animated film

1. SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN
THE DESIGN SCHOOL
FOUNDATION IN NATURAL BUILD ENVIRONMENT
NAME: MADELINE LIEW ZHI QI
STUDENT ID NO: 0322150
FILMS SELECTED: ‘INSIDE OUT’ & ‘TOY STORY’
WORD COUNT: 1049
ENGLISH 2 (ELG 30605)
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT 1: COMPARE – CONTRAST ESSAY
LECTURER: CASSANDRA WIJESURIA
SUBMISSION DATE: 28TH SEPTEMBER 2015

2. Compare Essay between ‘Inside Out’ and ‘Toy Story’
As films become more accessible to public, animated films has been a top choice to spend
quality time with family as it is favourable by most of the audience. Animated films are more to a
technology of filmmaking which involves complicated computer graphics, and also classification of
films genre. Animated films are films that involve frame by frame drawings or photographs, while
each frame to some degree are different to show illusion of the film moving. Each second of
animation needs 24 frames, which is a massive number for a full length film. Pixar is one of the
famous animation production company that produces both ‘Inside Out’ and ‘Toy Story’ that were
the most popular animated films that can most symbolise the improving technology in animated
filmmaking. Both films gained popular acclaim soon after they were released to the theatres. While
Toy Story is undeniably Pixar classic that is one of the best kids’ movie of all time, as suggested by
Minow N. from Common Sense Media, the audience also considered ‘Inside Out’ as one of the best
Pixar films ever. There are many comparability in these two films, which includes plot, theme, main
character’s personality and crucial role of supporting character.
The story line of ‘Inside Out’ and Toy Story’ is similar as the child is moving from a place to
another, then the main character is separated with the child because of some issues happening. The
main character meets all sorts of challenging situations including meeting the antagonist and solve
them one by one to get back to their owner’s side. They get to reunite with their owners with the
help of the secondary character. In ‘Inside Out’, Riley is moving from Minnesota to San Fransisco.
Joy and Sadness accidentally was sent to the long term memory while they have argument with the
new core memory. They met the clown which is the subconscious fear of Riley and managed to get
home with the help of tools on Imagination Island and grabbed Sadness that is floating on a cloud.
Meanwhile in ‘Toy Story’, Andy is moving to a new house and going to have his last diner at his
favourite restaurant. Woody and Buzz were unintentionally left at the gas station and got picked up

3. by Andy’s neighbour, Sid while they arrive at the restaurant. Sid likes to torture toys and they met
new toy friends in Sid’s room. They planned for an escape back to Andy’s house and a lesson for
Sid to not hurt toys anymore. Woody gets back to the moving truck in time with the help of Buzz’s
flying technique.
In addition, the theme of ‘Inside Out’ and ‘Toy Story’ are similar as they proposed that
acceptance is important to achieve goals. ‘Inside Out’ brings out that acceptance of other’s role can
solve problems. For example, Joy finds out that every core memories consists of sad moments after
Joy accidentally fell into the Memory Dump. Joy then accepts and realised that Sadness is important
in Riley’s life. ‘Toy Story’ suggested that acceptance of other’s strength and weakness can attain
their objective sooner and easier. Woody envies Buzz as Andy spend much time playing with Buzz
and tries to get rid of him. After they were in difficulties, Buzz and Woody come to an agreement
that they will be friends and not rivals anymore. Both of them will stay by Andy’s side to keep him
happy and accepts that nobody will replace anybody.
Next, the main character’s personality in both films are similar as they are optimistic, loyal,
thoughtful and trustworthy that makes the film worked out effectively. In ‘Inside Out’, Joy was
always positive about everything happening to Riley and tries her best to keep her happy. She was
cheerful to every situation she met and handle it and leads the other emotions to achieve a best
result for Riley. She was also considerate about other’s emotions’ emotion, for example she tries to
cheer up Sadness while they were both stuck in the long term memory maze. Joy was eager to go
back to the headquarters to send back the core memories and help to deal with the daily life of
Riley. On the other hand, when Woody was in Sid’s hand, he was positive about the situation and
deals with it smoothly. He also leads the other toys to give Sid a lesson to not torture the toys
anymore. Woody was concerned about Buzz replacing his place as Andy’s favourite toy but

4. eventually he knew that nobody will replace anyone in Andy’s heart. He also thinks of many ways
to escape from Sid to get back to Andy’s side.
The supporting character in both films plays an important role for the plot to go on
smoothly. In Inside Out, Joy was very alert about Sadness touching the memories as it will turn the
happy memory to a sad memory. When Joy dropped deep down into the Memory Dump, she
realised that every happy moments that Riley had were related to Sadness. The depressing moment
where Riley cries because she didn’t did well in the game was followed by the joyful moment of
celebrating Riley as a good ice hockey player. Joy then knew that without Sadness, the memory
would not be complete. Meanwhile in Toy Story, Woody learns that Buzz is a friend and collaborate
together to get home. Woody also helped Buzz in escaping from Sid’s intention to blow up Buzz
with a firecracker. Buzz is important as he changes Woody from being sarcastic to thoughtful and
creates a lovable personality of Woody. Without Buzz, Woody will continue to mock other toys and
the story will not be as interesting as it would be.
In a nutshell, Inside Out and Toy Story brings the audience many positive educational
morals such as loyal to friends and family, never give up while facing challenges. The films were
similar in terms of storyline, character’s specifications, concept and film particulars. I personally
find ‘Inside Out’ more attractive because of the concept of emotions and Personality Islands in our
brains that triggers our actions in life. As the storyline was based on a child, everyone can easily get
the main idea that the film wants to bring out, that is emotions have to be treated well.

5. References
1. Awana, M. (2015). How to Write an Essay Comparing Two Movies. Retrieved 18 September
2015 from http://education.seattlepi.com/write-essay-comparing-two-movies-7002.html
2. Toy Story. (1995). Retrieved 18 September 2015 from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114709/?
ref_=ttpl_ql
3. Inside Out. (2015). Retrieved 18 September 2015 from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673/?
ref_=ttpl_ql
4. Animated Films. (2015). Retrieved 18 September 2015 from http://www.filmsite.org/
animatedfilms.html