AC17: Random TV Special Review - Toy Story that Time Forgot

Toy Story has had an interesting resurgence following the release of Toy Story 3 in that not only did we get the long awaited third film, but a bunch of short films and made for TV specials and then eventually a fourth film. So when I heard about the TV specials, I wasn't all that surprised as DreamWorks had already done all that with their franchises. So here is the supposed Christmas special which actually is only a special set around Christmas rather than be focused on the actual holiday. So let's have a look:

Spending time not playing the role of the dinosaur in any play times has left Trixie (reprised by Kristen Schaal) very depressed. But things start to change when Bonnie (reprised by Emily Hahn) takes her along with fellow dinosaur toy Rex (reprised by the inconceivable Wallace Shawn), Woody (reprised by Tom Hanks), Buzz (reprised by Tim Allen) and a Christmas ornament called Angel Kitty (voiced by Emma Hudak) to the house of her best friend Mason (voiced by R.C. Cope). Seeing the video game console he is using, Bonnie throws the bag into another room to join him. The toys meanwhile, end up in a world full of dinosaur warrior toys which have been neglected by Mason but nevertheless embrace their roles while remaining unaware that they are toys. But while Rex and Trixie enjoy this world, things start to get serious and dangerous all too quickly where its a matter of life and death (in the toy sense).

Of all the shorts and TV specials from the franchise, this one to me felt like the weakest. Weak because Buzz and Woody are hardly there and were probably on the poster just so this can sell. And especially weak due to it being very clearly a rehash of the first film but the dinosaur warrior toys are the ones that don't realise they are toys. Despite this however, its good to see how a line of toys can create a world without the need of their owner. But yeah, its not a great special and doesn't really do much for the main characters other than giving Trixie and Rex more purpose in their roles. 7/10