Buzz and Woody: The Beginning of a Friend Bond in The Toy Story

We all have enemies and we all have friends, but some have what is called a “frienemy”, or a combination of both. In Pixar’s first theatrical film, Toy Story, there are two battling toys that seem to have a connection. Buzz, a space cadet, and Woody, a cowboy, are both owned by toddler Andy. This is not uncommon information for everyone though. Buzz and Woody are icons for Pixar’s creativity, but this best friend bond did not start off perfect. In fact, Woody and Buzz are a lot different than one may realize.

Andy’s toys would be a frantic mess, if it wasn’t for the leader of the pack, Woody. It does not seem as if Woody was assigned this position, but rather obtained it by getting other’s trust. He has many responsibilities that are crucial in order to keep the toy’s existence a secret. Signaling the toys to go back where owner Andy left them, he is the fundamental component when handling spontaneous situations. Along with being popular amongst the toys, Woody is confident being Andy’s favorite toy. The bedroom is plastered with cowboy wallpaper, bedsheets, and crayon drawings posted. He is the first one Andy picks whenever he travels in the car or plays in the yard. He has accepted his identity as a living toy making a small boy’s childhood happy.

Everything seemed pleasantly perfect in Woody’s eyes. He was in control of his life, until the day of Andy’s birthday party. Naturally, the toys went haywire imagining all the possibilities. Andy could have received an even better, more trendier toy which would have determined the fate for the others; they would end up forgotten and dusty in the shelves never to be touched again. As dramatic as it sounds, when the toys find out that Buzz Lightyear will be joining them they are on the urge of self-dismantling themselves.

Buzz is quite the opposite of Woody. He enters the movie as a delusional space man thinking that he is on a mission. Unlike Woody, his goal is to investigate the “planet” he is on now and jumps to the site of new toys. Not knowing he is a toy himself, Buzz constantly points his laser beam in order to intimidate the toys. However, once the toys realize how advance Buzz is, with his button initiated voice box, light laser, and flying abilities, they almost like him as much as Andy does. Once Buzz soars around the room, Woody’s confidence is shot down the drain. He essentially has been one-upped. Space wallpaper, bedsheets, and, of course, drawings replace the wild-west theme. Buzz is now Andy’s number one leaving Woody to reside in the toy crate along with the others.

Although these differences set them apart it is important to note how it has helped each other in the end. Stuck in the room of a demented young boy, Buzz realizes he is not who he thinks. He watching a commercial that promoted a new, popular toy, Buzz Lightyear. Shelves and shelves of the toy are shown, and Buzz’s mental health deteriorates. He loses it. Fortunately Woody works well with chaotic situations and calms Buzz down enough to persuade him to escape the terrifying house. However, just before freedom Buzz is picked to be attached to a miniature rocket and blasted off. Woody needs to think fast, but he cannot do this alone. With his leadership skills he befriends the boy’s toys and devises a plan of attack. After being perfectly executed, the plan has worked and the toys are free from an torment.

From foes to friends, Buzz and Woody can help Toy Story fans realize their differences and ways to utilize them to benefit others. They are child friendly examples of how to get along with one another even if one is more talented in one thing than the other. We all have flaws and strengths. We must not, however, become envious of another person’s characteristics. Remembering that friends are there for a reason will help during difficult situations. As Buzz and Woody as the inspiration, we must be open to help anyone in need, because one day they might end up being a close friend.