Christian Principles Demonstrated by the Toy Story Aliens

Jun 20, 2010
Alex Sharp

The Aliens Represent the Faithful in Toy Story 3 - Stefan (Creative Commons License)

The little green men are in the world, not of it, just as Jesus commanded. Christian themes are illustrated throughout the three Toy Story films.

After 15 years of blind faith, the green aliens proved that they knew their Claw theology. Through the first two Toy Story movies, the aliens are minor characters, and they are even more diminished in the third movie until the end. In Toy Story 3, the Claw finally decides who will stay and who will go, but the force of the Claw is directed by the faithful aliens.

Faithful Followers of the Claw: In the World, Not of It

The adorable green aliens of the Toy Story series have always stayed true to one mantra: "The Claw is our master." In the first Toy Story movie, being pulled up by the claw is an honor. "I have been chosen! Farewell, my friends. I go on to a better place." This connects to John 15:18, when Jesus explains his relationship with his faithful followers, "You are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world." (New King James Version)

The aliens never fight their destinies. When Woody tries to pull the chosen alien out of the claw to protect him from Sid, the other aliens chastise him, saying, "He must go! Do not fight the Claw!" Woody bitterly calls them zealots. The other aliens look on, hopeful and happy as the Claw pulls the alien out of the crowd. The little alien was right about his destiny. Despite the risky drives in the pizza delivery truck and the dangers lurking in the shadows of Sid's house, the aliens made it to Andy's bedroom.

After failing to have faith and giving in to the temptations of the devilish teddy bear Lotso, the friends find themselves living Psalm 73:15: "Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin." (English Standard Version). They accept that they cannot save themselves from the fiery incinerator, and they hold hands in faith and face death together. It is then that the Claw that saves them. After years of letting the Claw control their destinies, the Claw is powered by the faith of the little green aliens, who use it to save their friends.

Christian Motifs in Toy Story

Of all of the characters in the Toy Story trilogy, the aliens are the most otherworldly beings. Buzz is a Space Ranger and clearly based on a human form, but the little green men, as they are called in the Star Command spin-offs, are not of the same world as the other toys. They are noticeably unconcerned about Andy's presence. They are happy to be played with, and one alien is shown playing at Bonnie's house in Toy Story 3, but they do not complain. The only time they stop talking about the claw is when they focus on Mr. Potato Head.

In Toy Story 2, the aliens demonstrate the Christian virtue of gratitude after they are rescued by Mr. Potato head. Much to his annoyance of the Mr. Potato Head they repeatedly thank him with a key phrase, "We are eternally grateful." While as a stand-alone phrase it does not seem remarkably Christian, the word "eternal" takes on more significance when one looks at the aliens as symbolically Christian. Eternity is a key Christian concept; the resurrection is a promise of eternal life.

While the Christian themes and Biblical references in the Toy Story movies may not have been intentionally written into the movies, they are easy to find. The three theological virtues are supported throughout the trilogy, as are the Christian virtues of sacrifice and redemption. A study of the Biblical principles in the Toy Story movies could be a fun way to grow spiritually.

Related Reading:

Sources:

Toy Story was released in November, 1995 by Pixar Animation Studios. It was distributed by Pixar's parent company, Walt Disney Pictures. Quotations were confirmed through IMDB and IMSDB.

Toy Story 2 was released in November, 1999 by Pixar Animation Studios. It was distributed by Pixar's parent company, Walt Disney Pictures. Quotations were confirmed through IMDB.

Toy Story 3 was released in June, 2010 by Pixar Animation Studios. It was distributed by Pixar's parent company, Walt Disney Pictures.

The English Standard Version of the Bible is copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. It was accessed through Youversion's online Bible translations. The New King James Version of the Bible is widely available in the public domain, and it was also accessed through Youversion.