An absolutely dreadful summer at the movies is rescued by the wizards at Pixar. Toy Story 3 is a joy to behold, a beacon of greatness in a sea of cinematic swill. I doubt you will find a better ninety minutes of entertainment this year. The story picks up with Andy (John Morris) going to college. He’s long outgrown his favorite toys - Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack), Hamm (John Raztenberger), Rex (Wallace Shawn), and the bickering Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head (Don Rickles, Estelle Harris). He decides to take Woody with him and store the other toys in the attic, but a mix up causes the bag of toys to be thrown to the curb. Feeling neglected, the toy crew ignores Woody’s warnings and hides in a donation box to the local day care, Sunny Side. At first the toys feel like they’ve hit the jackpot. Loads of kids to play with, lots of other toys, but the truth of their situation becomes apparent under the frightening regime of Lotso (Ned Beatty), a strawberry scented bear not to be trifled with.
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Toy Story 3’s success is based on its brilliant and moving screenplay. Screenwriter Michael Arndt is clearly an early Oscar candidate for his work here. Based on ideas from Pixar veterans John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton, the plot is the essentially timeless tale of growing up and moving on. As Andy leaves home, the toys are forced to question their place in the universe. What happens to them? What’s their purpose? It also shows how rash decisions can have terrible consequences. Friendship and loyalty, recurring themes in all Pixar films, are present here as well. There’s one scene in particular where Andy describes why Woody is his favorite toy that had me misty-eyed. Kudos to the Pixar team for their continued focus on quality writing.
Don’t break out the hankies just yet. Toy Story 3 is also damn funny and packed with action. I thought Pixar went a bit overboard with the drama last year in “Up”. They tone down the sadness and ramp up the action here. The escape from Sunny Side and ensuing climax are riveting, especially in the spectacular digital 3D. Great visual effects don’t make a movie, but do add a lot here. The 3D age is in full swing with the crisp CGI animation and IMAX format of today.
I do want to comment on the two douchebag contrarians that lambasted Toy Story 3 on Rotten Tomatoes. I have no issue with not liking the film, that’s the not the case. These two wankers, which I won’t name and give any more press, shot down this film because it was so well-liked. They revel in being the outliers and did a disservice to legitimate film criticism with their actions. Just because something is corporate doesn’t mean it sucks. I’ve contemplated suicide sitting through hours of shitty Indie and Studio films alike. Art has to be based on the material, not the funding, and it’s a sad day when so-called critics cannot accept a tremendous film like this one.
Ranting aside, I put this film as the best in the Toy Story series. The first film was Pixar’s groundbreaking hit. It spawned a commitment to filmmaking excellence unrivaled by any other studio since. It’s fitting that they end the Toy Story series on such a high note. Not to be missed in 3D, Toy Story 3 is the pinnacle of this summer’s films.
