Pixar and a Hero's Journey
How does the main character in your favorite Pixar movie go through the hero's journey? What are the connections?
One of my favorite Pixar movies is Toy Story 2. In this movie, a toy collector named Al McWhiggin steals Woody from Andy's family at a garage sale. Al then takes Woody to his apartment, where he has an entire Sheriff Woody collection. It is in Al's apartment that Woody meets Jessie, Bullseye, and Stinky Pete. They tell Woody that they've been in his apartment for years, but they would finally be able to leave thanks to Woody. Al McWhiggin was planning on selling the entire collection to someone in Japan. Woody didn't want to go to Japan, instead he wanted to return home to Andy. Toy Story 2 consists of Woody attempting to get back home to Andy, and bringing a few new friends back with him.
The characters in Toy Story 2 do in fact go through the steps on a hero's journey. For example, the call to adventure was Woody's need to return home to Andy. He would have done anything to escape from Al's apartment. The Revelation in Toy Story 2 occurs when Stinky Pete refuses to let Woody and the other toys escape. He believes that this is his chance to finally leave and feel "wanted" and he wasn't going to let them ruin it. Finally, the return in the movie is when Woody returns home to Andy and he brings Jessie and Bullseye with him. Woody also makes sure that Stinky Pete gets what he deserves; he has a new owner who is very passionate about "re-decorating" her toys.
One of my favorite Pixar movies is Toy Story 2. In this movie, a toy collector named Al McWhiggin steals Woody from Andy's family at a garage sale. Al then takes Woody to his apartment, where he has an entire Sheriff Woody collection. It is in Al's apartment that Woody meets Jessie, Bullseye, and Stinky Pete. They tell Woody that they've been in his apartment for years, but they would finally be able to leave thanks to Woody. Al McWhiggin was planning on selling the entire collection to someone in Japan. Woody didn't want to go to Japan, instead he wanted to return home to Andy. Toy Story 2 consists of Woody attempting to get back home to Andy, and bringing a few new friends back with him.
The characters in Toy Story 2 do in fact go through the steps on a hero's journey. For example, the call to adventure was Woody's need to return home to Andy. He would have done anything to escape from Al's apartment. The Revelation in Toy Story 2 occurs when Stinky Pete refuses to let Woody and the other toys escape. He believes that this is his chance to finally leave and feel "wanted" and he wasn't going to let them ruin it. Finally, the return in the movie is when Woody returns home to Andy and he brings Jessie and Bullseye with him. Woody also makes sure that Stinky Pete gets what he deserves; he has a new owner who is very passionate about "re-decorating" her toys.
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