What will likely be the biggest movie of the summer was released last week, and Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story 5 lived up to the hype. The film grossed $312 million globally, making it the second-highest opening ever for an animated feature.
I saw the movie on Friday with my family, and we all thought it was fantastic. More than a few scenes that made my parental eyes well up.
I’ve referenced movies several times in previous Teammate Tuesdays. Whenever I do, I try not to let those references turn into full-on movie reviews. However, to fully appreciate this week’s good teammate insight, it helps to understand a bit of the movie’s plot.
Toy Story 5 explores the growing influence of technology in children’s lives, a challenge many modern families face. The central conflict revolves around the relationship between traditional toys and digital entertainment.
When Bonnie, now eight years old, becomes obsessed with a frog-shaped smart tablet named Lilypad, Jessie (the film’s main protagonist) and Buzz Lightyear turn to Woody for help as they struggle to remain relevant in the child’s life.
One of the most consistent themes throughout the Toy Story franchise is the importance of teamwork and being a good teammate. While the movies are filled with humor, adventure, and memorable characters, they repeatedly demonstrate that success comes when individuals work together toward a common goal.
As Buzz Lightyear so eloquently declares in Toy Story 5, “Our mission on this planet is to make a child happy.” The toys in the movies all work toward that common objective.
The original Toy Story, released more than 30 years ago, provides several examples of this lesson. At the beginning of the film, Woody struggles with jealousy when Buzz Lightyear becomes Andy’s favorite toy. Rather than supporting his new teammate, Woody views Buzz as a rival.
This selfishness creates conflict and ultimately leads to both toys becoming lost. Their situation improves only when Woody and Buzz learn to trust one another, combine their strengths, and work together.
As you would expect, the same lesson plays out in Toy Story 5.
The Toy Story franchise reminds us that meaningful achievement is rarely accomplished alone. The characters change. The storylines change. The challenges change. But the approach remains the same: be a good teammate and work together.
They may be toys, but after all these years, the Toy Story characters are still A.L.I.V.E. (active, loyal, invested, viral, and empathetic).
They take action to solve their child’s problems. They demonstrate an unwavering commitment to their child. They see their child’s problems as their own. They share their enthusiasm for their child with one another and find joy in their child’s joy. And, perhaps most importantly, they view problems from their child’s perspective.
When you’re part of a team, leadership may change. Roles may change. Situations may change. But for the good of the team, the commitment to be a good teammate and to remain A.L.I.V.E. must stay intact.
Interestingly, the teamwork theme extends beyond the movies themselves. The creation of Toy Story was the result of collaboration among the original Pixar team, including visionaries such as John Lasseter, Ed Catmull, and Steve Jobs.
Their shared commitment, creativity, and willingness to work together helped build Pixar into a pioneering animation studio and bring these beloved films to life. Their films could not teach teamwork without the filmmakers engaging in it themselves.
The tagline for Toy Story 5 is “Times may change, but friends are forever.” The same can be said of good teammates—especially those who choose to remain A.L.I.V.E.
As always…Good teammates care. Good teammates share. Good teammates listen. Go be a good teammate.
