Toy Story 3 – The Review

Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, Estelle Harris, John Ratzenberger, Ned Beatty
Rated G

Story: Andy is now 17 and off to college, his old toys have been sitting in his toy trunk for years.  Now, before taking Woody off to college, the rest of the old gang is being donated to Sunnyside Daycare with a whole bunch of old donated toys with an eerie sense of community amongst toddlers.  Everything isn’t so great, and it’s up to Woody to choose between life with Andy in college and saving his long-time pals. 

Acting/Dialogue: I don’t know where to begin here.  The big names are back to take on their iconic roles once again, Tom and Tim bringing their characters back from obscurity (it’s been almost 15 years now since the first movie, 11 from the second) and no one can forget them.  I would say this would be something Oscar-winning for the entire cast, but it’s a children’s film so the dialogue is going to be simple and understandable for all ages.  It’s really all in the personality of the different characters.  Whether it be Ken’s charisma or Buzz’s commanding nature, it’s all charming and quite good to see nothing has changed from the original formula.

What also made another high point are the interactions between all the toys, not just the Woody/Buzz show constantly going on with the other movies.  Sure there were some obvious pairings (Ken and Barbie, Mr. and mrs. Potato Head, etc.) but there were some unique buddy-buddy moments that made me smile a bit and others that made my inner child want to go running through Toys R Us just to make that happen in real life.

Visuals/CGI/3D: Okay, just so we’re clear, I’m not a fan of 3D in everything except Avatar and Meet The Robinsons.  I’m also slightly impartial when it comes to animated films because of the usual plastic-style look they usually have and how goofy they can look. 

That being said, I liked how Pixar took some risks here in its staple movie franchise, adding in some bold new technology and opting for 3D to get that extra depth in the already vibrant colors and more animation in the characters.  And it isn’t just how the different toys looked all the time, trust me, there were a lot of toys kids beat up nearly every day of the week; it’s more of how they look AFTER kids happened.  The plastic look-and-feel didn’t bother me at all, the 3D did at points, but not too much. 

Hey!  It’s That Toy!  First off, the toys are what make the movie; but up until now the toys have simply been the ones you only see in the US. none from other countries or cartoons.  Plus, there were noticeably some toys present that were missing from the completely nostalgic picture.  Now that there’s another movie with an even bigger cast with some silly little things everywhere (the peas-in-the-pod and the roll-around-phone are some notables) and the addition of more plush toys as well. 

Overall: I had no reservations walking into the movie with someone I cared about, because it’s that kind of movie for all ages and statuses.  It was my childhood, it’s 15 years in the making, it was the right time to get Andy all grown up and pass off the plastic; and time for all of us to say goodbye.  The last hurrah isn’t a half-assed effort like the Shrek movies, it was one of the most heartwarming movies I had seen all year.  And in those last few minutes of the film, anyone who has been along for the ride will be screaming not to get off, even with Buzz and Woody out of the box… and before I spoil anything in regards to the end, no they DON’T START TALKING TO ANDY.  And now, you’ll just have to watch. 

RATING

9.7/10