Toys That Last All Summer Long

Toy Story 3
Starring: Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear), Don Rickles (Mr. Potato Head), Wallace Shawn (Rex), John Ratzenberger (Hamm), Ned Beatty (Lotso), Buttercup (Jeff Garlin), Trixie (Kristen Schaal), Ken (Michael Keaton) Jessie (Joan Cusack), Bonnie (Emily Hahn) Andy (Johnny Morris) and Timothy Dalton as Mr Pricklepants.
Directed by Lee Unkrich.

What do we with toys when we grow up? Most of the time people donate/sell or just get rid of them some people collect them, and shock horror, they never open them! These questions are answered in the highly successful Toy Story series. Woody, Buzz and the cowgirl Jessie return for Toy Story 3D, the third and final instalment. As ever they are voiced by actors Tim Allen and Joan Cusack. Oscar winning actor Tom Hanks reprises his most and some would say his best role since Pep Streebek(Dragnet) as Woody the cowboy.

With an amazing eye-popping opening sequence, especially in 3D, it cuts to a teenage Andy(Morris) about to move out and go to college. Deciding to take Woody(Hanks) with him he begins to put the other toys in cold storage, but his mom mistakes them for junk and leaves them for collection outside on the road. The toys end up at Sunnyside day-care centre for where they are welcomed by "Lots-O'-Huggin Bear" (Beatty).

Leaving the rest of them behind, Woody attempts to return to his owner but ends up in the hands of another child, Bonnie(Hahn). After meeting the other toys owned by her, he discovers that Lotso is a tyrant and runs the place with an iron fist. Woody embarks on a mission to save his friends and go back home. What Woody doesn't realise that Buzz(Allen) has reverted back to his deluded space captain persona and escaping from the centre is just the beginning of his problems...

I skimmed through some of the reviews of TS3. A lot of critics have said it's quite dark for a Pixar film, themes of abandonment and growing up along with our heroes threatened with incineration add spice to the storyline. Its also mixed with hilarious turns from Toy newcomer Ken who suffers a inferiority complex, he's voiced by former Batman Michael Keaton. 007 Timothy Dalton pops up as Hedgehog thespian Mr Pricklepants whilst Buzz goes Spanish after a malfunction.

There's quite a lot of moviegoers who have grown up with Woody and Buzz. There was a time when Buzz Lightyear figures sold like hot cakes for Christmas. Although it's still a kids film Woody and Buzz will always have a multi generational appeal. Director Lee Unkrich with writer Michael Arndt and creator John Lasseter AKA the big Disney C.E.O have acknowledged that fact and have given Woody and the toys a send off which truly goes to infinity and beyond (no pun intended).

Before I go I thought I should let you know that prior to the film starting, check out the nifty Pixar short "Night and Day", Its loads better than that upcoming Tom Cruise flick.

DW Rating: 4/5

Posted: 16/7/2010
Categories: Movies / Reviews

1 comment (Add Yours)

Tom Cash | 07/09/2010: 14:24

Great read Neil!

Add Your Comment