Wow. Just got back for the midnight IMAX 3D screening of Toy Story 3, and words escape me (for once). Pixar has always brought the animated magic, but the studio known for its incredible mastery of the genre has clearly outdone itself here. While I was ridiculously excited for a new sequel in the brilliant Toy Story franchise (trilogy?), and had insanely high hopes for this movie, I was also a little wary - could Pixar still pull together the same mixture of humor, emotion, and strong storytelling about these characters so close to our hearts?Fear not! Toy Story 3 exceeded all of my wildest hopes and dreams. Disney/Pixar understands exactly what the audience wants. Regardless of the film's (ingenious) plot, our core characters from the past two films are back; they're exactly the same old toys we fell in love with 15 years ago (OH. MY. GOD.). The film adds many new characters, but Pixar never takes the spotlight off of our favorites. Toy Story 3 doesn't push the new characters on us; instead, they are mixed seamlessly into the narrative without seeming overdone or annoying. The new characters work brilliantly, but never obstruct our emotional connection with the gang.
The film's opening sequence is a big set piece in Andy's imagination, and it instantly warms the audience back up to the Toy Story universe; it's a perfect prologue, packed with the laughs and smart imagery we're used to from the first two films. The movie really starts with Andy packing up for college (cue the waterworks!), and he obviously has no need for his old toys as he moves into a dorm room. Through a strenuous series of events (that could obviously only be pulled off in the film world), Andy's old toys end up donated to a local daycare. The crew meets a new gang of happy-go-lucky toys, and are more than excited to have a new group of kids to play with. I couldn't possibly ruin the twisty and shocking plot for you, but things develop quickly for Andy's toys at the daycare. The movie is filled with a mixture of winning moments: emotional throwback scenes in Andy's room, witty introductions for the new toys (Ken is the best addition - an absolutely hilarious character, gifted with some really wonderful moments in the script), scenes constructed like a prison break thriller, film noir, and flashy action adventure. The script is ingenious, and never goes for a cliched plot moment over something more imaginative and complex. You'll remember why you fell in love with these characters in the first place when it happens all over again... Watch out for the final 20 minutes. Be prepared to weep.
The pressure to deliver with this film was immense for the Pixar team. But Pixar shows that no matter the pressure, they'll bring the goods. It's a movie for everyone; I honestly cannot think of a single person who wouldn't enjoy this film. The appeal for this franchise stretches across many generations, hence why this series makes a killing at the box office. There are many jokes for children, but also some hilarious bits that will go way over the heads of younger kids in the audience. You certainly don't need to be familiar with the first two films to enjoy this entry, but the emotional relationship we have with these toys (Rex is still my favorite; I had a huge dinosaur obsession when I was a kid) is something this film is aware of, and Pixar knows how to pull our heartstrings. Studios don't craft animated films with so many layers like this anymore.
The film's opening sequence is a big set piece in Andy's imagination, and it instantly warms the audience back up to the Toy Story universe; it's a perfect prologue, packed with the laughs and smart imagery we're used to from the first two films. The movie really starts with Andy packing up for college (cue the waterworks!), and he obviously has no need for his old toys as he moves into a dorm room. Through a strenuous series of events (that could obviously only be pulled off in the film world), Andy's old toys end up donated to a local daycare. The crew meets a new gang of happy-go-lucky toys, and are more than excited to have a new group of kids to play with. I couldn't possibly ruin the twisty and shocking plot for you, but things develop quickly for Andy's toys at the daycare. The movie is filled with a mixture of winning moments: emotional throwback scenes in Andy's room, witty introductions for the new toys (Ken is the best addition - an absolutely hilarious character, gifted with some really wonderful moments in the script), scenes constructed like a prison break thriller, film noir, and flashy action adventure. The script is ingenious, and never goes for a cliched plot moment over something more imaginative and complex. You'll remember why you fell in love with these characters in the first place when it happens all over again... Watch out for the final 20 minutes. Be prepared to weep.
The pressure to deliver with this film was immense for the Pixar team. But Pixar shows that no matter the pressure, they'll bring the goods. It's a movie for everyone; I honestly cannot think of a single person who wouldn't enjoy this film. The appeal for this franchise stretches across many generations, hence why this series makes a killing at the box office. There are many jokes for children, but also some hilarious bits that will go way over the heads of younger kids in the audience. You certainly don't need to be familiar with the first two films to enjoy this entry, but the emotional relationship we have with these toys (Rex is still my favorite; I had a huge dinosaur obsession when I was a kid) is something this film is aware of, and Pixar knows how to pull our heartstrings. Studios don't craft animated films with so many layers like this anymore.
