Toy Story 3 (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
I still hurt. That's how I feel while typing this review for 'Toy Story 3' (directed by Lee Unkrich). I cried throughout the last 15 min. of this film. My eyes hurt, my head hurts. Thanks a lot, TS3. Haha. When we last saw Andy (John Morris), he was still a young kid. Now, at age 17, he's packing up for college. And it's time for him to decide what to do with his cherished childhood playmates: Woody, Buzz, Jessie the Cowgirl, Mr. & Mrs. Potato head, Rex the dinosaur, & Hamm the piggybank (Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Estelle Harris, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenburger). Andy decides to relocate his toy-box buddies to the attic, save for his favorite pal, Woody - who's coming with him to college. But when Andy's mom mixes up bags (one for the attic, one for the garbage truck), Woody has to save the other toys; and for purpose of plot, they wind-up accidentally donated to a nearby day care center.
At first, the center appears great to them (sans Woody) - a place where they & hundreds of other toys get to be played with by a plethora of eager children. Our group of toys are met by some day care regulars (Ken, of Ken & Barbie, an octopus, etc.), including their leader, a strawberry-scented pink teddy bear named Lotso (Ned Beatty). But the center isn't all it's cracked up to be; as our gang are sent to the room where the youngest tots play - and beat toys to a pulp (throw 'em, bash 'em, tear off limbs, paint on them etc.). Soon, all Buzz & co. want is to re-join Woody on the outside of the center. But that proves to be difficult as Lotso & his experienced group of followers (including a toy monkey who guards the security cameras) refuses to let them escape. Thankfully, after learning of their dire predicament, Woody organizes a 'jailbreak'. But can he free them? IF he does, & IF they get home, what fate will Andy give them?
Having only seen TS1 & TS2 for the 1st time a few yrs. ago, my cynic heart found them to be well-made, entertaining, but not incredible. But I can say right now that TS3's excellence makes me appreciate the previous films more so. I enjoyed the animation & humor in the 1st hour of this film, but WOW does it kick into another gear during & after the day care break-out sequence. The last act is sure to resonate with viewers of all ages; it's just so damned heartfelt. Tom Hanks' amiable voice makes us immediately re-identify with Woody. Ned Beatty is stellar as villain, Lotso the Bear; though, he's not scary enough to frighten the kiddies. Jodi Benson (Ariel, in The Little Mermaid) speaks & sounds just like we imagine Barbie would. And Michael Keaton brings the funny as Ken.
Probably the most fascinating aspect of this film is that I was able to feel emotion from & for these cartoon characters. Pixar characters have a way of reflecting the human experience more than any other animated medium. On the technical front, Randy Newman's music is as light & magical as his usual standard. The editing of the animated action sequences is superb (i.e., the heart-racing incinerator scene). The break-out of the day care center is engrossing; & better handled than most live-action films can hope to produce. The animation, itself, is as crisp, colorful, & intricately-detailed as every other Pixar creation.
And the screenplay is just wonderful. i.e., Ken & Barbie's priceless interactions. New toys introduced throughout the plot offer their own antics/quirks for us to chuckle at. And Buzz Lightyear's Spanish personality (late in the film) is hysterical. Themes of loyalty, longing, & the passing on of generations (one child owner of toys to another) are deftly handled. Furthermore, unlike most movies that come out, the structure of this film is nearly perfect. Nothing feels out of place or perfunctory to the main story. The pacing is excellent. There's a distinct beginning, middle, & end; and what an end it is. I can honestly say that while I really liked Up, & while I loved Wall-E, both of those films had plot structures that veer off-course about 3/4's of the way through that irked me. No such occurrence here. For 100 minutes, the script gives us set-up, conflict, laughs, action, danger, & a deep-felt, nostalgic denouement; all while progressing the plot forward.
