By all Hollywood measures, “Toy Story 3″ should be a desperate attempt to wring money out of an exhausted franchise.
The last “Story” is a decade old, and there weren’t any loose ends that needed tying up.
But this is Pixar, the film studio that works on a higher level than its peers.
So “Toy Story 3″ is another cinematic wonder, a rollicking ride with both humor and depth. It’s exactly what Summer 2010 needs – a blockbuster worthy of its own hype.
Can we put Pixar in charge of every sequel?
“Toy Story 3″ finds Andy, the little boy who owns all the toys from the first two films, preparing to go to college. So he won’t need Buzz Lightyear or the other toys who kept him company as a child.
That means the toys are headed to the attic for a permanent vacation.
A mixup sends Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Woody (Tom Hanks) and the gang to a local day care center instead. That sounds like paradise, an endless supply of children with which to play.
But they didn’t take into account Lotso (Ned Beatty), the plush Teddy Bear toy who lords over the center.
The film’s first half is merely good, which comes as a mild surprise. Once more the toys are in trouble, and they have to navigate the human world in order to save their collective hides.
Been there, marveled at that.
“Toy Story 3″ isn’t as vacuum-packed fresh as the original. How could it be?
And yes, Pixar sets itself up for such outsized expectations.
Then, the great attempted escape from the day care center begins, and the film finds its sense of purpose.
Consider a scene late in the movie when the toys are facing a pretty tough jam. They reach out to each other and hold hands, ready to face the challenge together like the loyal friends they are.
It’s a touching moment, and a jarring one, too. Are we really getting a lump in our throats over the fate of used toys?
More importantly, why can’t more movies evoke this same sense of attachment?
The vocal performances again are top notch, with great new cast additions to spike the punch. Buzz gets a hilarious new personality, and Beatty shows he should be a fixture in animated films with his warped take on Lotso.
Michael Keaton steals a few scenes, no small feat, as the fey and affected Ken doll.
“Toy Story 3″ ends on a maudlin note, but the emotions are thoroughly earned. After 90 or so minutes of breathtaking entertainment, we’ll let the franchise end any way it pleases.
NOTE: WWTW saw “Toy Story 3″ in 3-D, but the added dimension added nothing to the presentation.There’s no reason to pay extra money to see the film in 3-D.
(Photo: The “Toy Story” gang returns with all-new adventures.Pixar/Disney)
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the review…looking forward to seeing it. While I have enjoyed some movies in 3D lately, many have not been worth it. I am glad to see that it is not worth the extra $10 bucks it would cost to take the family to it, we’ll see it in good ol’ 2D instead.
Mid way through the film I realized that the 3-D had added nothing to the movie. Zero.
Pixar uses the 3D more for depth than effect. I recall an article for “Up” where they implied that the use of 3D was something that Disney wanted, rather than an artistic choice, so they used it in a way that wouldn’t be lost when the film made the transition to home cinema (rather than the “look at everything coming at you approach”).
I watched the film at the midnight screening at an IMAX 3-D (loved the film), but would definitely see the 2D version if I go again.
Took the family to see it last night and agree that while a very good movie, it wasn’t quite at the same level as the previous two and the 3D didn’t add much.
The voice work was great. For people complaining about Hanks’ recent remarks, I only saw Woody on that big screen – the actor disappeared behind the character.
My only complaint:
The video game sequences that were obviously written to provide content for the Toy Story 3 video game.
So outside of “Avatar” is 3D a complete bust at this point?
Toy Story 3 was an AMAZING movie with real heart that conjured up nostalgia for both fans of the previous movies, as well as for those who had no previous connection to the Toy Story characters. The jokes throughout the movie were spot-on 95% of the time, and although I think that maybe the movie should have earned a PG label, it in no way detracts from the greatness of this film.
GO SEE IT FOR YOURSELF, PEOPLE!!! There’s a clever use of a tortilla. There’s a side of Buzz you haven’t seen before. Ken tries on clothes. Let’s just say that you won’t be disappointed.
Not a bust, JFNW, but definitely not a needed aspect of every FN Summer film, either. Cameron again is too far ahead of the curve – as his own film indicated: the storytelling and presentation of other 3D features just are not up to par, yet. Nice call on this, WWTW: other widely-read critics just are drinking the Kool-aid.
TS3 is that very rare second sequel that works. Take a bow, Pixar.
D.