Toy Story 3

Day 22/192-Toy Story 3: Starring Tom Hanks and Tim Allen

My favourite people in the world of cinema are the people who work at Pixar. They work so hard to ensure that the quality of their films always comes before box-office success or even the implementation of new technology. So when it was announced that Toy Story 3 was going ahead, there was no doubt in my mind that they would only do if it if they felt they could do it justice, and that they most certainly did.

Unrivaled in technical terms, and still streaks ahead with their characters and ideas, the team at Pixar continue to craft stories that manage to delight adults and children alike and with the Toy Story franchise, that now spans a 15 year timeline since we first met Woody and Buzz, they have once again left the competition in their wake, with Toy Story 3 quite possibly the best one so far.

Toy Story 3 sees Andy all grown up and ready to go to college. He is clearing out his room when his mom offers him three options of what to do with his toys: take them to college, stick them in the attic or donate them to Sunnyside Daycare. After a mix-up all of the toys end up in the box marked Sunnyside, and Woody (Hanks) is desperate to get the gang back home, before Andy is gone.

But after a quick tour of Sunnyside, courtesy of Lotso Huggin' Bear and his faithful concierge Ken, the toys, who haven't been played with for years, are beginning to think that a new lease of life may not be so bad. Woody is not convinced and makes a break for it, leaving Buzz (Allen) and all the rest behind. After being picked up by a little girl outside, he travels home with her where he learns the truth about Sunnyside and has to make a choice between going it alone, or going back to save his friends.



Toy Story 3 is superb. For a film that manages to introduce so many new characters, each serving a purpose and none of them forgettable, just shows the commitment that Lee Unkrich has to giving the story the consideration it deserves. Everyone from Mr. Pricklepants, the thespian hedgehog, to Bonnie, the next generation of toy owner, is a joy to watch and even the existing characters are given new dimensions such as the green Army Men retiring from duty and a rejuvenating reset for Mr. Lightyear.

In particular, the introduction of Ken, the clothes-loving, well-groomed girl's toy, is a revelation. Voiced by Michael Keaton, Ken provides the biggest and best laughs throughout and is probably one of the most memorable performances of the year. Lotso is a welcome introduction as well and the way the writers have managed to develop such an in-depth character like Lotso over the course of 103 minutes is a real achievement.

The film will make you glad that you've got your 3D glasses on because within the first ten minutes you'll probably be getting emotional. Toy Story 3 captures perfectly the notion of growing up, watching Andy's home videos will bring a huge smile to your face and may give way to stronger emotions.



And that is what is key about Toy Story 3, you will never stop smiling. I had a grin on my face for the duration and even in my more emotional moments, I was still smiling. It is a well-told story, visually stunning, hilarious, devastating and in the end a completely satisfying end to what must now be the best trilogy of all time? It may even leave you thinking that there could be another, but with everything tied up perfectly and such an affirmative end, it's probably best to stop there.

With the ending leaving tears in your eyes and your stomach sore from laughing as you leave the cinema, you will no doubt remember this as a classic to show your own kids, after you've made a trip to the attic to apologise to all your old toys of course.

10/10