FILM REVIEW: Toy Story 3

Posted by: Ian – Jun 18, 2010

Despite the near perfect record of Pixar Animation Studios, it was difficult not to have doubts about Toy Story 3. It is not just because it is the third part in a series, or that there was a staggering eleven year gap between parts 2 and 3. The main reason for doubts stem from the fact that Pixar was not originally keen to make this movie. As the story goes, when Pixar and Disney began having creative differences in 2004, it seemed the two companies were going to part ways. Fortunately for Disney, they own the rights to all the previous Pixar films and characters. They began work on a direct to DVD Toy Story sequel. However, when Disney and Pixar mended their relationship, Pixar agreed to make a full fledged Toy Story sequel on the condition that Disney scrap their cheap and dirty production. As difficult as it is to believe, the final product of all that drama is an absolutely outstanding follow up that recaptures all the heart and charm of the first two films in the series.

One of the principle reasons why the film works so well is it does not ignore the time that has passed since the second part. Most of the toys from the first two films have been sold or given away in the interim, but a small group, including Woody and Buzz Lightyear, remain. They have been banished to a toy box and they have not been played with for years. The film begins with a scene that is both hilarious and heartbreaking as the toys attempt to get their now teenage owner, Andy, to pay attention to them. They bring two cellphones into the toy box with them and use one to call the other. According to Woody’s plan, Andy will open the toy box to answer the phone, see the all but forgotten toys, and pull them out for a game. Poor Woody just cannot understand that a teenager will find a ringing cellphone far more appealing than an old cowboy doll. It is this sad truth that leads to the toys being donated to a daycare center when Andy packs up his room before going off to college.

That is not the end, though. Needless to say, Woody does not give up easily and he takes it upon himself to get everyone back to Andy before he leaves. If they cannot go with him, they can at least wait for him in the attic. Their journey back to Andy’s house has them surviving assaults from rampaging toddlers, outmaneuvering a corrupt teddy bear, and climbing through fiery mountains of garbage at the city dump. The Pixar team really outdid themselves with this script. It may be their funniest film yet, and though they may never top the opening five minutes of Up for tear-jerking emotion, parts of Toy Story 3 come close. It is interesting to notice how the stakes must be raised with each passing chapter to keep things from becoming stale. The danger in the first film of the series was in being replaced as the favorite toy. In the second, it was a fear of being stolen by a greedy toy collector. Now, for the third film, the toys are in danger of being broken and thrown away forever. It may seem a bit grandiose for a children’s movie about talking toys (Remember, broken and thrown away is the equivalent of death for a toy), but Pixar has always been good at tucking away more adult themes in their movies.

All the uncertainty about the circumstances of the film production aside, perhaps the biggest pleasant surprise is the improvement in the 3D imagery. Last summer’s Up was an incredible movie, but it was marred by the terrible 3D presentation. Objects popped out awkwardly, motion was blurred, colors were muted, and the otherwise beautiful animation suffered tremendously. They have had a year to improve, though, and they succeeded splendidly. The 3D is not overdone, it merely adds depth to the image as it is supposed to. There is almost no motion blur, and the colors are bright and vibrant. It is not necessary to see this film in 3D in order to enjoy it, but it is one of the rare cases where 3D does not detract from the experience. If you have the option to see a 3D showing and do not mind spending a couple of dollars more on the ticket, you will not be sorry.

Toy Story has always been Pixar’s baby. It was their first feature length movie, and, now on part 3, it is the only one for which they have made sequels. Presumably, this will be the last chapter, and if that holds true, the three films make one of the strongest trilogies in movie history. It probably does not need to be said, but if you enjoyed the first two films, do not hesitate to see Toy Story 3. It will likely turn out to be the best movie of the summer, and will definitely be among the best of the year.

By Gareth Mussen