Toy Story

In the movie Toy Story, the classic Hollywood three-act structure is established. As Professor Ramirez-Berg describes, there is an introduction, a complication that leads to a climax, a solution, and finally the happy ending. Major decisions are made and two plot points. Basic elements are also included such as a protagonist, a plot, a chronological scene progression, and standard lengths in all three acts.

Act One comprises of the introducing of main characters, setting and basic plot. First set in Andy’s room, Woody is missing his hat; toys help him find his hat, readying him for cowboy camp with Andy. Andy accidentally rips Woody’s arm after playing with him and sits him on the shelf deciding to leave him due to being rushed by his mother. Being there Woody spots Wheezy, the forgotten penguin, and notices a yard sale. While trying to rescue Wheezy from the yard sale, he instead is stolen by a collector. Buzz tries to run after him, but falls off and is left with catching a glimpse of the license plate.

Act Two deals with Woody making new friends after failing in escaping from Al, his collector. The toys back home decode the license plate and set out to save Woody. In the meantime, Woody is introduced to the story of his new friends and discovers their show “Woody’s Roundup” where they claimed he was the star of is canceled. Later they find out they are all planning to be shipped out to Tokyo and Woody rejects. The toys refuse to be buried in storage once more, Al tears Woody’s arm completely, and Woody tries to get it back at night so he can leave. Woody and Jessie argue over who switched the TV on and the toys make their way to Al’s Barn through the use of traffic cones. Repairman repairs Woody anew. Woody becomes closer to toys, and decides to stay when Jessie opens up to Woody about her life, hence, the mid point of the story. The toys are getting closer, and Woody is excited about Japan. They come to the rescue only to find Woody willing to go to Japan. Buzz tells Woody he is only a toy, Woody eventually changes his mind and tries to have the rest of the round up come along until Prospector is raged, locks Jessie and Bullseye, her horse, and leaves.

Act three is the airport climax. Al disappears in a car and toys drive a Planet Pizza and chase after him. They enter a pet container and search for Woody in the baggage conveyor room. Prospector knocks out Buzz and it becomes Woody vs. Prospector.  The toys help in fighting against Prospector where he then ends up in a girl bag. Jessie is on luggage trolley, Woody and Buzz set out to save her. As a resolution Woody and Jessie jump off the plane deciding not to go to Japan, and go home to a better and safer life. Finally reunited, the toys welcome Andy home; Andy fixes Woody as well as Wheezy where Woody then says how its fun while it lasts. And all is as it should be back to normal and happy with new additions to the gang.