someone, slowly poisoning their spirit. It’s remarkably similar to what Woody has with Andy, who he is so desperate to return to, but Jessie watched as her kid grew up, forgot her, and then left her on the side of the road at a donation center. It’s certainly one of the most emotional moments of the entire Toy Story franchise as Jessie recounts her life with Emily. Toy Story 2 was accidentally deleted during production which meant it almost never saw the light of day, but thankfully it was recovered, otherwise, audiences never would’ve experienced the greatness that is Jessie and her heartbreaking backstory. RELATED: Buzz's Toy Story Arc Makes Pixar's Lightyear Even Worse Luckily though for Buzz, thanks to Andy and his toys, he found that hope once more. This moment stands out as it must be a constant experience for toys in the world of Toy Story, only not everyone’s existential crisis results in them losing an arm nor are they set to Randy Newman’s “I Will Go Sailing No More.” Interestingly, Toy Story 4 features a similar sequence when Forky constantly tries to throw himself away upon realizing his reality. Viewers can see the hope fade from Buzz’s plastic eyes as he tries to push past his feelings to fly only to fall hard, again, literally and figuratively.

This moment isn’t dark due to any scary content, but for the deep emotional beats. In setting the pattern for Pixar’s “What if X had feelings” formula, Toy Story showcased Buzz’s sad realization that he was truly just a toy, and not even an original one at that. While Woody struggles with his feelings of being replaced, Buzz conversely comes to terms with his reality.

Incinerator toy story 3 scene