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The Family Reel Movie Reviews
Now Showing on The Family Reel with Christopher Echols
Toy Story 3
Sequels are a funny thing. Often they are watered down versions of the original with too many characters stuffed into each scene and overlapping storylines that leave you bewildered as to who’s doing what. As studios seem out of original ideas as of late, it feels like theatres are overrun by the 2nd and 3rd entries in multiple film series, and sometimes they just lack the magic that the first movies managed to deliver. Leave it to Pixar to be the diamond in the rough however. With “Toy Story 3”, the studio that crafted cinema classics such as “The Incredibles”, “Wall-E” and “Up”, brings us a film that not only surpasses the original “Toy Story” and the endearing “Toy Story 2”, but manages to be the most heartwarming and entertaining picture to hit in 2010 thus far.
Tom Hanks and Tim Allen return as best pals Woody and Buzz, along with the same star-studded cast that graced the prior entries, including Joan Cusack as Jessie, Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head and John Ratzenberger as Hamm. The third picture finds Andy all grown up and ready to head off to college, and the toys pondering what’s next for them as it’s been years since they were played with and multiple attempts to garner Andy’s attention have failed. After a series of mishaps puts the toys in route to local Sunnyside Daycare, they find themselves in a new world surrounded not only by other toys that have long since been abandoned by their owners, but a slew of children eager for new play things. Among the new cast members are loveable Lotso the Bear(voiced by veteran actor Ned Beatty) who presides over the daycare with a seemingly gentle furry paw, and resident tour guide Ken(a pitch-perfect Michael Keaton) who seems determined to win the affections of Andy’s sister’s Barbie who made the trip with Woody, Buzz and the others. All may not be what it seems at Sunnyside however, and the toys must decide if they belong with these new friends they’ve encountered, or loyal to their owner Andy, no matter if that means a lifetime of dwelling in the attic.
Honestly, it’s hard to not just gush over the excellence with which this film was crafted. Top to bottom, from voice acting to animation, it truly is a work of art. The film manages to convey what it is to grow up and can connect with anyone young or old who’s been through that stage where you have to let things go and move on. A couple dark moments occur with a few damaged toys having unattractive appearances, but only the youngest of viewers would find any issue with this.
At the end of the day, Pixar has knocked another one way out of the park, and continues to dominate the animation world as well as crafting excellent storytelling all films should take notice of. A complete success in every way and one of the most fitting endings to a series of films I have ever had the pleasure of viewing.
Grade: A+
Posted on 18 Jun 2010 by Woodlands Family Magazine
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