I'm of the view that Toy Story *did* give us the greatest cinematic use of Deus Ex Machina, but not until 15 years later. Keep in mind Deus Ex Machina translates as "God in the Machine", and originated with Greek Theatre. The climax of the incinerator scene in TS3 fits the Deus Ex Machina trope even better than Buzz flying (or "falling with style") in TS1. The first important difference is the rescuing 'entity' (in this case, the mechanical claw) suddenly enters the scene, having been off-screen at the time. When the claw first appears, the animators make use of dazzling, heavenly white light, a choral voicing in the soundtrack akin to a church choir (heralding this 'miracle'), with salvation arriving 'from above' (the heavens), just as an actor playing a god would descend from above in Greek theatre. Centring that moment on a crane-like apparatus further evokes the use of a crane (or perhaps 'pulley') system back in Greek Theatre; actors playing deities would be lowered on ropes from above the stage. Obviously Lee Unkrich (TS3 director) and the writers totally knew what they were doing here with the famous Deus Ex Machina trope. This being Pixar, of course, they also manage to avoid the *negative* associations DEM has with 'lazy' writing. How? Because of the events leading up to it. It is a surprising event, but not a non-sequitur, due to an expertly handled set-up that even (arguably) stretches back two films earlier in the series! First, regarding viewer engagement more generally, the stakes are raised considerably from earlier films because the entire toy ensemble (rather than just one or two toys at a time) are confronting their most intense and palpable threat: death by fire. Connotations with 'hell' are no accident, which is a knowing antithesis with the 'God' soon to emerge. Elsewhere, the film's villain Lotso is set up to potentially undergo a 'redemption arc' (compassionate Woody saves him on the conveyor belt moments earlier..."we're all in this together"...despite all of Lotso's abhorrent acts earlier in the film), but - twist!!! - his potential to develop as a character and reciprocate Woody's altruism *never happens* when he bitterly decides NOT to press the emergency stop button, which is shocking for a first-time viewer. Finally, unlike 'bad' versions of Deus Ex Machina (when the screenplay has "written itself into a corner"), the actual means of rescue manages to surprise while never feeling incongruous, because it's been set-up in TS3 by the aliens departing the ensemble two minutes earlier (to follow a JCB with a claw), which reminds us of their initial introduction two films ago where they were introduced through their devotion to their 'master' or 'God' hovering in the sky above them, which is, of course, "the claaaaaaaaaaw" in Pizza Planet claw machine game (TS1). So, remarkably, this 'Claw God' in TS3's climax is set-up (retrospectively) in the 1995 film, even though the trilogy - let alone its dramatic climax - wasn't even considered at the time. Remember their mystical devotion to the claw? “The claw CHOOSES who will stay, and who will leave.” (Like a god chooses who lives or dies.) So Pixar’s writers not only used the Deus Ex Machina trope but made it more sophisticated than usual, surrounding it with better ideas and writing, which makes it the best use of the trope in cinema EVER! Genius!!
By the way, how did Buzz cut that duck tape with plastic wings? that was either bad tape, which I doubt since it holded that long, or those wing are really sharp, forget the falling with style every Buzz Lightyear should be recalled for having sharp edges.
Yea this was my thought as well. The climactic "flying" seen doesn't feel magical, because even as a kid I didn't interpret it as flying, but rather just gliding. But you're right, the ability of Buzz's wings to cut the duct tape is much weirder and does feel magical.
This is more of a Deus ex Machina in its theoretical/construct form. IMO the best example of it would be in the Matrix 1. Neo literally becomes a god from the machine and solves all the problems. Its very satisfying though because it is somewhat unexpected but it fits completely in line with the rest of the story. Let me know what you think. Great content though was surprised to see no comments yet. Thought you’d be way bigger.
that is so interesting - and I agree. Need to give it a rewatch asap - haven't seen it for a few years. Do you watch Broey Deschanel's videos? She did one recently on the sheer number of brilliant films from 1999, made me want to watch Fight Club, The Matrix, Cruel Intentions, American Beauty, Being John Malkovich, Toy Story 2(!) again. Cheers for watching, appreciated.
