Review: Toy Story 3

By now it's no secret that the folks weave dreams for your enjoyment. In the 15 they've been releasing movies, not one of them has been bad. They have pioneered both the narrative and technical world of movie making using technologies and stories far beyond their time. Movies like Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Wall-E, and Up have topped the box office and captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. Needless to say they have quite the reputation to live up to.
I'll get this right out of the way, Toy Story 3 does not disappoint. It manages to cater to everyone, and has moments that will have both adults and children laughing together.

Toy Story 3 follows Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and a group of other returning toys, their numbers dwindling after various yardsales and whatnot. Andy, the toy's loving owner in the last 2 movies, has grown up and is about to depart for college. His toys hold their heads high and accept their new role- storage in the attic, waiting for Andy when he needs them. As the moveout begins, there is a terrible mixup and the toys nearly get thrown out. Woody is the only one aware of the mistake and tries to convince the others that Andy still wants them, but has no luck. The group winds up hiding in a donation box for the local day care, where they can at least brighten other children's lives. Everyone is happy about this turn of events except for Woody, who remains fiercely loyal to Andy.

The writing in the film is executed expertly, giving life to each and every character. The voice talent is fantastic in turning the toys into living breathing characters that you will care about. The animation and visuals are spectacular as always, technology finally able to create the playful, cluttered, colorful world that living toys would exist in. The animation direction is spectacular. Toys feel like they're being played with, moved by invisible hands all the time. Their movements during action scenes are quick and jerky in a good way, exactly how a child would move the limbs of a toy. When they run, their legs flail as if they were ragdolls being moved by a higher force, which is just what they are. Lighting in the film plays a bigger role than in any other Pixar movie. When Woody's face is illuminated by the pale green of a light above a dumpster just before dawn, you will realize how out of their environment the toys are, how far from home.

Two triumphs of animation are Ken, Barbie's love interest who totally steals the show with his stiff, jointless walking and hilarious dialogue. The other, a little girl named Bonnie, plays a small part but her animation makes her so adorable you will want to give her a hug right then and there (probably the only reason to see the movie in 3D)

The story deals with abandonment, loyalty, lingering feelings, growing up, moving on, letting go, and in true Pixar style will leave you choked up remembering the fond childhood memories you have. While it doesn't have the magic of Up or Wall-E, it is the perfect ending to the Toy Story series, and recommended to anyone with an inner child, or an outer one.

4/5 stars.

(Unfortunately I was unmoved. Angel Boats completely destroyed my ability to love anything else.)