The eZ Life

Analysis of Opening- Toy Story 3 Opening Scene




I decided to analyse one of my favourite movie's opening scene; Toy Story 3.

Overall Summary of the movie:

The animated movie focuses on the main characters: Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and their friends dealing with an unforeseeable future as their owner, Andy (who has now grown up), prepares to leave for college.

In Depth Analysis:

The opening scene begins with a tilt shot descending upon a speeding steam train, the music parallels the shot because, it too, descends. There is then an explosion at the roof of one of the carriages and the camera zooms in to focus on a mid shot of Mr Potato Head dressed as a villain, we as an audience can tell this due to an additional eye-patch and a manic laugh which he makes after causing the explosion and raising his arms aloft, fists clenching bags of money. Then, the money is lassoed out of his hands and he is put onto his backside. The camera then switches to Woody, head bowed and face partially covered by his cowboy hat, walking towards Mr Potato Head. There is then a worms-eye view of Sheriff Woody, hands on hips, talking to Mr Potato Head. This gives the assumption that Woody is firmly in control and the character with the power. Then, Mrs Potato Head is introduced and the music is quickened, this suits the film well as they proceed to fight.