Toy Story 3 (Walt Disney Pictures)
The Best of the Bunch
With the first two Toy Story movies being hugely popular and well made it is amazing the third installment is the best of the bunch. But it is! This new edition appeals to the head, the heart and the funny bone. Both of the first two did also, but this one does it even better. Those Pixar people know how to do it right and with total excellence.
At the start of this movie there is a grand adventure going on with Sheriff Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) trying to save a runaway train. The evil pig Hamm (John Ratzenberger) blows up the bridge and it looks like all the Troll dolls on board are going over the edge. This is a great start to the movie and ends up being the way Andy played with his toys.
Now it is time for Andy (John Morris) to pack up things to get ready for college. The toys figure they will end up in the attic and they are okay with that. Even Woody knows he cant be Andys favorite toy forever. However, through a mistake the toys are placed in a garbage bag and put at the side of the road to go to a garbage dump.
That mishap is averted and the toys end up at Sunnydale Day Care Center. There they are greeted by other toys such as a bear named Lotso (Ned Beatty) and the smooth operator Ken (Michael Keaton). Ken is immediately attracted to Barbie (Jodi Benson).
Further adventures ensue leading up to a dramatic climax and a bittersweet ending. The more emotional adults accompanying their kids will have a hard time fighting back some tears. Younger kids will just enjoy the wonderment and awe of it all.
Most of the voices used in the film have been heard in the previous installments such as Woody (Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusak), Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles), Mrs. Potato Head (Estelle Harris), Barbie (Jodi Benson) and Slinky Dog (Blake Clark). There are many more but these are some of the most outstanding. Among the new guys Beatty, Keaton and Bonnie Hunt as Dolly make an impression.
Everything about this movie works, from the jokes by the hilarious characters to the agony of the possible separation of the toys. There is even real drama at the end when the toys are in a life or death situation. Each actor uses his/her voice to maximize the enjoyment of each and every character.
Director Lee Unkrich knows how to maximize the value of the script by John Lassiter, Andrew Stanton, Michael Arndt and himself. The film never lags and each segment keeps topping the one before it.
The film is available to be seen in 3D but it is not necessary for the enjoyment of the story and the characters.
The film is rated G even though there is some toy violence in the film.
The Walt Disney Studio and Pixar work best when they are combining their talents to give us wonder inducing family entertainment. Heres hoping they keep collaborating for years and years to come.
I scored Toy Story 3 an infinity and beyond 9 out of 10.
