We all knew it had to end eventually. It's been eleven years since Toy Story 2 waltzed into theatres and managed to captivate me again as a small child on a Thanksgiving weekend wishing that the sequel would be as good as the first. Now, 20 years old, I could only hope that this final installation in the series could strike me as it did so many times before.
Toy Story 3 centers on the plight of the toys this time, leaving Andy out of the focus past the initial twenty minutes. Given the choice between the attic, trash or donation Andy says goodbye to Buzz, Rex, Slinky, Jesse, Bullseye, and Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head and bags them up for the attic, Woody manages to land in the box of college items. The bag manages to find its way to the garbage truck instead and only by Buzz's quick thinking they manage to escape back to the house. Feeling left out they decide that Sunnyside Daycare is the only way to go. Andy will never play with them again and maybe this way they will feel appreciated.
Worry not as Toy Story 3 is the final conclusion that we were all waiting for. Trilogies rarely end as well—with the exception of the Lord of the Rings series). Pixar has yet to lead moviegoers astray and judging the quality of the films put out recently Ratatouille, WALL-E, UP, they never will. The film gets more harrowing as it continues and one wonders whether or not the crew will make it out of this adventure alive. Those familiar with a particular heart-breaking scene in UP will recognize the same pang of sadness and fear that Pixar isn't afraid to steer toward.
Tom Hanks and Tim Allen nails their respective roles as Woody and Buzz. Woody, always the righteous leader of the group does them right in the end, and Buzz keeps it light when he finds himself in Spanish mode.
Newcomer to the series, Michael Keaton, steals the show as Ken doll (I never thought that one day Batman would manage to capture the essence of a Mattel plaything). As for the 3-D it looked very nice during the short film Night and Day, but its effect was negligible during Toy Story 3.
Newcomer to the series, Michael Keaton, steals the show as Ken doll (I never thought that one day Batman would manage to capture the essence of a Mattel plaything). As for the 3-D it looked very nice during the short film Night and Day, but its effect was negligible during Toy Story 3.
Aging along with this trilogy has provided an unique look at Andy and growing up. With time childish things have to be put away, but the responsibility of what to do with those playthings is what makes you an adult. Coming of age films have come and gone, but none have so successfully made letting go of others and growing up look so beautiful.
***1/2 out of ****
***1/2 out of ****