Woody, Buzz, Mr. Potato Head, Rex, Jessie and the rest of the gang are back in the saddle again, this time attempting to avoid a permanent trip to the attic or the dreaded trash heap in TOY STORY 3.
The gang’s owner Andy, now a young adult, is preparing to leave for college, but dear old mom has issued an ultimatum. The toys have three options: college, the attic or the trash. Woody makes the college cut, but the rest of the toys are stashed in a garbage bag for the attic. The problem comes, and so does the plot, when Andy’s mom mistakes the garbage bag full of toys for trash.
It’s up to Woody to save his friends from their refuse destination, and back to Andy’s old stomping grounds.
The gang’s owner Andy, now a young adult, is preparing to leave for college, but dear old mom has issued an ultimatum. The toys have three options: college, the attic or the trash. Woody makes the college cut, but the rest of the toys are stashed in a garbage bag for the attic. The problem comes, and so does the plot, when Andy’s mom mistakes the garbage bag full of toys for trash.
It’s up to Woody to save his friends from their refuse destination, and back to Andy’s old stomping grounds.
Separation anxiety is nothing new for the old toys. In the original TOY STORY, Woody felt as if Andy had replaced him with Buzz, in the sequel some of the toys are yard sale or donation casualties and in TOY STORY 3 almost everyone feels as if they've been left for good.
Despite the repetitive theme, TOY STORY 3 feels fresh because it launches the toys into the new world of Sunnyside, a day care center that isn’t as pleasant as it seems. Just when you think you’ve seen all the colorful characters the TOY STORY series has to offer, the third installment serves up that many more. Two of the newest characters, from Sunnyside, are also the most memorable, with Lotso, a worn, and cute teddy bear with a dark past, and Ken, Barbie’s beau, who provides the film with the most laughs, and a wardrobe montage for the ages.
The voice work is again impeccable, with Michael Keaton as Ken, Ned Beatty as Lotso and all of the returnees not missing a beat. The film isn’t as efficiently paced as the first two, but it almost makes up for it with two of the series most emotional scenes. The gang has faced some serious odds in the past, but nothing like the third’s climax, one which really pulls at the heart strings.
TOY STORY 3, like all Pixar pictures, is a riveting adventure and comedy for children, and a whole lot more for their parents.
Grade: B+
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