Toy Story 3 Review

Throughout cinema history, the number 3 has meant either grand success or an amazing failure. Whilst many movies such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi were undoubtedly amazing feats, there were also many 3rd installments that simply left more to be desired. (Spider Man 3, Alien 3, Friday the 13th Part 3, and Shrek the Third come to mind here) To much applause, Toy Story 3 hit theaters this month, and it was inarguably one to be remembered.

Now, this may come to as about as much surprise as the fact that Buzz Lightyear’s laser isn’t lethal, but Pixar has done it again. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know all about Pixar. Pixar is an animation company responsible for some of the greatest works in recent family movie history. Although their animation style and plotlines may be geared towards children, Pixar is also famous for touching the hearts of adults and having very deep themes for older viewers (such as the miscarriage in Up! [review coming soon]) Pixar is also famous for having the current record of any movie to make grown men cry (again; see Up!, a movie capable of reducing a manly man to a blubbering mess within the first 10 minutes) I could go on and on about Pixar, but that’s not why we’re here. On to the Toy Story 3 details.

Toy Story 3 follows the story of Buzz, Woody, and the others, as they go on one final adventure to end all adventures. The movie opens with the gang in what appears to be the single most badass western in all of history. Of course, it’s just Andy playing with his toys. From there, time quickly advances to present day. Andy is headed off to college, and all of the toys are destined for either the attic, or the trash. Due to a mix-up caused by Andy’s mother, the toys quickly find themselves in a day care for small children where life seems to be grand and wonderful. Now, what happens from there I won’t say, because I don’t want to spoil anything. But what I will say is that the plot is amazing, and the new characters are great. Lots-o, Ken, the Big Baby, and the dozens of other cast members play their parts unbelievably well, no matter how small their role. 

Toy story 3 is also hilarious beyond reason. From Spanish Buzz to Ken’s girl toy-ish ways, this movie has plenty of moments that will leave you dying of laughter and out of breath. But as goes with almost every Pixar movie, the ending is brutally depressing as well. Throughout the movie, we are having a feeling of abandonment thrown at us, and it is stressed that the toys’ play days are over. At the end, we finally realize just how serious this is. In hindsight, it’s actually a happy ending, but just try to tell yourself that while you’re bawling into your popcorn.

All in all, Toy Story 3 is an amazing movie. Without a doubt, it is my favorite movie of 2010, and I don’t see any movie surpassing it this year. It may be the best in the series, and one of the best of all time. Be warned however; this movie may pose health risks. Some people have reported busting a gut, or even laughing their asses clean off.