Toy Story 3 Review

One day there will come a day when a PIXAR film fails to meet my increasing expectations, but it is not this day. It is on this day that it brings me great joy to say that there is a strong possibility that “Toy Story 3” will be the best film I see all year. It’s only June but I’m willing to bet my summer paycheck that “Toy Story 3” will be #1 on my top 10 films of 2010. Not only is it a wonderfully engaging roller coaster of laughs, chills, and tears (lots and lots of tears); it is also a wise and special meditation on issues such as friendship, loyalty, and growing up.

But let me make one thing clear right from the get-go, “Toy Story 3” is not a perfect movie. The first half of the film is not up to PIXAR’s usual standards, but that’s not really a complaint considering that the first half is very good. It’s just not the perfect PIXAR film it turns into at the half-way mark. During the first half, some of the scenes didn’t grab me as much I would’ve liked them to and some of the gags feel forced and unnecessary in a film like this. I was also not very interested in the Ken character during the first half, but his presence greatly improved as the film went on. These are minor complaints in an otherwise fantastic film.

One of the things that PIXAR has gotten really good at over the years is making us like the heroes of their films almost instantly. Being that I have loved these characters since I was five years old, I was on their side from second one. But to go the extra mile, each character has their own little moment of reintroduction that reminds us why we love them so much. The screenplay also manages to give each character a lot of depth and complexity, something that animated films rarely do these days, and it makes us root and care for these characters as if they were family members. The voice actors also give top-notch performances, especially returning voice actors such as Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, and PIXAR’s lucky charm John Ratzenberger. Veteran actor Ned Beatty voices the film’s villain named Lotso (nicknamed after the strawberry smelling Lots-O-Huggin stuffed bear) and he is fantastic. He steals almost every scene he is in, because he is such a well-developed villain with a unique motive that almost grants him our sympathy. Lotso has become one of my favorite PIXAR villains of all time. Michael Keaton is also very good as Ken, Barbie’s significant other.

PIXAR has said from the get-go that they will not do a sequel unless they can come up with a story that is as good as the originals, and that promise has not been broken. The story of “Toy Story 3” is an absolute triumph of creativity and imagination. Right from the beginning it grabs you in a manner that feels unexpected and exciting at the same time. It makes you fall in love with these characters all over again in ways you can’t even conceive of. Sure the pacing is a little off during the first half of the film, but when it reaches the half-way point “Toy Story 3” starts to fire on all cylinders and it doesn’t stop until the theater lights come up.

The second half of “Toy Story 3” is perfect. It delivers both story-wise and emotionally, and sometimes at the same time. I guarantee that you will love this film due to the second half, because it is the best 55 minutes of a film I have ever sat through. And then there’s the final scene.

Oh my God, what an ending! I dare not give anything away but that will not stop me from talking about how powerfully moving and satisfying it is. It’s such a bittersweet and touching moment that will make even the hardest of men break down into tears. Saying that I cried at the end of this film is a big understatement. I sobbed at the end of “Toy Story 3”. I almost had to get up and walk out because I was sobbing so hard. I sobbed so hard my body started to shake. I know this sounds extremely over dramatic, but it is true. This is the hardest I have ever cried during a film in my life, and I’ve seen a lot of sad movies. I dare you not to tear up at the end of “Toy Story 3”, but you will give in no matter what.

I don’t want to sound like I’m repeating everybody when I say that the animation is perfect. The animations of all the characters are excellent, and this world that the film takes place in feels alive and real. Even the smallest technical details give the film that extra layer of realism. There are also a ton of inside jokes and brilliant nods to the previous films. Fans of “My Neighbor Totoro” will definitely get a kick out of one scene, as well as fans of “The Great Escape” and “Escape from Alcatraz”.

Yes, I forgot to mention a few things such as the stunning action scenes, the excellent dialogue, and some really funny jokes, but you get the idea. Overall, “Toy Story 3” is another monumental achievement from the geniuses at PIXAR that prove time and time again just how committed they are to producing excellence. Fans of animation and film in general should definitely go see this film. It is a fun, exciting, entertaining, sweet, touching, and wise film that jump-starts new life in this dying summer. Go see it. I know I will again. A