Toy Story 3 Movie Review

MOVIE REVIEW: TOY STORY 3

06/17/10

SYNOPSIS: The creators of the beloved “Toy Story” films re-open the toy box and bring moviegoers back to the delightful world of Woody, Buzz and our favorite gang of toy characters in TOY STORY 3. Woody and Buzz had accepted that their owner Andy would grow up someday, but what happens when that day arrives? In the third installment, Andy is preparing to depart for college, leaving his loyal toys troubled about their uncertain future. Lee Unkrich (co-director of “Toy Story 2” and “Finding Nemo”) directs this highly anticipated film, and Michael Arndt, the Academy Award®-winning screenwriter of “Little Miss Sunshine,” brings his unique talents and comedic sensibilities to the proceedings. TOY STORY 3 will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

REVIEW: As I have mentioned in reviews of the past, I am the mother of three (3) boys ranging in age from 17 to 8, thus I have not only seen all of the Toy Story installments, I’m a big fan. That said, if like me, you’ve seen the others, you must go see Toy Story 3. It is visually so much more exciting than the other two, you will feel like you’re visiting old family friends and it will bring you full circle with Andy and the whole gang.

We have seen Andy from a little boy so excitedly playing with his bestest pal, Woody (Tom Hanks) through imaginary adventures in the great wild west. Do you remember Andy’s birthday when he received the coolest toy ever in Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen)? “To infinity and beyond”!

In Toy Story 2, when Andy goes away to camp, an evil toy collector kidnaps Woody and the gang goes into rescue mode in an adventure that in the end brings new friends to the toy box, like Jessie (Joan Cusack) the Cowgirl and her trusty horse Bullseye.

Folks, if you can believe it, in this installment, our boy Andy is ready to leave the nest and go off to college. The toys have to find a new purpose and thus the adventure begins! Is Andy now too old for his friends? Will they end up in the attic, the trash or in the donation box?

This film will tug at your heart strings, especially if you are the mom of a son about to leave home while you still see him as a little boy playing with his toys (Dexter does still keep his Winnie the Pooh bear in his room). The opening scene is exhilarating as the toys are off to one of the great imaginary adventures that only a little boy can create. You will see canyons, spaceships, and high speed races. This has to be the only Toy Story where you get to see the gang in so many different scenarios such as Andy’s house, the daycare center, the wild west and most frightening, the junkyard! You will meet a few new characters along the way such as Barbie’s new metro-sexual (did I just use the word sexual in a kids movie review?) boyfriend, Ken (Michael Keaton), and Lotso, as in Lots-o-Hugs bear (Ned Beatty), the bear in charge at the day care center. My boys, Joshua and Ralphie both loved the movie, and that says a lot when you consider that there is a four year age difference. I have to say that I personally was moved to all sorts of emotions which I would not have expected in an animated film. I laughed, I was frightened and most importantly, I cried like a fool! You will see what I mean. Andy has grown up but you will see some real tenderness towards his lifelong buddies.

If you have not seen the first two Toy Story movies, rent them then go see Toy Story 3 because Pixar has really outdone themselves with this beautiful film. If you are a faithful Toy Story fan due to your kids or just because you love it, go see it for the story itself because Michael Arndt and John Lasseter have truly written a screenplay that will be just as fulfilling for adults as the animation is for the kids. Just a little piece of advice, between you and me, bring tissues and beware of fluffy bears….