Pixar is known for meticulous attention to detail, both in animation and the art of producing a plot that is thrilling, smart, and shockingly original. The most consistent studio in Hollywood, Pixar knows how to mesh witty moments of humor with serious themes; here, they tackle the need to find meaning in life as you grow up, and how to cope with that moment of finally letting go of the things you loved. It's interesting how Pixar can combine cutting-edge CGI animation with a tale about toys that are almost dead in our world, replaced by electronics and fancy gadgets. Pixar creates universes that are fantastical, yet grounded in a shockingly honest emotional core; with our own loss of childhood, and the nostalgia of these type of seminal toys, Toy Story 3 strikes a deep chord beyond the movie's plot. I laughed, I cried, I felt like a child all over again.
Toy Story 3 could be the crowning achievement of Pixar. Certainly better than Toy Story 2, and it's hard to compare to the original Toy Story because that film was something so unbelievable fresh - before Pixar was a powerhouse, before everyone was using CGI for animated films. However, it may be just as good as the original, though it's resonance would be impossible without the first two films to build off of; I'm ranking it as a tied with Wall-E as Pixar's best work. This is the film everyone should see this summer. Hands down, no question. Be sure to see the film in 3D; Pixar uses the form in subtle, beautiful ways. It doesn't use 3D because it's the hot new (and often annoying) thing to see in theaters, but because it adds an edge to the story instead of throwing the trick in your face. Those big glasses will also help hid your tears. It hits the right emotions at the right moments, without being overly sentimental or blatantly pushing the audience's buttons.
Also, the short film before Toy Story 3 is Day & Night, and it is far and beyond their best short to date. Day & Night is worth the ticket price alone. I couldn't even begin to describe it, as words probably wouldn't do the highly inventive animation justice. Just be prepared from something that not only has an important message, but does so in a way that has never been seen before. I was pinned to my seat before the opening credits for Toy Story 3 even began. Pixar has raised the bar again, and they show their commitment to exploring new, exciting animation for the first few seconds.
The entire Toy Story 3 experience was something you don't find in movie theaters very often. After 150 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes has the film listed at 99% positive reviews. That's unreal, and an unbelievable feat in today's cinema. Sometimes, when leaving a movie theater, you're struck with an overwhelming emotion that almost impossible to describe. I felt it when I walked out of the midnight screening of Inglourious Basterds, and I felt it even stronger exiting Toy Story 3 (never thought I'd see those two movies in the same sentence). It's a masterpiece. I'm still in awe, and plan to gush about the film for a very long time. A
Toy Story 3 could be the crowning achievement of Pixar. Certainly better than Toy Story 2, and it's hard to compare to the original Toy Story because that film was something so unbelievable fresh - before Pixar was a powerhouse, before everyone was using CGI for animated films. However, it may be just as good as the original, though it's resonance would be impossible without the first two films to build off of; I'm ranking it as a tied with Wall-E as Pixar's best work. This is the film everyone should see this summer. Hands down, no question. Be sure to see the film in 3D; Pixar uses the form in subtle, beautiful ways. It doesn't use 3D because it's the hot new (and often annoying) thing to see in theaters, but because it adds an edge to the story instead of throwing the trick in your face. Those big glasses will also help hid your tears. It hits the right emotions at the right moments, without being overly sentimental or blatantly pushing the audience's buttons.
Also, the short film before Toy Story 3 is Day & Night, and it is far and beyond their best short to date. Day & Night is worth the ticket price alone. I couldn't even begin to describe it, as words probably wouldn't do the highly inventive animation justice. Just be prepared from something that not only has an important message, but does so in a way that has never been seen before. I was pinned to my seat before the opening credits for Toy Story 3 even began. Pixar has raised the bar again, and they show their commitment to exploring new, exciting animation for the first few seconds.
The entire Toy Story 3 experience was something you don't find in movie theaters very often. After 150 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes has the film listed at 99% positive reviews. That's unreal, and an unbelievable feat in today's cinema. Sometimes, when leaving a movie theater, you're struck with an overwhelming emotion that almost impossible to describe. I felt it when I walked out of the midnight screening of Inglourious Basterds, and I felt it even stronger exiting Toy Story 3 (never thought I'd see those two movies in the same sentence). It's a masterpiece. I'm still in awe, and plan to gush about the film for a very long time. A
P.S. For a wonderful laugh, check out this ridiculous review for Toy Story 3 after seeing the movie (out of the 150 reviews collected on Rotten Tomatoes, only two are negative).
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