Now imagine that premise but like ten times more horrifying and you get The Brave Little Toaster. In the first film of that most perfect of trilogies, some inanimate objects get lost and have to find their way back home before their owner moves away. And a black hand grabs The Master away.A couple of articles ago, I stated that a series of movies about inanimate objects that were secretly alive when people weren't looking was the only perfect trilogy in the history of cinema. But suddenly, black smoke emits from Toasters slots. While still in the “forest phase,” Toaster peacefully dreams of his happy days gone by with The Master, as he makes toasts and faces in his chrome. But once you get into to it, you see that there’s more there than the colorful video cover would have you believe.īesides having one of the saddest moments ever, it also has one of the most terrifying. First off, family friendly animation would have you believe that this is a sweet children’s story about finding your way home ala Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey. In many ways, The Brave Little Toaster is a very uneven film. Disch saying something about technology’s relation to nature? Is this scene even in the book? Or did the animators think the story was lagging a little on the depressing storyline venue? As if being abandoned by the one person who loves them isn’t enough, now they have to break our hearts with this poor, wilting flower. What’s the point of this scene? Countless times, I’ve seen this movie and still, I do not know. When the cottage is put up for sale, the group decides to seek out their Master, certain that he still needs them. But after years of waiting, the group is growing ever more edgy. Five appliances (six, if you include the pessimistic Air Conditioner) are left to their own devices, and continually clean and take care of the cottage and await the day when their beloved Master (a ten-year-old boy) returns. The film begins in a quaint little cottage in the middle of a forest. Drawn in an era of “animal movies” ( The Secret of NIMH, An American Tale, Oliver & Company), this film sets itself aside and was the only one of its kind until Toy Story came along. But you must remember, The Brave Little Toaster is not your average 80’s animated film. It’s not your average origin story for a film, especially for an animated film. So, to make a long story short…someone else made The Brave Little Toaster, but Disney owns it. Finally, sometime between July of 1988 and September of 1991, Disney acquired the rights to the film and distributed it on home video. Despite all this hoopla, Toaster never had a nationwide theatrical release. It was considered for Sundance’s Grand Jury Prize, nominated for the “Outstanding Animated Program” Emmy, and recognized with a Parents’ Choice Award. The following January, Toaster was shown at the Sundance Film Festival, and was the first and only (until 2001’s Waking Life) animated film to be entered. In the summer of 1987, it debuted on the Disney Channel. Some time in the mid 80’s, it was adapted into the animated film we know and love today. Sigh… This is kind of a long story, so get comfortable…įirst of all, The Brave Little Toaster is based on a novella by Thomas M. “What!?” you say, “But my Video/DVD cases says it’s Disney!” My apologies to those looking for animated crime thriller, but truly, The Brave Little Toaster is full enough without adding gang wars and drug smuggling.Īlthough most people consider The Brave Little Toaster to be a Disney movie (as they do with all animated movies), they are wrong, wrong, WRONG. Film #6 is a combination of the last four. So far in this Epic Grand Ranking Attempt, I have reviewed one crime drama, one fantasy, one family film, one comedy, and one animated feature. Tagline: Imagine if your toaster went on a journey of its own! Plot: A toaster, a lamp, a radio, a vacuum cleaner, and an electric blanket set out on a journey to find their original owner.
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