Overall, I fell for TS3, not just because it's a sequel made with care & integrity for its familiar characters, but because it brought me back (through mere animated pixels) to my childhood when I used to play for hours on end with my own toys. They were a part of my everyday life. I outgrew them. Adolescence ended. I'm 30 yrs. old now. And I miss the innocence of simply playing with said toys. I feel like finding some of my old blocks & stuffed dogs and giving them a great big hug. TS3 is as much about the importance of friendship & a sense of belonging (the loyal toys to their loving owner), as it is about the fleeting nature of life. 'Moving on' - literally & figuratively. I admired the beautiful animation, I laughed, I cried, I was moved. Great entertainment. Oh, & I still hurt.
At first, the center appears great to them (sans Woody) - a place where they & hundreds of other toys get to be played with by a plethora of eager children. Our group of toys are met by some day care regulars (Ken, of Ken & Barbie, an octopus, etc.), including their leader, a strawberry-scented pink teddy bear named Lotso (Ned Beatty). But the center isn't all it's cracked up to be; as our gang are sent to the room where the youngest tots play - and beat toys to a pulp (throw 'em, bash 'em, tear off limbs, paint on them etc.). Soon, all Buzz & co. want is to re-join Woody on the outside of the center. But that proves to be difficult as Lotso & his experienced group of followers (including a toy monkey who guards the security cameras) refuses to let them escape. Thankfully, after learning of their dire predicament, Woody organizes a 'jailbreak'. But can he free them? IF he does, & IF they get home, what fate will Andy give them?
Having only seen TS1 & TS2 for the 1st time a few yrs. ago, my cynic heart found them to be well-made, entertaining, but not incredible. But I can say right now that TS3's excellence makes me appreciate the previous films more so. I enjoyed the animation & humor in the 1st hour of this film, but WOW does it kick into another gear during & after the day care break-out sequence. The last act is sure to resonate with viewers of all ages; it's just so damned heartfelt. Tom Hanks' amiable voice makes us immediately re-identify with Woody. Ned Beatty is stellar as villain, Lotso the Bear; though, he's not scary enough to frighten the kiddies. Jodi Benson (Ariel, in The Little Mermaid) speaks & sounds just like we imagine Barbie would. And Michael Keaton brings the funny as Ken.
Probably the most fascinating aspect of this film is that I was able to feel emotion from & for these cartoon characters. Pixar characters have a way of reflecting the human experience more than any other animated medium. On the technical front, Randy Newman's music is as light & magical as his usual standard. The editing of the animated action sequences is superb (i.e., the heart-racing incinerator scene). The break-out of the day care center is engrossing; & better handled than most live-action films can hope to produce. The animation, itself, is as crisp, colorful, & intricately-detailed as every other Pixar creation.
And the screenplay is just wonderful. i.e., Ken & Barbie's priceless interactions. New toys introduced throughout the plot offer their own antics/quirks for us to chuckle at. And Buzz Lightyear's Spanish personality (late in the film) is hysterical. Themes of loyalty, longing, & the passing on of generations (one child owner of toys to another) are deftly handled. Furthermore, unlike most movies that come out, the structure of this film is nearly perfect. Nothing feels out of place or perfunctory to the main story. The pacing is excellent. There's a distinct beginning, middle, & end; and what an end it is. I can honestly say that while I really liked Up, & while I loved Wall-E, both of those films had plot structures that veer off-course about 3/4's of the way through that irked me. No such occurrence here. For 100 minutes, the script gives us set-up, conflict, laughs, action, danger, & a deep-felt, nostalgic denouement; all while progressing the plot forward.
Overall, I fell for TS3, not just because it's a sequel made with care & integrity for its familiar characters, but because it brought me back (through mere animated pixels) to my childhood when I used to play for hours on end with my own toys. They were a part of my everyday life. I outgrew them. Adolescence ended. I'm 30 yrs. old now. And I miss the innocence of simply playing with said toys. I feel like finding some of my old blocks & stuffed dogs and giving them a great big hug. TS3 is as much about the importance of friendship & a sense of belonging (the loyal toys to their loving owner), as it is about the fleeting nature of life. 'Moving on' - literally & figuratively. I admired the beautiful animation, I laughed, I cried, I was moved. Great entertainment. Oh, & I still hurt.