Pixar has only done one thing wrong over the years: they’ve made movies that are too good. They originally and seemingly set out to make kids’ films, but their stories and characters wound up being so damn good that adults wound up enjoying the films more than the kids. Suddenly, Pixar found themselves in the business of making kids’ movies that adults can enjoy. With TOY STORY 3, not only did Pixar need to maintain their older audience (who at this point have very fond memories of the first film), but they also needed to polish off a trilogy that would remain faithful to the franchise, and end things with dignity. How did Pixar do? Simply put, TOY STORY 3 is a heavy film that will have adults fulfilled and kids entertained; providing the latter doesn’t get scared out of the theatre.
Young Andy, now at the age of 17, is packing for college and must decide which of his favorite toys he must donate to a daycare or stow in the attic. One thing leads to another, and our hero-toys, led by Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen), find themselves in the Sunnyside day care. The toys of the day care are led by an evil (!) plush bear named Lots-O-Huggin (or Lotso, voiced by Ned Beatty). Lotso and his minions banish our familiar TOY STORY toys to toddler-land, where they are roughly played with. Woody finds himself separated from his friends in his attempts to get back to Andy, and makes his way back to Sunnyside to rescue them.
TOY STORY 3 is a not-so-original story of friends sticking together, being pitted against each other, and then binding together at the end. What makes it work so well here are the strong characters. From a kids’ point of view, Woody and Buzz and the lot have never been more entertaining or fun to watch. The toys run, jump, and bounce in ways that are sure to keep a lot of size-5’s happy. The story is also a lock to keep adults entertained, as there are heavy-handed elements of friendship and loyalty present throughout. There is also a strong religious undertone present, which doesn’t reveal itself until the very end. When it does reveal, every adult will slap their foreheads, having never seen it coming. Not to worry, for its something that is bound to fly right over the kids’ heads. There are elements and scenes borrowed from other great movie trilogies (STAR WARS and LOTR leap out), and the filmmakers as a whole really threw in everything but the kitchen sink in this their last shot in the TOY STORY universe.
This TOY STORY is darker, more violent, and scarier than any Pixar film made. The violence begins nearly right away, and the darker imagery and peril the characters are put into almost seem out of place in a film with a Disney logo up front. The presence of a strong villain creates great conflict for our heroes to rally against. Lotso also manages to be well developed and actually put into situations where the audience can and will feel sympathy for him.
The grand finale is incredibly fulfilling and loaded with tearjerking moments. It is a bittersweet ending, with proper wraps to every character. This is a strong film that deserves to put near the top of the Pixar greats, if not near the top of anyone’s list of overall greats; adults and kids alike.
And the short film up front, DAY AND NIGHT, may just be one of the greatest short films ever made.
BOTTOM LINE: See it
I absolutely can't wait to see this movie! Loved it since the very first one before my son was even born. When the second one came out he was 2 and it was his first movie in the theaters...he fell in love with Buzz and Woody. I have professional pics that were taken with Joey and his Buzz and Woody. Fond memories...I had walkie-talkies with army men taped to string hanging from them. Hysterical!
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