Released more than a decade after the mega-successful “Toy Story 2,” the third installment is quite possibly not only just as good as the previous two films, but maybe even marginally better. Woody, Buzz, and the gang are back in full force, and we’re introduced to an almost-adult Andy and a delightful lineup of new toy characters that have captured our fancy at one point or another.
Juxtaposed against these childhood-provoking characters are some very adult, real world themes of growing up, putting your past behind you, and moving onto the next chapter in your life. Also prevalent are issues surrounding bullying, self-sacrifice, teamwork, and selflessness.
Buzz, Woody, Jessie, Rex, the Potato Heads, and the rest of the gang are mistakenly donated to a daycare center when Andy (now a teenager on the verge of adulthood) leaves for college. Here, they meet new “friends”—Lotso-Huggin’ Bear, fashionista Ken (voiced by Michael Keaton), Chatter Telephone, Mr. Pricklepants, and many more. Will they all play nice? Will the toys reunite with Andy? And most importantly, will “Toy Story 3” leave behind a legacy similar to its predecessors?
Without giving too much away, I applaud writer Michael Arndt (“Little Miss Sunshine”), producers Darla Anderson and John Lasseter, and director Lee Unkrich for triumphantly overcoming the impossible task of continuing perhaps the most famed animated series in history.
Not only did they maintain the integrity of the characters that we have grown to love, but they added dimensionality and a layer of vulnerability that serve to endear us to them even more deeply. We’re made to feel the sense of abandonment the toys feel, when they think their beloved Andy threw them out.
Parents in the audience surely could relate to Andy’s mother’s tears when she realizes her baby boy has grown up and is leaving her nest. Don’t be alarmed and ashamed if you feel tears threatening to roll down your cheeks; this response only serves as a testament to the strength of the story and the character development.
Who would have thought that animated toys could pull on our heart strings so much!? For 103 minutes, enjoy being a child again, as the team at Pixar transport you back to your childhood. Now please excuse me, Barbie is waiting….
[etRating value=“ 5”]
Juxtaposed against these childhood-provoking characters are some very adult, real world themes of growing up, putting your past behind you, and moving onto the next chapter in your life. Also prevalent are issues surrounding bullying, self-sacrifice, teamwork, and selflessness.
Buzz, Woody, Jessie, Rex, the Potato Heads, and the rest of the gang are mistakenly donated to a daycare center when Andy (now a teenager on the verge of adulthood) leaves for college. Here, they meet new “friends”—Lotso-Huggin’ Bear, fashionista Ken (voiced by Michael Keaton), Chatter Telephone, Mr. Pricklepants, and many more. Will they all play nice? Will the toys reunite with Andy? And most importantly, will “Toy Story 3” leave behind a legacy similar to its predecessors?
Without giving too much away, I applaud writer Michael Arndt (“Little Miss Sunshine”), producers Darla Anderson and John Lasseter, and director Lee Unkrich for triumphantly overcoming the impossible task of continuing perhaps the most famed animated series in history.
Not only did they maintain the integrity of the characters that we have grown to love, but they added dimensionality and a layer of vulnerability that serve to endear us to them even more deeply. We’re made to feel the sense of abandonment the toys feel, when they think their beloved Andy threw them out.
Parents in the audience surely could relate to Andy’s mother’s tears when she realizes her baby boy has grown up and is leaving her nest. Don’t be alarmed and ashamed if you feel tears threatening to roll down your cheeks; this response only serves as a testament to the strength of the story and the character development.
Who would have thought that animated toys could pull on our heart strings so much!? For 103 minutes, enjoy being a child again, as the team at Pixar transport you back to your childhood. Now please excuse me, Barbie is waiting….
[etRating value=“ 5”]
