From VHS to Theater: A Personal Connection
At the June 9 premiere of Toy Story 5, Taylor Swift asked Tom Hanks to sign her Toy Story VHS tape—a moment that resonated deeply with many millennials. I was four when the original film debuted in 1995, and it was one of the first VHS tapes I owned. The plastic case became worn from repeated openings, and like Swift, I kept it even as DVDs and streaming took over. That tattered tape symbolized my childhood and the enduring message of Randy Newman's song, You've Got a Friend in Me.
The Magic of Imagining Toys Alive
The first Toy Story began with Andy playing with Woody before leaving for his birthday party. When the toys came alive, I was captivated by the idea that my own toys—Polly Pockets, Madeline doll, Beanie Babies—had secret lives. This perspective transformed how I saw the world, infusing objects with stories and possibilities. As a budding writer, this lens was crucial.
Growing Up with Andy
In Toy Story 2, I was eight and related to Woody's fear of being discarded after his arm tore. By Toy Story 3, I was leaving for college, and Andy's decision about his toys mirrored my own transition. I cried in the theater as Andy gave his toys to Bonnie, feeling my own childhood ending. Toy Story 4 in 2019 found me as a parent, seeing myself in Bonnie's mom as Woody left to find his own path.
A Dual Perspective: Parent and Child
Now, with Toy Story 5, I am both Andy and his mom. The film explores screens versus analog toys, asking if technology undermines real connections. My kids loved it, and I cherished watching them experience the same wonder I did. As Swift sings in the film's single, I Knew It, I Knew You, each Toy Story has been a parachute for growing up. Now it supports my children as they find their place in the world.
Toy Story 5 is now playing in theaters.
