Name: Toy Story 3
Rated: G (seriously... this could have fooled me)
Runtime: 103 minutes
Genre: Kid's Action/Drama
Intro and Anecdote
When I heard that a third Toy Story movie was coming out, you can only imagine my excitement that one of the movies that had helped me grow when I was a kid was getting a third, and final movie, set far in the future... about the time I am now, just like the old movies... well, you can see where I'm going with this run-on sentence.
Toy Story wasn't just a movie series to me; it was something that I grew up with and knew the pains of incredibly personally through each step because (as amazingly as it seemed) I was the same age that Andy was, or at least close to it. This installment was no exception, me having run off to college just last year and going through just about everything Andy was with leaving behind everything familiar and having to give up old, fond memories of childhood and growing up in general. I hold this series close to heart, and I'm not only shocked and amazed at this movie, but... I have a bittersweet smile, while I say "goodbye" to something this nostalgic, like Andy has to give up his toys because he's older.
And for the record, because I'm sure that many people can agree; this is the first, and only G rated movie I have EVER cried watching. I'm going to go ahead and make a blanket statement that if you aren't at least moved by the bittersweet ending of this movie: you officially have no heart, and are a cold, emotionless being devoid of happiness.
Story and Characters
The story takes place many years in the future of the world of Toy Story from the second installment, taking us to the well-known and .... well, it's kind of a love/hate thing for most people, the move to college. Andy has grown up and hasn't played with his toys in a long time because he's a teenager, more concerned about the internet, other people, school... everything that comes in the bundle with growing up and moving away from the toys you loved as a child. Andy's mother is telling him that he has to chose what goes, what stays at home, and what goes with him to college, to which Andy gives the very teenager-oriented response of "I've got time, just... leave me alone, mom. I'll do it later." Ahh, procrastination.
In a turn of events that goes from bittersweet to outright tragic, the toys are mistaken to be "junk to go to the garbage" instead of Andy's intent to put them in the attic, and thus the story unfolds; the Toys trying to find their way back to Andy, after almost getting thrown away, being donated to a daycare center (which turns out to be a realm of Toy Hell itself), and many other wild rides all in the name of, "We have to get back to our owner!"
The story here is simple enough, but it finds it's usual way of being fantastic through how it's told. Every character has real emotions that people can sympathize with and it's not too hard to understand how the Toys feel... it's like having a long-time friend who has slowly drifted throughout the years finally give you up, but you're not ready to leave... not after all the years spent together playing and having fun... laughing... even some things that you might rather forget...
Err, whoops... Anyhoo.
Each of the old characters maintains their own charms and delights, and even the new characters that make an appearance, both good and bad, find their way to really portray themselves as real people. The villain, even at their most diabolical... still has a heart, that was just torn to shreds, hardened and cold by the innocent actions of someone they loved. Once the idol of a child, now thrown to the wayside by a careless misunderstanding. Truth be told, I almost felt worse for him than Woody and the gang, because I've been there myself. All I have to say about that is that romance is a *****.
Getting back on track, however, it's about as standard Toy Story as it comes; a heartfelt kid's movie with a golden kernel of truth that every adult in the audience can relate to, especially the kids around my age.
Oh, silly me... Toy Story 3 is fairly dark, however. Much of it deals with the "Life after the child" stage of the toys and what they want to do now. Obviously unable to help myself, I refer to Bob (again) who pointed out that ultimately, this movie is about the "Life after death" of toys, focusing on the mortality that people take for granted. However, it still feels and looks like a kid's movie, even though it's legitimately scary, sorrowful, and as dramatic as any movie I can remember seeing recently gets. I felt more emotion watching Toy Story 3 than I did watching The Godfather or any of it's sequels! Even if your kids don't understand what the meaning of everything in this movie; I'd say that it's worth it to bring them along for the ride while you enjoy a satisfying ending to a series.
Oh, and the ending... bring some tissues or at least make sure you can wipe your eyes on your sleeve because it's... it's beautifully bittersweet. I'm not typically one to get emotional during movies (especially kid's movies), but I was bawling at the ending.
Animation
The animation is what you'd come to expect from Pixar, and with the added effects of 3D, whether you love it or hate it, the animations of each of the characters remains the same epic standard of quality that you know and love. I'll admit that I was even impressed by how the toys seemed to almost gain ninja-like movement with some of the things they did, which I can only imagine challenged the animators to no end. Even a certain flamenco dance was wonderfully preformed and choreographed, but I'll say no more.
It's hard to really talk about the animation otherwise... it's what you'd expect from a company that was run by Disney who, let's face it, tend to be the best at animation, especially in kid's movies. Seriously: think of the top five kid's movies you remember that were animated. How many of those are Disney movies, or subsidiaries thereof?
Wrap-Up
I wish I had more to say about this movie, but... unfortunately I can't seem to find the words within me to describe Toy Story 3 by anything less than orgasmariffic. Terrifabulous? Epilicious? I wish I had a word to describe how I feel about this movie, but nothing seems good enough.
If you grew up, like me, with Toy Story, go see this movie. Even if you didn't because it was before or after your time, go take a watch and enjoy. After the movie, think to yourself, watching the credits roll through blurry eyes, "What ever happened to Mr. Snuggums?" or whatever your favorite toy's name was, and know that hey... maybe they made it to a good place. Looking back, I miss my Corduroy Bear and special collection of Beanie Babies... I hope they're doing okay, wherever they are.
Touching story, likable characters that are easy to sympathize with, a kid's movie that adults don't have to feel bad about loving, and a closeout to a fond childhood memory.
Thank you, Pixar. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for making a movie this special.
~Sui