Toy Story 3
Release Date: 19th July 2010 (UK)
Director: Lee Unkrich
Rating: U
Pixar/Disney
It has been a long time coming but the toy’s are back… in town… that phrase for the franchise seems pretty old hat, it was even used in the adverts back when the original came out. But it just rolls off the tongue! Toy Story 3 continues the excellent franchise and delivers a film which won’t disappoint. Better.
It has been a long time since the last film and time has moved on in Toy Story, Andy is now 17 ready for college which means the toy’s fate is uncertain. The attic, the skip or a daycare centre for little brats? While lead toy Woody the cowboy believes they should stick with Andy and go for the attic, a number of events leads them to the daycare which at first seems like paradise, to be played with everyday! Unfortunately when Woody leaves them in good faith, the daycare turns out not to quite be as it appeared. Now they must escape and get back to Andy! It is a familiar situation in a new setting but the simplicity works as they can really work with the characters and the ideas within the escape plotline.
In regards to the other films it is similar in quality for the most part. The cast is excellent as the voice actors really bring the toys to alive along with the stunning Cgi and soundtrack. I feels like we haven’t been a day without Woody and Buzz’s interactions, nevermind ten years and new characters, most notably Ken and Lots-O’-Huggin Bear are as strong as the existing cast. Some older characters have been purged unfortunately but keeping with a smaller set of heroes keeps the plot going with characters getting their own time to shine rather than just sitting in the background. Mr. Potato Head gets some of the funniest moments in the whole film, the whole daycare centre escape is probably the best set piece in the trilogy. Fitting tributes to the older films are included with cameos and old lines reused in new ways doesn’t feel lazy or tacked on, another example of the stupendous script. Never straying from the main plot keeps the pace, making one plotline last the duration of a feature film is Pixar’s specialty.
The film is a clever, fun-filled adventure appealing to the young and old, but it is the end of the story which will burn the film into people’s memories. Not going into spoilers, the ending breaks down the whole point of Toy Story and concludes giving a meaningful message of the stories journey that will cause some welling up. The greatest trilogy ever made and with such a perfect ending I hope they keep it that way without needless sequels, Toy Story will always be there as a trilogy to re watch and pass down and the toys will be remembered.
Night and Day
Night and Day is also an excellent short movie at the start which stuck in my mind. Confusing kids wondering what the hell was happening, two cartoon things with the world inside them both represent day and night. They show off what each time of day offers and it manages to blend together something wonderful. The use of sound and images is funny and it is interesting to see Pixar do a short which combines 2d animation with 3D.
