Review: TOY STORY 3 tugs at heart strings

   Toy Story is better than Toy Story 3. It’s better than Toy Story 2. Pixar’s first foray into feature length computer animated films is better than Up, Wall-E, and every other film Pixar has made in an attempt to recapture the magic that was Toy Story. In doing so, Pixar has failed to recapture that magic. However, what they have done, is create an all new magic with each film, making each one a classic in its own right, if just marginally inferior to Toy Story. The main problem is that Toy Story was just so ground breaking, its writing so pure hearted, and its characters so memorable that any other Pixar film just cannot be as good. But then again, does it have to be? Does the mere fact that a film is not as good as Toy Story make it any more or less enjoyable? Of course not, and that is part of the reason why Toy Story 3 is, in simplest terms, amazing.

   The original film was amazing in its own right, a near perfect film I would say. Toy Story 3 too is a near perfect film, and any criticism of it could be narrowed down to severe nitpicking. Perhaps some of the jokes were predictable, but when you have characters like the Little Green Men (as called in the series Buzz Lightyear of Star Command) who only say a handful of phrases, you can kind of guess what they’re going to say next. You could argue that the themes of the film are just retread of the second film’s theme. And while they may hold a similar theme, the telling of said theme couldn't be further from that of the second one. At the end of the second film, there is a sense that even when Andy has grown up, the toys will still have one another. At the start of the third in the series, you see that this theory has been proven false, as most of the gang has been split up, by way of trash, donation, or yard sale. Even very popular or important (whether through their own actions or by their influence on other characters) characters are missing from this tale, and not because of a lack of voice actors or anything of that nature (Blake Clarke’s spot on performance as Slinky should show that a missing voice actor shouldn’t be a problem). Rather, these missing characters are missing due to the influence their absence has on the characters. Arguably, Bo Peep’s disappearance is the most shocking, but handled in a way to show that Woody, while still not over her, has tried to move on, showing real, genuine emotion that furthers his character.

   The beginning of the film where this information is given is odd, due to the contrast in scenes. It starts with a very clever, humorous account of Andy playing and bonding with his toys over the years (all filmed by his mom). This footage then cuts out, as the music fades away into silence at the line of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”, that says “our friendship will never die…”. If that’s not an ominous way to start a family film, I don’t know what is. All in all, this feels like a much darker film, yet it had a lot more laughs it seems than the prior films. It sounds odd I know, but Pixar found a very good balance between engrossing dark themes that can actually make you question your own existence, and goofy comedy that walks on the edge of ridiculousness for a laugh you’ll be more than happy to have.

   Speaking of characters, I would say that almost all of the characters in this movie with perhaps one or two exceptions are round yes, but quite static. There is almost no character growth, though that’s not to say there’s no change in thinking. That being said however, if you look at all three films together, as they should be, then you will certainly see a change in character, Buzz and Woody in particular. You would think the removal of key characters and the addition of around fourteen new ones would hinder the storytelling, but it doesn’t at all. In fact, the way information about characters is either revealed or concealed makes for a much more interesting movie, and characters that we can be more emotionally involved in. The villain in this film is much closer to Sid than Prospector Pete, though he does share similarities with both. On the one hand, you could argue that his intentions are for the best of those around him, even if they, in reality, aren’t. Then again, he never really sees the error of his ways like Sid did (of course, due to Pixar’s fantastic storytelling, emotions aren’t expressed, but implied, and he very well may have. Not to mention it’s only implied that Sid felt bad about what he did, but he could have just had the crap scared out of him by the “demonic” toys).


   One big part of Pixar films is just how many references and in jokes they cram into their films. I won't go through all of them, the fun part is finding them for yourselves, but I will mention one, because I missed it the first time round (somehow). Pay attention to the young garbage collector. You might recognize him from a prior Toy Story film.

   I feel like I’ve only touched on parts of this film, but there’s a good reason for it. You really have to experience it for yourself. If I go into too much detail, then the film won’t have the same special quality that it had for me when I watched it. The writing is top notch, the emotion presented is eerily real, the new characters do their jobs well and are memorable, even those licensed such as Ken (who by the way steals the show, with Michael Keaton doing an absolutely fantastic job in the role), and Pixar creating a gorgeous looking film.

   I grew up with Toy Story. It was the first film I remember seeing in theatres. My mom painted my room to look like Andy’s. I had all the toys, bed sheets, trashcan; everything was just like it was in the movie. I even wrote my name on the bottom of each toy’s foot. My best friend growing up, who the last time I even talked to was about a year ago, was into Toy Story as well. We created a bond with one another that will never die no matter how far out of touch we may be. When we were little one year, we dressed as Buzz and Woody for Halloween in fact (I was Buzz). It’s things like that I remember so fondly from my childhood. Now, in the summer of 2010, I am leaving the home I have lived in most of my life, and going to college, leaving everything behind me that I can’t take with me. Sound familiar? Well, I pretty much described Andy’s life in this movie. The thought of leaving my past behind me, but shown in such a thematic and emotional way, well, I’ll be honest, it made me cry, right there in the theatre. I was not alone, as both my mom and my girlfriend cried at this point as well.

   It may sound stupid to have such an emotional bond with pieces of plastic (that are fake computer generated beings, so they’re fakes of fakes if that makes any sense), but that’s the effect Pixar has on you. I got teary eyed during the start of Up, but darn it all if I didn’t cry during Toy Story 3. Curse you Pixar and your ability to make an 18 year old cry in front of his mom and girlfriend all because you know how to create amazing films that can translate with every generation and never lessen in quality due to the fact it has a number attached to it. In shorter terms, you OWE it to yourself to go see this movie. 2D, 3D, it doesn’t matter which, just go see it as soon as you possibly can. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go up in my attic and see if I can find Buzz, Woody, and everyone else, so long as they weren’t thrown out years ago (and I pray they weren’t). The attic is no place for a perfectly good toy…




Directed by:
Lee Unkrich
Written by:
Michael Arndt
Starring:
Tom Hanks
Tim Allen
Joan Cusack
Don Rickles
Ned Beatty
Studio:
Pixar Animation Studios
Distributor:
Walt Disney Pictures
Running Time:
102 Minutes
Rated G
Amazing!

(+) Plot very reminiscent of films such as The Great Escape
(+) Characters and story keep homages fresh
(+) Beautiful score and soundtrack add to experience
(+) Visuals are alive and vivid, per Pixar's usual standards
(+) Perfect ending to the franchise
(+) Perfect for any Disney/Pixar fan
(-) Some scenes may be unsuitable for younger viewers
(-) Bring tissues



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