In Toy Story 3, Andy is finally preparing to go off to college. All grown up, he no longer plays with his toys (Woody, Buzz, and the gang), so he puts them in a plastic bag to move them up to the attic. Unfortunately, through series of events, the bag is moved with the trash and donated to Sunnyside Daycare center. Feeling rejected by Andy, Buzz and the gang decides to stay despite the rough, prison-like treatment, overseen by the nefarious Lots-o’-Huggin Bear, a Ken doll, and a giant baby doll. Woody, knowing that Andy actually still wants them, tries to find a way to get back to Andy.
You’ll note that the plot sounds pretty straightforward (although it’s more complex). In one sense, it sounds a lot like the first two Toy Story stories—boy has toy, loses toy, and finds toy again (or toy finds him). Well, if you ever happened to have played with toys before, this happens quite frequently in real life. Toy Story films embody the relationships we develop with our toys in our childhood and then as adults (Toy Story 2 tackled this idea)…while asking: what if the toys had feelings? Sometimes human relationships can be like our relationship with toys. We meet people, develop emotional attachments, and sometimes we feel we’ve outgrown them—the difference is, of course, that toys don’t grow up along with us. Toy Story films keep this truism intact, where adoration and rejection play major parts just like human relationships. I love how Pixar, at their core, deals with mature themes. First film dealt with jealousy, the second film dealt with mortality, and now, this third film deals with the possibility of “moving on.”
First off, let me say that I really loved this film. I’ve enjoyed every Pixar film and this one is no exception. Toy Story 2 is still one of my favorites of their work, and this film is right up there. The progression of the journey of these toys is logical, mature, yet still very clever and fun. Reviewing Toy Story 3 is in one sense very easy to do, or complex if I were to elaborate on it. If you enjoyed Toy Story 1 and 2, then you should definitely watch it. If you didn’t like the previous films, then watch How To Train Your Dragon instead. I personally don’t want to give away anything for those who want to fully appreciate it, because I enjoyed the surprises.
Compared to the first two films, this one had more slapstick, goofiness, and is not as emotionally moody as the second film (an aspect I loved about that film). Tom Hanks and Tim Allen’s voice work as the toys, Woody and Buzz Lightyear, are as good as ever. There are many kids in this film and their expressions and characteristics are spot on and intricate. I watched the stereoscopic Disney Digital 3D version of the film. As I was getting into the story, I didn't notice the 3-D aspect that much. It's more story-based and not like How To Train Your Dragon or Avatar in trying to showcase the use of the technology.
It feels like there’s slightly more jokes than emotional subtleties this time around, but as the story progresses, much of the complex emotional stuff come back. As a whole, the film comes together quite marvelously. If I had any trepidations about this film, it was all gone by the end. Admittedly, the new characters, the toys that the main characters meet at the daycare center, aren’t as classy-looking (modern toys in general have gotten more exaggerated and cartoony than toys of old) as the old toys—but, you can blame pop culture on that one. One may find it interesting that there are subtle references to Return of the Jedi in this third film like how the second film made references to Empire Strikes Back.
Overall, Pixar has made another classic. I really can’t complain when Pixar continues to move forward in every aspect, story-wise, character-wise, and technologically. While not as darkly satisfying as the second film, this film has plenty of dark moments and is still quite satisfying. Of all the trilogies I’ve seen so far, few trilogies have ever felt this perfectly balanced in quality like the Toy Story trilogy. These guys at Pixar are very clever and I love how their films always have a big heart at the core of each film. They make films that everyone can enjoy. Pixar films remind me of old-school Disney cartoons—the love of detail over the jokes. It’s not so much about the joke than the beauty and the execution of it. Humor only goes so far, and jokes will always get old. These guys are continuously perfecting their craft. They remind us why animation matters, and that it should be taken seriously. I also loved their highly conceptual animated short before the beginning of the film. I give Toy Story 3 **** out of **** stars.
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