Toy Story 3: Movie Review

Toy Story 3 is the last installment in the Toy Story franchise brought to you by Disney Pixar.  The first Toy Story film that hit theatres 15 years ago in 1995 took the world by storm; as it was the first full-length computer generated animated feature film; and ever since then the world of animation has never been the same. Toy Story 3 stays with the same excellent animation quality that Pixar has been providing us for the past 15 years and it kicks ass. This is the most engaging Pixar film since Monsters Inc.  I constantly find myself sceptical of Pixar films and honestly don't like many of them. Regardless, this film blew me away and kept me engaged from start to finish.

Toy Story 3 picks up many years after Toy Story 2 ends; Andy is now 17 and just about to head off to college. Andy has to make the decision of what to do with all of his old toys; which includes Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang.  There is a mix-up as he puts them in a bag to take up to the attic and the toys end up headed for the trash. After a quick maneuvering scheme the toys end up being donated to a daycare. Without giving too much of the plot away the toys face many adversities as they realize that the daycare is really not for them; however their escape is thwarted by other toys that aren't as cute and friendly as they appear.

Toy Story 3 is hilarious from beginning to end; but also deals with the subject of loss, much like Up! only without death. The gang, Woody, Buzz, Slinky, The Potato Heads, etc... are joined by Barbie, Ken, and a slew of rejected toys to create a laugh-out-loud tour de force of over 100 minutes.  Michael Keaton voices Ken and is hysterical from start to finish. The other voice actors are amazing as well with Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Joan Cusack, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, and Estelle Harris coming alongside newbies Michael Keaton, Jodi Benson, and Ned Beatty to provide the masterpiece that is Toy Story 3.

This is director Lee Unkrich's first time solo directing, although he has been a co-director behind many other Pixar films including Toy Story 2, Monsters Inc. and Finding Nemo. However, behind a great director, behind great voice-talents, behind great animation there needs to be a great idea. That idea and it's execution can be attributed to writers: Lee Unkrich, Michael Arndt, John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton. Lasseter and Stanton have worked together many times before, dating back to the very first Toy Story film.  The script was nearly flawless, each character given the perfect amount of time to shine.

This movie is funny and touching from start to end and a great family film that kids and parents will enjoy alike.  Once again, I warn against the gimmicks of 3D. See the film in 2D; save the money; you're not missing out on anything by seeing it in 2D over 3D.  The good films always garnish smaller reviews.

4.5 out of 5 stars.