This is probably the hardest movie for me to review because of the first two films being so near and dear to my heart. It was five years between one and two and ten years from #2 to now, so the wait has been long and, at times, impatient. I have traveled with the Pixar team from kid’s rooms closets to the Great Barrier Reef to the deepest reaches of space with their other unforgettable characters, but all the time this voice in the back of my mind, “Whatever happened to Buzz, Woody, and the rest of Andy’s toys?”
The wait is over. Now we find out. And the answer is bittersweet.
Before I get personal and emotional all over again, as this review is fresh from the theater, let me preface everything by saying the following: This is an amazing movie, arguably the best Pixar film ever (quite a high standard to top). This is an even more amazing movie in IMAX 3-D, which is how I saw it, although I don’t believe it is mandatory to see it that way. Regular screen 2-D is just fine. And lastly, if you do love the Toy Story gang and have either grown up with them or grown close to them, take tissues. Lots of tissues. A box.
Andy is off to college. His mom is having the same problem letting him go as Andy is letting go of his childhood and the elements thereof, his toys. He does not play with them anymore, but he still loves them (the ones that are left…like I said, tissues) and their final adventure as “Andy’s toys” begins as he tries to figure out what stays, what goes and if it goes, where it goes. Needless to say, the whole idea that “no toy is safe” plays throughout the entire film.
But not everything is all gloom and doom. This film runs the gamut of emotions: joy when the toys find a new home at Sunnyside Daycare, devastation when the truth is revealed about said new home, heartbreak when one of the main toys becomes a victim of his own programming, excitement when the main plan comes together, and laugh-out-loud hilarity during Ken’s (of Barbie and Ken) fashion show. Like the first two films, there are pop culture references, humorous tidbits galore, and not a dull moment in the 90 minute+ running time. For years (ever since 2001 when the Academy Awards introduced a Best Animated Picture category) I have argued there should be a Best Animated Character award as well, like an acting award for the characters. In my opinion, this year’s winner should be Mr. Potato Head. See the movie, you’ll understand why. I don’t want to reveal any more than that.
So what is my opinion of this film? This is probably the best, most sentimental, most heartbreaking entry in the trilogy, a trilogy that will live in infamy alongside other great trilogies like the original [amazon_link id=”B000PMLFRA” target=”_blank” ]Star Wars[/amazon_link] films, the [amazon_link id=”B000X9FLKM” target=”_blank” ]The Lord of the Rings[/amazon_link] and the [amazon_link id=”B00198X0UO” target=”_blank” ]Back to the Future[/amazon_link] trio. This, like the toys they inspired and sit proudly on my toy shelf, will become part of my permanent collection for years to come and will eventually be handed down to my kids, the way all good pieces of childhood should. I loved, loved, loved, loved this movie and will probably cry every time I watch it.
Tissues. Lots and lots of tissues. A box.
Toy Story 3 **** (out of 4) Starring the voice talents of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Estelle Harris, John Ratzenberger, Wallace Shawn, Ned Beatty, Laurie Met calf, Woopie Goldberg, Michael Keaton and Jodi Benton. Rated G. Why are you still sitting here reading? Go see it. Now!
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