John Lasseter's Toy Story opened in November 1995 as the first fully computer-animated theatrical feature, a Pixar and Walt Disney Pictures production that arrived with no precedent and considerable uncertainty about whether audiences would accept an entirely digital world. The official trailer had the task of introducing something genuinely new, and it approached that task with a directness and comic confidence that reflected the studio's belief in what it had made.
First Impressions
The trailer leads with the comic rivalry between Woody and Buzz Lightyear, establishing the film's central conflict with economy and wit. The editing moves quickly through the domestic world of Andy's bedroom, introducing the toy ensemble with enough variety to suggest real comic range. There is no attempt to oversell the premise: the dynamic between the two leads is trusted to carry the pitch, and the footage is brisk enough to feel confident rather than anxious about what it is selling.
What the Trailer Reveals
Buzz's arrival and Woody's barely concealed hostility give the trailer its sharpest energy. Tom Hanks's voice performance as Woody is immediately recognisable, lending the character a warmth and comic exasperation that grounds the film's more fanciful elements. Tim Allen's Buzz operates as a precise foil, deadpan and self-important in ways that complement Hanks's register without duplicating it. The supporting cast, Rex, Hamm, and the others, are glimpsed rather than introduced in depth, but the trailer gives enough of them to signal an ensemble with its own personality.
Music and Sound
The score is playful and propulsive, keeping energy high without overwhelming the voice work that carries the material. Randy Newman's contribution is felt in the trailer's musical tone, which matches the comic confidence of the editing without drawing attention to itself. The audio choices suit a film that is selling character above all else.
Most Memorable Moment
Buzz's first appearance, stepping out of the gift box with complete self-assurance while Woody watches from across the room, is the moment the trailer earns its audience. It establishes the film's central comic tension in a single image and makes clear that the rivalry between the two leads will be the engine driving everything that follows.
Trailer Verdict
A trailer that introduced a landmark film with the confidence of a studio that knew it had made something worth seeing. It did not oversell the technology or lean on sentiment, but instead let the comic dynamic between its two leads make the case. For 1995, it was unlike anything audiences had been offered before.