It’s hard to argue with the fact that Pixar Animation makes fun, innovative and quality family films. So it should be no surprise to anyone that “Toy Story 3,” the third chapter in the popular “Toy Story” film series is just as entertaining, funny and impressive to watch as the first film. Where the second movie seemed to be running out of steam towards the end, this film appears to have been reinvigorated by a great original script by writer Michael Arndt and wonderful new characters voiced by incredible actors such as Michael Keaton, Ned Beatty, Whoopi Goldberg, Timothy Dalton, Jeff Garlin and Kristen Schaal. Of course no “Toy Story” film would be complete without it’s iconic leads, Woody and Buzz, and Two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks and Tim Allen return in rare form as the film’s heroes.
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What works about this movie is the strong story, which I felt was missing from the second film. This movie not only entertains but also deals sensitively with very heavy issues such as growing up and adjusting to change but in the end is very much about friendship and redemption. The story feels tight and not loose or all over the place. Pixar clearly worked hard to make this film live up to the “Toy Story” name and didn’t just throw something together. The characters have grown and changed a bit since the last time we saw them and really have full arcs, which is strange to say for cartoon characters. But for many, we have grown up on these characters so to see them come full circle is a real treat. Not only is Andy saying goodbye to his toys to go off to College but we as a movie going audience are also saying goodbye to these characters (until this film makes a boat load of money and we have “Toy Story 4”) and the importance of this is not lost on the filmmakers or the voice actors.
The film begins with a terrific opening right out of a John Wayne movie. At first you might think that you are watching the wrong movie if it wasn’t for the recognizable signature Pixar animation. The scene is a great train robbery orchestrated by the evil Mr. Potato Head (living legend Don Rickles who is as hilarious as ever) with Woody (the incomparable Tom Hanks) and Jessie (the wonderful Joan Cusack) heading him off at the pass to save the day. When Mr. Potato Head and his associates become too much for Woody and Jessie to handle, of course, Buzz Lightyear (the smart and funny Tim Allen) is to the rescue. Eventually the scene is revealed to be a fantasy sequence of Andy playing with his toys, which is then revealed to be on videotape and is from the past. We catch up with our lovable toys when Andy is eighteen and about to go to college. Andy’s mother has given him an ultimatum, either throw his toys away, put them in the attic or donate them to a day care center. Andy decides to take Woody to school with him but that the rest of the toys are going to the attic. At first the toys don’t like the idea of spending the rest of their days in an empty attic but Woody and Buzz convince them all that it is what’s best.
But when Andy’s Mom mistakes the attic bound toys for trash, all heck breaks loose. Now Woody is on a mission to get the toys back so they can go to their proper place. However the toys are hurt, they don’t believe Woody when he tells them that Andy meant for them to be kept and that this is all one big mistake. Upset and angry, Jessie convinces the rest that they have to take charge of their own destiny and decide to go to the day care center themselves. Woody follows trying to change their minds but when they arrive they meet Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear (acting legend Ned Beatty), a giant pink bear that is in charge of the toys. Lotso welcomes the toys with open arms and tells them how Sunnyside day care is a wonderful place and somewhere they will be loved and played with forever. Woody’s not buying it and decides to leave but his friends unfortunately want to stay. Woody leaves feeling rejected but before he can make it back to Andy, he is swooped up and taken home by a youngster named Bonnie. She is a sweet girl and soon Woody meets her toys, which include Mr. Pricklepants (a dry but funny Timothy Dalton) Trixie (Kristen Schaal, who’s voice is perfect for this film), Buttercup (the lovable Jeff Garlin) and Dolly (the always great Bonnie Hunt).
Bonnie’s toys soon tell Woody the horrible truth about Sunnyside, that it is a prison for toys run by Lotso and his cohorts, Stretch (an octopus played by Whoopi Goldberg and Ken (from Barbie fame perfectly played by Michael Keaton). Apparently what happens is Lotso makes all the new toys stay in the nursery where they are beaten, colored and destroyed by infants, while the rest of the toys are living the good life with the older kids. Woody’s friends are finding this out right now, first hand. But now Woody is a man on a mission and must break into Sunnyside and breakout his friends in time to get them home to the attic so Woody can go off to college with Andy. But no one has ever broken out of Sunnyside before and when Lotso finds out what is going on he won’t make it easy for Woody and his pals. The movie was absolutely wonderful and had everything that any fan would want to finish this chapter of the story. Without giving anything away, the film does end on a happy note and in a way that allows you to imagine a whole new chapter of the franchise beginning.
My only complaint about the film, and it is a minor one, is why did they have to try and jump on the 3-D bandwagon? I know that they did some amazing stuff with “Up” but my feeling here is that Pixar’s animation is so close to 3-D to begin with that it is not necessary. It didn’t enhance the experience for me like “Avatar” or even “Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs” did. It was kind of underwhelming. Wearing the glasses didn’t add anything, other than making the film not blurry for me. I know that this was shot in 3-D so it’s not a transfer issue like with “Alice In Wonderland,” I guess what I’m saying is that with a story as strong as this and characters that are so beloved, the 3-D seemed like a cheep gimmick. Other than that, this film is a masterpiece in animation and family entertainment. The script is brilliant, the animation is revolutionary, the characters are perfect and the voice acting is superb. If you have children, they will absolutely adore this film and the best part is … so will you!
