Pixar Makes Their Small-Screen Debut with ‘Toy Story of Terror’

Although the masterminds at Pixar handled the ending of their Toy Story trilogy in a perfect way (and in a manner that could make even Ron Swanson choke back tears), I still want to see more of the toys that I first fell in love with back in 1995. After following their lives over the course of 15 years, I would love to get a glimpse at how Woody and Buzz are handling their change in ownership. This Halloween, Pixar makes that happen with a 22-minute TV special: Toy Story of Terror.

This is Pixar’s first special made for the small-screen. With its light-hearted humor and witty use of toys for gags (did you see the PEZ dispenser scene?), Toy Story of Terror feels like a return to the original Toy Story films despite the change in screen size. Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, and Joan Cusack have all returned to voice their iconic characters. A new toy, Combat Carl, joins the gang and is fittingly voiced by Carl Weathers (of Rocky and Predator fame).

The short starts out with the toys embarking on a road trip with their new family. As they take a detour and stop at a creepy roadside motel for the night, the terror implied in the title begins. Toys start disappearing one-by-one throughout the night and unless they can solve the mystery, Woody, Buzz, and our other favorite toys will suffer the same fate. I can’t wait to see how Rex reacts to this situation.

Pixar Makes Their Small-Screen Debut with Toy Story of Terror - Rex

Grab some candy corn and get ready for Halloween with Pixar. Toy Story of Terror airs October 16 on ABC.

Pixar Makes Their Small-Screen Debut with Toy Story of Terror - Still 2

Jack Ryan Trailer Looks Better Than Expected

Diving back into the franchise started by the incredible author Tom Clancy, who sadly passed away last week, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit hopes to restart his franchise on the big screen. Directing is Kenneth Branagh (Henry V, Thor) whom also stars as the main antagonist opposite Chris Pine (Star Trek), who takes the titular role in this one, stepping into shoes previously filled by Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, and even Batman himself, Ben Affleck.

Joining him is Kevin Costner, who interestingly has signed a two-picture deal to reprise the same role in another Tom Clancy Series that Paramount is trying to kickstart, Without Remorse. Other notable faces are Keira Knightley (Pirates of the Caribbean) and David Paymer (Mr. Saturday Night).

Initially written by newcomer Adam Cozad, David Koepp (Spiderman) was called in to do rewrites, and the film is only based on Clancy’s characters, not a specific book.

The plot for this one centers around a CIA analyst, Jack Ryan, who discovers a Russian plot to destroy the US economy. It sounds somewhat generic, but nobodies pegging this to be a complex character study, instead just deliver on its promise as an action spy flick that entertains. By the looks of the well-cut trailer, it seems to succeed:

Going in I had zero expectations for this because it seemed like another throw away action movie, kind of what the Die Hard series has become, but damn is this trailer put together nicely. Between the music, and the practical action scenes, this looks to be one hell of a good time at the theater.

As I said, this one isn’t going for Oscar’s, but likely be more in the vein of Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol ,  it looks to simply be a fun movie with some cool action set-pieces. Also, the playback between Pine and Costner is a nice touch, and Branagh as the stoic russian villain could surely add to the entertainment.

The first official poster was also released:

Jack Ryan Shadow Recruit Poster

The film is due out Christmas Day against a packed line-up of new releases including Keanu Reeve’s 47 Ronin, Ben Stiller’s The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, the expansion to wide release of the new David O’ Russle film, American Hustle, and the De Niro vs. Stallone boxing movieGrudge Match