I'm of the view that Toy Story *did* give us the greatest cinematic use of Deus Ex Machina, but not until 15 years later.
Keep in mind Deus Ex Machina translates as "God in the Machine", and originated with Greek Theatre.
The climax of the incinerator scene in TS3 fits the Deus Ex Machina trope even better than Buzz flying (or "falling with style") in TS1. The first important difference is the rescuing 'entity' (in this case, the mechanical claw) suddenly enters the scene, having been off-screen at the time. When the claw first appears, the animators make use of dazzling, heavenly white light, a choral voicing in the soundtrack akin to a church choir (heralding this 'miracle'), with salvation arriving 'from above' (the heavens), just as an actor playing a god would descend from above in Greek theatre. Centring that moment on a crane-like apparatus further evokes the use of a crane (or perhaps 'pulley') system back in Greek Theatre; actors playing deities would be lowered on ropes from above the stage.
Obviously Lee Unkrich (TS3 director) and the writers totally knew what they were doing here with the famous Deus Ex Machina trope.
This being Pixar, of course, they also manage to avoid the *negative* associations DEM has with 'lazy' writing. How? Because of the events leading up to it. It is a surprising event, but not a non-sequitur, due to an expertly handled set-up that even (arguably) stretches back two films earlier in the series!
First, regarding viewer engagement more generally, the stakes are raised considerably from earlier films because the entire toy ensemble (rather than just one or two toys at a time) are confronting their most intense and palpable threat: death by fire. Connotations with 'hell' are no accident, which is a knowing antithesis with the 'God' soon to emerge. Elsewhere, the film's villain Lotso is set up to potentially undergo a 'redemption arc' (compassionate Woody saves him on the conveyor belt moments earlier..."we're all in this together"...despite all of Lotso's abhorrent acts earlier in the film), but - twist!!! - his potential to develop as a character and reciprocate Woody's altruism *never happens* when he bitterly decides NOT to press the emergency stop button, which is shocking for a first-time viewer. Finally, unlike 'bad' versions of Deus Ex Machina (when the screenplay has "written itself into a corner"), the actual means of rescue manages to surprise while never feeling incongruous, because it's been set-up in TS3 by the aliens departing the ensemble two minutes earlier (to follow a JCB with a claw), which reminds us of their initial introduction two films ago where they were introduced through their devotion to their 'master' or 'God' hovering in the sky above them, which is, of course, "the claaaaaaaaaaw" in Pizza Planet claw machine game (TS1).
So, remarkably, this 'Claw God' in TS3's climax is set-up (retrospectively) in the 1995 film, even though the trilogy - let alone its dramatic climax - wasn't even considered at the time. Remember their mystical devotion to the claw? “The claw CHOOSES who will stay, and who will leave.” (Like a god chooses who lives or dies.)
So Pixar’s writers not only used the Deus Ex Machina trope but made it more sophisticated than usual, surrounding it with better ideas and writing, which makes it the best use of the trope in cinema EVER!
Genius!!
By the way, how did Buzz cut that duck tape with plastic wings? that was either bad tape, which I doubt since it holded that long, or those wing are really sharp, forget the falling with style every Buzz Lightyear should be recalled for having sharp edges.
Yea this was my thought as well. The climactic "flying" seen doesn't feel magical, because even as a kid I didn't interpret it as flying, but rather just gliding. But you're right, the ability of Buzz's wings to cut the duct tape is much weirder and does feel magical.
This is more of a Deus ex Machina in its theoretical/construct form. IMO the best example of it would be in the Matrix 1. Neo literally becomes a god from the machine and solves all the problems. Its very satisfying though because it is somewhat unexpected but it fits completely in line with the rest of the story. Let me know what you think. Great content though was surprised to see no comments yet. Thought you’d be way bigger.
that is so interesting - and I agree. Need to give it a rewatch asap - haven't seen it for a few years. Do you watch Broey Deschanel's videos? She did one recently on the sheer number of brilliant films from 1999, made me want to watch Fight Club, The Matrix, Cruel Intentions, American Beauty, Being John Malkovich, Toy Story 2(!) again.
Cheers for watching, appreciated.