"Toy Story 3" Movie Review

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The original "Toy Story" changed the art of filmmaking. Released in 1995, the film became the first full-length animated feature created using CG technology. Fifteen years later, the franchise grows up, the characters feel worn-out, but the magic is still intact.

Even "Toy Story 2" made motion picture history in 1999 when it became the first film ever to be entirely created, mastered, and exhibited digitally. I don't think "Toy Story 3" will make cinematic history anytime soon but it's a fitting conclusion to the beloved series.

From director Lee Unkrich to producer-writer John Lasseter, virtually the same creative team that worked on the first two "Toy Story" films returns for the third installment. This time, the filmmakers are playing with darker themes such as aging and abandonment.

Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), and the rest of the toy-box gang have been neglected by their owner Andy (John Morris) who's departing for college. He plans to bring Woody with him to college while the rest of the toys will be kept in the attic.

But happenstance prevents the toys from being separated. Instead, they find themselves in daycare being played by rough toddlers who don't know how to take care of Woody and company.

Unkrich, Lasseter, and Andrew Stanton co-wrote the script with Michael Arndt. I suspect Pixar brought in Arndt to add family pathos he showed in his Academy Award-winning script for "Little Miss Sunshine."




Indeed, this new "Toy Story" is heavy on the inevitable sadness but the filmmakers balanced it with a lot of humor. Bringing in the funny is Ken (Michael Keaton) of the Ken and Barbie (Jodi Benson) tandem. He's a metrosexual who always dresses up for the occasion and even calls Barbie's dream house his own.

Sunnyside Daycare is a mysterious place where some toys call it paradise while some refers to it as prison. Running the show is Lots-O'-Huggin' Bear aka Lotso (Ned Beatty), a strawberry-scented teddy bear with plans of his own. His henchman is Big Baby, a lifelike baby doll who towers over the rest of the toys.

The voice of optimism belongs to Woody. He wants to leave the daycare because he knows Andy is waiting for them. What follows next is a prison escape routine taken from the pages of 1963's "The Great Escape."

I've always been a fan of Pixar Animation. Their films are densely well-rounded with equal-parts humor and drama. In "Toy Story 3," there is a lot of crying and laughing, but like the toys' owner, we've outgrown these characters.

In an attempt to find a new angle for Buzz, the filmmakers reduced the character into a Spanish lover caricature that young kids may find funny, but some adults may frown upon. The usage of 3D technology is unnecessary and did not help to move the plot forward. You don't have to watch "Toy Story 3" in 3D.

If the "Toy Story" franchise was lauded for its beautiful imagery, then the third film must be praised for its storytelling. Pixar, much like the "Toy Story" series, is growing up and has been telling mature stories masquerading as cartoons.




It took a while for me to get used to the characters again but once I did, I even shed a tear or two near the end. The beauty of the "Toy Story" films is using banality as a plot point. The action-packed conclusion is fittingly set in a dumpsite where old toys go to die. So go ahead and play with "Toy Story 3" even if it means for the very last time.

RATING: "TOY STORY 3" 3 ½ KISSES

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[heroes2311]

Wow filipino ka?

[mdelar]

@heroes2311 Yes :)

[superskh]

I love your accent. Hope you don't mind me asking, are you Filipino?

Anyway, loved this movie. Good review!

[mdelar]

@superskh Thank you, and yes I'm Filipino :) Have a great weekend!

[MrMrMrprofessor]

Thanks mdelar. I saw the movie today and I adored it. It's definitely the darkest of the trio. What was your favorite part of the movie?

[mdelar]

@MrMrMrprofessor The passing of the baton, so to speak. When Andy hands the toys to Bonnie...I just balled my eyes out :) Thanks, and you can call me Manny :)

[OhMyGleeful]

I'm a guy, and after this movie finished I cried so much because It reminded me off my childhood and all the best times ;(

[HumanGuitarTV]

It would've been funny if you said "I'm Manny the Toy Guy".

[09tranm]

@ScrubmanLowell Me too. I'm 19 and turning 20 soon. I disagree with it because he gave it 3.5 kisses when he gave Wall-E and Up 4. Now Wall-E and Up are great movies no doubt but I liked Toy Story 3 better.

[HumanGuitarTV1]

@doctorseaweed I didn't find it sad, I found it heartwarming.

[ScrubmanLowell]

I'm 15 yrs. old, and I haven't outgrown Buzz and Woody yet, and I NEVER will! I'm sorry, but I disagree with this review!

[thefranticle]

i almost cried at the end

[09tranm]

@doctorseaweed No you're not. The ending wasn't sad it was merely bittersweet. But I don't know why he only gave it 3.5 I mean it's a full on 4. He gave Wall-E and up a 4 and I liked this one better than wall-e and up(btw I really liked wall-e and up especially up).

[doctorseaweed]

Was I the only person who did not find the ending sad at all?

[hackensac]

I thought that the 3D worked in this film. It helped pull me into the movie more since Pixar put so much effort into their characters and story that you had a feeling that you were one of those characters. It made the movie darker, but then again the movie was already dark and when you watch those scene like the (Spoilers!) climactic scene, the 3D added an emotional sense rather than being the stereotypypical 3D. This whole trilogy really did work in 3D.