Toy Story 3

Toy Story 3 (2010) is a film that most of us probably weren't expecting when we first saw the original, Toy Story, in 1995. I was five-years old- and probably more like Sid than Andy- but the story was adorable, fun and original. Imagine- talking, cinematic toys that didn't want to kill you! In this finale to the series, Andy (John Morris) is 17-years-old and about to embark on the next stage of his life: College. His toys are packed away in the toy-box as they have been for years now, scheming to get played with, but ending up lonely. Andy's mom (Laurie Metcalf) tells him that because he's leaving for school in a week, he needs to pack up his room for College, Attic, or Trash. The toys are concerned that they'll be at the dump in the morning, but Woody (Tom Hanks) assures them that they mean too much to Andy for that. The next day, Andy opens a trash bag and piles them all in- all except Woody, who's miraculously placed in a College box. But the toys aren't on their way to the garbage as they expect- he's carrying them to the attic...  but his mother misunderstands due to his predictably bad teenage packing, and puts them on the lawn. Woody follows in fear for their lives, but the toys don't accept being treated as trash, and break free, heading into the garage, where a box of toys for the Sunnyside Daycare waits to be donated. They get inside, refusing to believe that Andy wanted to keep them, and before Woody can convince them, they're packed away. But it's not what they expected. And before they know what they've gotten themselves into, a huggable bear named Lotso (Ned Beaty) has them all under seize in the toddlers room, and has reprogrammed a Zorg-Happy Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) to do his bidding in arms.

 

Toy Story 3 was directed by Lee Unkrich, who also co-directed Toy Story 2, Monsters' Inc, and Finding Nemo.  He's also given a credit for writing this story, as is Jogn Lasseter and Andrew Stanton. The screenplay credit actually goes to a fourth man, however, Michael Arndt. Evidently, this movie was a long imagined plan by Disney that was thought may never get made. Back in 2004, Disney claimed ownership over all the original characters, but Pixar held the first right to refuse any sequels that might get made- and they did. The two companies fought for some time over whether or not another would be made, and when the split drew near, Tim Allen said he was on board even if Pixr jumped ship, and they were off with plans for Toy Story 3. This version, however, is not the version we saw in theatres, for that would come many years later. The story involved a Buzz Lightyear malfunctioning, and being sent back to his maker in Tawain where there was an international recall on the product. But, when Pixar was finally bought out by Disney, their chief Animators were put in charge over this project... and scrapped it. But, at long last, they did not scrap the idea of a third movie, and they came up with an idea for it in one weekend, and drew up a treatment, set to be released in 2010. It's every bit as big, delightful, and cute as the very first Toy Story.

 The film is one of the features nominated for Best Film of the Year by the Acamdemy Awards. As much as I did enjoy this movie for what it is, there is no way on this Earth that Toy Story 3 was the best film that 2010 had to offer- I'm sorry, but that has to be accurate, or I'm switching jobs. The film is amazing- for what it IS... but in comparison to the epicness of Christopher Nolan's Inception, it doesn't even stand on two feet. Toy Story 3 was written in a weekend... Inception was written in ten years. I didn't complain when Up caught the Academy's attention for the same award last year, because that film was completely original, showed remarkable films for its genre, and despite being geared toward a child audience, had incredible visual effects, and the humor was somehow spot on. It was also incredibly sad. While Toy Story 3 can be a tearjerker for nostalgia purposes, it doesn't even compare fairly to Up as far as I'm concerned, let alone being considered for Best Film of the Year. That's a bad year. It is also up for Best ANIMATED Film, however, which in my opinion, it ought to win.

That being said, I did enjoy Toy Story 3. I thought it was a brilliant, yet fairly simple concept to introduce. Andy and I are about the same age, therefore it makes sense that while I'm in college, the writers may interpret that he would be, as well. Frankly, any other storyline in which Andy was still a child would seem a little flat, just logically speaking. It's daring to take him out of the picture, and it creats an entirely different message to children, and adults- and it definitely worked. The CGI is also wonderful- but, come on Disney and Pixar? I expect nothing less from multi-billionaires. If you've got it, flaunt it. The film isn't as original as the first, but no sequal ever is, and especially considering that it's the THIRD surviving film in a series when most second stories fall flat, that's a credit all by itself. I love that the original voice actors were on board to do this picture, even though it's been years, and it really does add to the nostalgia of the piece, the artwork, and the familiarity. This is definitely a "to own" film, especially if you already have the first two... even if it's on VHS.

 

In general, I'd reccomend this film to almost anyone. 99% of critics have given it a positive rating. No, I don't think it ought to win film of the year, but I really don't think that was the intention of it. It's a pleasure to watch, it's something I'd like to show to my kids if they ever exist, and it's nice to relive a piece of your past, especially since the film even accknowleges to you that it is the past. This film could have tanked, and I'm very glad that it didn't. It's a wonderful, long-awaited end to a great original series.