Toy Story 3 and The Brave Little Toaster

As kids or even young adults, I am sure there was a time when we believed that toys, appliances, or any inanimated objects would spring to life behind our backs. Some people (like myself) believe that there is life in all things.

Now I do not mean that in a real sense, but in a sense that all things even objects have energy. So it’s not too far fetch to believe that an object could spring to life, given that it already has energy to begin with, otherwise it’s existence would be impossible.

So if you let your imagination run wild and consider the fact that all things have energy, it’s not hard to come up with the idea of living toys, toaster, lamps, or dolls. Which of course were presented in two Disney animated movies, Toy Story 3 (2010) and The Brave Little Toaster (1987).

Yes, I know there were more movies to be listed. However, I am here to speak of these two and mainly these two because of one reason…their similarities.

The first of the two movies released was The Brave Little Toaster in 1987, with the project being funded by Disney Studios and developed by Hyperion Pictures. But the original idea for the story of The Brave Little Toaster was actually proposed by a very famous animator and later an executive producer, John Lasseter.

Who is John Lasseter? The man who filmed it all… Essentially, the executive producer of Toy Story, Toy Story 2, A Bugs Life, Cars, and of course Toy Story 3.

Just recently I saw Toy Story 3 on DVD for the first time. I was enthusiastic while watching the movie, but I couldn’t help but to re-think that some how and some where I’ve seen this before. A young adult growing up getting ready for college, abandoning his toys while the toys were feeling left out and worthless. That definitely rings a bell.

Now where have I seen this before?

It took awhile as it didn’t quite grasp me until later in the movie, but then it finally struck. I remember watching this in the Brave Little Toaster, the same idea and concept but different characters and slightly different story.

In fact, it became really obvious when the Woody, Buzz and their friends were stuck trying to survive through the dangerous junkyard. I couldn’t help but to reminisce my memories of Ernie’s Disposal in the Brave Little Toaster. In fact the scene in both movies were nearly identical.

Throughout the entire Toy Story 3 movie, there were certain similarities that could be seen from the Brave Little Toaster. For example, the need for sticking together, being out-casted by other toys or appliances, the feeling of being worthless by their master, and finally the journey of re-uniting with their master.

Now I am not here to bash Toy Story 3 because I certainly loved the movie. I believe the movie really captured the Disney moment towards the end when Andy Davis passes down his toys to the shy but cute little girl Bonnie Anderson. The moment when they played together and when Andy told her how important those toys were to him is what I call, and Epic Moment. Personally I am not sure if that scene could have been any better.

But when you look through the smoke and mirrors and see that John Lasseter had originated the idea of The Brave Little Toaster and was the executive producer of Toy 3, you come to think or wonder maybe this is how the Brave Little Toaster would have been if Disney Studios decided to go with John’s Original idea back in 1982. But unfortunately, John’s proposal led him to his termination with Disney. Which in his case turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Though I probably would have been a happy camper with John Lasseter’s idea for the Brave Little Toaster. But the one thing I would have missed were the musicals. I must say that the musicals what captured my attention the most. And If there’s one thing I wish Pixar Studios would develop in their films, it would be adding a musical or two. Now that would be Epic.