In that early episode, which began a new classic era of animation, the devoted cowboy Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), representative of the Old Frontier, is challenged for supremacy by the astronaut Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), boastfully confident avatar of the boldly-going New Frontier, who doesn't believe he's a toy. The charming, semi-abstract whimsicality of Day & Night puts us in the right mood to encounter for the third time, and in unobtrusive 3D, the toys we first met in little Andy's nursery back in 1995. The pair mime their challenges and at the end come to accept their happy, complementary roles.

Within the outline of each two-dimensional figure we're shown 3D images of the world in sunlight and moonlight, of Las Vegas neon-lit by night and under blue skies by day. One, it transpires, is the surly Night, the other the cheerful Day. Two amorphous, asexual creatures вЂ“ like cartoon ghosts вЂ“ confront each other against a flat, black background. In this case it's the delightful, five-minute Day & Night, directed by Teddy Newton, who worked on The Incredibles, Ratatouille and the magnificent Pixar short Presto, which accompanied Wall-E.

A s always, the generous gang at Pixar films offer excellent value, starting with the usual bonus of an animated short as a curtain raiser for the feature.

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