What’s not to like about the good-hearted cowboy Woody or the energetic spaceman Buzz Lightyear – returning characters in Pixar’s new movie Toy Story 3? This third movie in the series may leave some viewers weepy as it’s time for Andy to put away his beloved toys and head off to college. Packing up his room becomes a tough decision as Mom gives him only three choices for his youth arsenal – the attic, the trash, or the box that will go off to college with Andy.
Andy (voiced by John Morris) has some soul searching to do about his childhood toys, but finally tosses Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) in the box for college and the rest of the gang in a bag for the attic. Panic insures when Woody watches Andy’s mom mistakenly pick up the bag intended for the attic and set it on the curb for the garbage truck. A few commando team moves later and all the toys are on the way to the Sunnyside Daycare center. Woody is sure the toys will be safe and loved by the little kids.
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Faster than Jessie (voiced by Joan Cusack) can draw her gun, the toys are tricked by Lotso (voiced by Ned Beatty), a big cuddly teddy bear who locks them in a room. They quickly learn this is the room for the tiny tots who would rather pound the toys on the floor than play with them.
Woody is still the brave leader who will not let his friends become injured and useless. Things get serious when Lotso and his pals reverse the screws on the back of Buzz (Tim Allen) and make him turn against Woody and the gang. Buzz is really funny as he attempts to be a seriously mean hombre.
Most of the characters from Toy Story 2 are back with a few exceptions, and a few new ones round out the cast. Ken (voiced by Michael Keaton) is a fashionista with a mean streak, but when he sets eyes on Barbie (voiced by Jodi Benson) he puts on a good face. Big Baby is cute but don’t let those baby blue eyes fool you. Even though she doesn’t speak, it’s clear she’ll do whatever Lotso wants her to, and it’s not good.
Pixar delivers once again in thoroughly entertaining kids and adults with this new film. The animation is incredible; the characters enduring and there’s a real message at the heart of the story about change, working as a team and good vs. evil c although this is significantly dumbed down for the kids.
Toy Story 3 is also adventurous and funny. The entire escape from Sunnyside requires some top notch military training and quick thinking use of objects around them. When the toys finally escape they end up at the dump – not back at Andy’s house – ready to be incinerated. This part of the movie results in edge-of-your-seat excitement for both kids and adults, all wondering where such a perilous moment will end.
There are many laughs throughout the film. Mr. Potato Head (voiced by Don Rickles) seemed to get the most votes when he lost part of his body and attached his pieces to a wobbly tortilla shell. The comical scenes with Ken and Barbie will surely be more amusing to the moms than kids. Give them Slinky Dog (voiced by Blake Clark) or Rex (Wallace Shawn) and they’re happy.
I can’t say the 3-D in the version I watched wowed me, so if the extra money is a problem, kids will probably be just as entertained watching the 2-D version. All in all, Toy Story 3 is a great family film that will reign as a favorite from infinity to beyond!
Photo credits: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Pixar
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