[Rated G, 2010, 5 Stars]
[This article first appeared in The Vernal Express in 2010.]
[This article first appeared in The Vernal Express in 2010.]
By Gary Lee Parker
Express Columnist
In the cynical and exploitative world of modern Hollywood, it’s rare a sequel succeeds like the lovable follow-up to Pixar’s 1995 hit, Toy Story. But it’s nearly unheard of for a ‘part 3’ to make the grade as well. So I was dubious going in to the latest release in the franchise, worried I might see my beloved Woody, Hamm, and Rex abused at the hands of their makers. After all, how long can one company keep cranking out such masterpieces as Up, Cars, and The Incredibles? They have to bomb sometime, don’t they? Nobody’s that perfect. The laws of the universe just seem against them in this.
But apparently somebody is that perfect, and that somebody is Pixar. Because Toy Story 3 is not only good, it’s clearly the best, most endearing and delightful movie of the year, and is likely Oscar-bound as Best Animated Feature, an award the animation company has picked up for each of the last three years.
Pixar can do no wrong.
But, seriously, how can you go wrong with a dancing Spanish-speaking Buzz Lightyear? The answer is, you can’t.
Toy Story 3 finishes the tale began in 1995 about the relationship with a child and his or her toys. The movie begins with Andy now seventeen years old and getting ready to leave the nest and head off to college. His affinity for his beloved toys leads him to bag them for storage in the family attic while he’s away.
But after a mix-up that ends with all our favorite characters donated to a preschool ruled by an evil purple bear, the team find themselves fighting for their freedom, their friends, and their very lives, in a desperate attempt to get home.
Along the way, Pixar tells a story that is laugh-out-loud funny, drawing shrieks of laughter and cheering from an all-ages audience.
But the tale is much more than a comedy. Though it draws you in with the fun, it wins you over with heart.
And there’s a lot of it here. With allusions to the common disillusionment that inevitably seems to occur in any relationship, the team has to face the age-old question of whether they should stand by the aging, but loyal, partner, or seek out a younger, more vibrant and new relationship.
The new, younger relationship, it turns out, is immature and emotionally unstable, and ultimately bad for everyone.
They end up finding the value of admitting when you’re wrong, of true friendship, of loyalty, and the value of being loved, even when that love has grown stale, as well as the nature of evil and the difficulty of change.
But more than anything, this is a film that speaks to the heart of an increasingly common conception in our modern world of easy divorce and abandonment: that we are at best disposable to those we love.
Along the way we are treated to an avalanche of delightful pop-culture references and inside jokes that make the film more fun with each viewing.
And hidden Pixar ‘Easter Eggs’ abound throughout the film. See if you can spot some of them, including: a young boy wearing a Lightning McQueen tee-shirt, a “W. Cutting Blvd.” sign on Andy’s bedroom wall (a reference to the original Pixar studio location in Richmond, Cali.,) Buy n Large brand batteries (a brand name from Wall-E,) Mike and Boo plush toys (from Monsters, Inc.,) a sticker with an image of Nemo, and a postcard from the Fredricksens (from Up,) among many others.
Toy Story 3 beats all the odds, and wraps up the Toy Story franchise with a perfect, and beautiful, bow, taking its place in our American movie tradition as on of the greatest achievements in animated film history. It’s technically stunning, visually beautiful, genuinely funny, and deeply moving. If you aren’t at least a little choked up during the final scene, you should probably check yourself into the nearest hospital immediately. There is almost certainly something very wrong.
Should I let my children see this film?
Yes, and as soon as possible! Toy Story 3 is the best of the trilogy. It’s life-affirming messages of love, loyalty, forgiveness, trust, dealing with evil, friendship, and empowerment are wonderfully played, and deeply affecting. Children of all ages will love the characters and the story. It is an instant classic. The film is rated G, and has very little that might offend. Though scenes of a seemingly evil baby doll might frighten some of the youngest viewers, they are sure to have seen much worse on regular television. Some questions to ask to start a discussion about the film’s themes might be: Why do Woody’s friends not trust him at first? Is their jealousy of Andy’s love healthy? Why do you think Lotso refuses to change, even after being saved by Woody and the gang? Do you think some people choose to be evil, or is there hope for everyone? Why do you think change is so difficult? How do you think you can best deal with it in your own life? How can one person standing up to evil make a difference? Do you think your voice matters, and that you can make a difference? How can you stand up to mean and evil people in your own life?
Should I see this film?
Yes, and with a theater full of delighted children! Nearly everyone will find Toy Story 3 a wonderful and heart-warming story, expertly crafted and deeply affecting. Almost no one will be offended by anything at all in this film. See it soon.