Separation
Ordinary World
In this stage, the journey is yet to begin. In Andy’s bedroom, toys come to life and talk when they are alone. Woody is the tacit leader of all the toys, and he is Andy’s favorite.
Call to Adventure
This phase highlights the phase with which the hero leaves their comfort zone. Andy’s birthday party raises much anxiety among the toys. The latter wonder whether he will get a new toy, which he does – a toy by the name Buzz Lightyear. Buzz is a flashy novel spaceman and the moment he shows up, all the other toys like him, making Woody worried.
Refusal of the Call
Not every hero accepts this call immediately. In the film, Woody is not impressed with Buzz and feels he is still Andy’s favorite. Woody does not want to share Andy, and he tries his possible best to belittle Buzz in front of the other toys to maintain the pecking order.
Meeting with the Mentor
Here, the hero has decided to embark on the adventure. Most Pixar films depict conflicted mentors; that is, mentors do not appear to be mentors immediately. However, Buzz seems like one. Woody needs to learn about sharing and teamwork. Initially, Buzz attempts reaching out to Woody as “local law enforcement” and is open to cooperating. Unlike Buzz’s gesture, Woody is not into cooperating. Over time, the latter learns from Buzz, and the two end up becoming allies.
Crossing the First Threshold
The hero is now ready and committed. Woody ‘accidentally’ pushes Buzz out of the window. If Andy’s house and room represent the ordinary world, then anything outside represents an unusual world where characters may visit and get stuck. In this scene, Woody’s action serves as a robust visual cue to the other world, and the gap in between, which he needs to cross in the quest to find Andy.
Initiation
Tests, Allies, Enemies
In this second act of the film, Buzz initially seems like an enemy. Still, like many other Pixar films, viewers can see that some ‘enemies’ posses significant lessons to teach, and the former can learn a lot from the challenges presented by those enemies.
Approach the Inmost Cave
The inmost cave is unlike the physical one. In this film, Sid’s room serves as the cave. While this room, in the physical sense, is the inmost cave, Buzz enters a psychological incave – a dark and frightening setting – in the aftermath of discovering that he is literally a toy and not a spaceman.
Supreme Ordeal
Until now, none of the hero’s tests, none have made them hit rock bottom. Woody, stuck in Sid’s room, is trapped under a cave and cannot rescue buzz from being blown up.
Return
Reward
In the aftermath of Woody’s discovery about the mutant toys’ friendly nature, he resumes his leadership role and commences learning the value of teamwork and cooperation. While working with the other toys in planning Buzz’s rescue, Woody’s true attribute – stemming from the discovery of his inferior toy status and empathy for Buzz – shines one more time. Sid is defeated and possibly permanently scared enough not to harm another toy again.
The Road Back
The toys’ freedom enables them to head back home. However, after escaping Sid, Woody and Buzz see Andy leaving with the moving truck.
Resurrection
Mirroring a previous scene where the toys resist what they perceive as Woody’s Judas moment, the former toss him one more time. The attempt ends up successful as Woody manages to catch the truck. However, this act tosses him to a symbolic demise among the remaining toys, only for Buzz to save him.
Return with the Elixir
All the elixir the toys need is the reunion with their beloved Andy. Besides, Buzz’s friendship marks another elixir. Moreover, Woody learns that teamwork and cooperation have not only made him a better cowboy but also a better leader.