The Pixar Blogathon: Our Friendship Will Never Die

     Great friendships have the potential to be legendary. Whether it's Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, Bert and Ernie, the Harry Potter trio, R2-D2 and C-3PO, Merlin and King Arthur, Anne Shirley and Diana Barry, Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee...the list is endless. However, no friendship defined a generation more than the two very different, but equally loyal toys, Sheriff Woody and Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear. 

     When uptight and by the book Sheriff Woody meets Buzz Lightyear, a flashy and gaudy electronic who truly believes what is he is marketed to be, no one ever thought that two more different personalities would ever see eye to eye on anything. However, it's their differences that make them such a great team. As everyone knows, Woody was less than thrilled when he watched as his owner Andy preferences the new toy Buzz, who glows in the dark and flies (sort of) over the old fashioned family toy. 

     Woody is many things both good and bad. While his loyalty is his strongest attribute, it also becomes his blind spot. When Buzz is welcomed with open arms by the rest of the toys, Woody immediately resents him. Although he cited his loyalty to Andy to be his reason, it boiled down to the fact that Woody was jealous and his fear of being second best caused some devastating situations for him and Buzz. 

     When Woody and Buzz finds themselves on their own, trying to get back to Andy's Room, they both realize that they need one another. Woody leadership abilities, paired up with Buzz's faith in him allow them both to get home. The realization that comes when they are both trapped in Sid's room is that they are both toys, but as toys they mean something special to their owner. If Woody had truly had Andy's best intentions at heart, then he would have welcomed Buzz and dropped his hostility. Yet, for all that, Buzz realizes that Woody's love for Andy is so deep, that Woody risked everything to save him. And in time Buzz would do the same thing, again and again.

     Unfortunately, in the constant effort to do right, Buzz usually gets the short end of the stick in each film. Yet, his constant daring and devotion to his friends sets him back where he needs to be. Buzz Lightyear was voted the greatest animated character in history and it's easy to see why. When Buzz came to the scene, he was a disillusioned toy who believed himself to be any actual space ranger. Yet he was also fun, generous and had a knack for making friends with everyone. Buzz is also a leader, but he has not problem letting others take charge as well.

    Throughout the series you see the different personalities of the two toys coincide. Woody is old-fashioned, Buzz is modern. Woody is eccentric, Buzz is calm. Woody plans everything out, Buzz grabs any opportunity. Woody is strict, Buzz is easygoing. It's those differences that evens out their personalities and make them such great friends. 

     In the first two films, Buzz and Woody's relationship centered around Andy. He was their centerpoint. Everything they did was for him. In the last two films, their relationship was about the two of them. There was no Andy. Buzz accepted this, but Woody couldn't. Even Woody eventually admits that his whole purpose has been the happiness of the kid who owns him. It's takes a long time for Woody to see that his true purpose was as a leader to Andy's toys and as a friend they could depend on.

     What makes Buzz and Woody such an iconic friendship? Their constant loyalty to each other, no matter the situation. They might fight, disagree, walk away, etc. but in the end, they're always standing side by side. While Woody and Buzz might be toys, who they are as characters that people can relate to is so much deeper. We've all gotten jealous of the new kid, made sudden judgments, risked a great deal to get someone out of trouble.

    Even when they are finally separated from each other in the finale film, it's seen that their friendship isn't over at all. There will be other toys for Woody to find and take care of, while Buzz will always remain the ever faithful second in command. Just like Woody taught him. It's what they learned from one another that keeps their friendship alive. While Buzz and Woody are toys, they are toys that have taught people a great deal about true friendship and loyalty. Anyone would hope to have a friendship as strong and as legendary as theirs.