Mini Buzz

'TOY STORY TOONS: SMALL FRY': Four Stars (Out of Five)

The second 'TOY STORY' Pixar animated short film (after 'HAWAIIAN VACATION'), this one debuted before 'THE MUPPETS'. It was written and directed by Angus MacLane and stars the usual 'TOY STORY' voice talents (Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, John Ratzenberger, Wallace Shawn, etc.) plus newcomers Jane Lynch, Timothy Dalton and more. It runs about 7 minutes and tells the story of Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen once again) being replaced by a mini kids' meal version of himself (voiced by Teddy Newton) at home while he's trapped at a fast food restaurant with other thrown away kids' meal toys who have their own support group. The premise is a great idea and the film is packed with clever laughs. Minute for minute I'd say this short film is the wittiest of all the 'TOY STORY' films, stretched in to a feature length movie it probably would have ran a little thin though. It's much better than the last 'TOY STORY' short and nearly perfect for it's 7 minute running time. As far as short films go this is definitely a rewarding and worthwhile movie going experience, especially if you're a fan of Pixar or 'TOY STORY'.

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Bonnie is given a Zurg belt buckle when her mom buys a small fry at the Poultry Palace. There's a mini Buzz in the display but the cashier refuses to let her have it. The mini Buzz escapes and switches places with Bonnie's Buzz. The fake Buzz convinces Rex that he shrunk but nobody else believes him. The real Buzz finds his way to the discarded Fun Meal toys support group. The Toy Story gang is back although some of the discarded toys are funnier. It's a sad reality that so much garbage toys get produced and sold with the fast food which are then quickly discarded. The ridiculous toys are funny in their stupidity. It's a quick jab but also a fun short.

Slightly weaker than other short movies but still good and fun.

This Pixar short preceded the main feature of The Muppets. Once again continuing the adventures of the Toy Story gang, this one has a smaller version of Buzz Lightyear from a Happy Meal-like menu replacing the real one when Bonnie takes her toys home with her. The mixup that results was as funny as one would expect when watching these shorts from those Pixar guys. Lots of new characters are introduced with the "patients" Buzz meets when he finds himself stuck at the restaurant so if another Toy Story feature does get made, maybe they will be in that one. I don't know if those Pixar people should actually do that but if anyone could pull that off, they could. So all I'll say now is Small Fry is pretty funny for its brief running time if you're so inclined to watch.

Love Pixar, feature films, really like to love most of their feature films, and short films, don't dislike any of their shorts. Their best are masterpieces and even lesser efforts, my least favourite overall being 'Cars 3', are never below mediocre and have at least four good things (best asset being the animation). Consider all three 'Toy Story' films among their best, while the first is one of their most overall ground-breaking my personal favourite and the one that connected with me the most was the third.

After the excellent 'Hawaiian Vacation', expectations were hopefully understandably high for 'Small Fry'. Will admit to being a little let down in comparison, but it was still very enjoyable and well made, as long as one doesn't expect it to be on the same level as the feature films with it being a television short. So budget isn't as large and less time was available. Perfect for 'Toy Story' fans. For anybody that loved the first 'Toy Story' film and its sequels, the three Toy Story Toons shorts are well worth watching and more and are pretty darn impressive for television short films.

Did think that 'Small Fry' was a little too on the short side this time and at times felt rushed.

Will agree too about the resolution being too easy and quick.

On the other hand, again the animation is expectedly excellent. Such beautiful attention to detail in the backgrounds and the character designs and the colours are so vibrant. The music more than serves its purpose well, with the right amount of energy and charming orchestration.

Excelling also is the writing, with some wonderfully witty writing, Buzz and Mini Buzz faring best (with the one groaner being regarding recycling) and the gags are well timed and always amusing and more.

Buzz and Mini Buzz are also the standouts of the characters, the story is cute and colourful and the voice acting is top notch from Tim Allen and Teddy Newton especially. Tom Hanks has lost none of his energy either and doesn't go overboard.

Summarising, very enjoyable and worth watching. 7/10