Toy Story 3 is another great film that definitely would have been on my Best of 2010 list had I seen it in 2010. I missed this in theatres and it killed me. But I finally caught it on DVD and concluded a great series. I love all things Pixar and I think Toy Story is easily their only movie that made a viable series. I still want to see Cars 2 and Monsters Inc 2 because even a bad pixar film would be fantastic, seeing as it has been established that Pixar can do no wrong. Anyway, Toy Story 3 is a fitting entry and conclusion to a wonderful film series and it's tied with the first for my favourite. Its also darker than the first two films and explores serious issues like Andy growing up and heading off to college.
SOME SPOILERS
Toy Story 3 shows our favourite gang of toys years later, when Andy is now seventeen and ready to go off to college. He intends to put all the toys in the attic while taking Woody to college with him. However, the toys accidentally get put on the curb. They are subsequently rescued by Woody and decide to comingle themselves in the box of Andy's sister's toys that are being donated to a daycare centre (much to the chagrin of Woody). At the daycare, they meet new toys and Lotso Huggin' Bear (AKA Lotso). At first it seems like paradise, but it then turns sour as Lotso's true nature is revealed. By that time, Andy is leaving soon for college, and they have to make it back home. Then there's the question of what Andy will do with his toys. In the end, he gives them to the daughter of the daycare centre owner, who promises to take good care of them. This was the only part of the movie that kind of weirded me out. The ending was a tad strange, as if Andy was having a midlife crisis at age seventeen, but I can understand that it sucks letting go of your toys. That particular ending made the movie all the more emotionally resonant and made us hope that the toys would be happy for Bonnie (the girl who was given the toys).
END OF SPOILERS
The movie starts with less toys to suggest that toys like Bo Peep, Wheezy, and Etch had been given to new owners. However, we still keep Woody, Buzz, Hamm, Jessie, Bullseye, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, Rex, and Slink. We are also introduced to a ton of new characters, like Lotso, Big Baby, Mr. Pricklepants, and Barbie and Ken (voiced by Michael Keaton and Jodi Benson AKA Batman and The Little Mermaid, a combination I never thought I'd say). The new characters are funny, memorable, and at times sympathetic. For instance, Lotso isn't just a cartoon villain who was just born bad. He is the way he is because his owner lost him (along with Big Baby) and by the time they got back he had been replaced.
Out of all the new characters, I think my favourites were Barbie and Ken, mostly because they were funny and because I love Michael Keaton and I'm glad he's working on a good movie even if its only his voice. I was seriously worried for him after Tim Burton dumped him for Johnny Depp. Anyway, onto the voice acting. The voice acting is top-notch as always, although Slinky is sorely missing the voice talent of Jim Varney. I liked the voice acting of the new characters, especially Michael Keaton, Jodi Benson, and Ned Beatty as Lotso. Needless to say, the voice acting was wonderful as always.
The animation was wonderful, but I can't attest to the 3D triumphs (or failures) because I saw this on the comfort of my laptop screen. The visuals were standard Pixar quality and as Pixar's most recent film, give me hope for Cars 2 this summer. By that I mean that it gives me hope because Pixar is not slowing down or decreasing in quality and it won't any time soon. There was absolutely no doubt that Toy Story 3 was going to win Best Animated Feature but for me, it is now cemented in stone that the people at Pixar will walk home happy winners on February 27.
One more note before I wrap this up. I loved how the opening scene was a combination of Andy's stories that he played out with his toys like "death by monkeys" and having Hamm and Mr. Potato Head being the villains. All in all, Toy Story is a wonderful film, a fitting end to Pixar's great series. Essential viewing for all those who love Pixar and just essential viewing in general. However, I would suggest that you see the first two films prior, like I did, because there are a lot of subtle in-jokes from the first two films. Like the critics consensus says, deftly blending adventure, comedy, and emotion, Toy Story 3 is the rare second sequel that works.
