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Title: Toy Story 3
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| CONSUMER ADVICE |
Parents, though rated G there are a fair amount of scary moments that could frighten younger children. Recommended for ages 7 and up. |
It’s been eleven years since we’ve last seen Woody and Buzz on the big screen and fifteen years since the original movie revolutionized the world of animation. I can’t say I was always chomping at the bits for another Toy Story movie, but the previous film did leave me with the itching question of what WOULD happen to the toys when Andy grew up! “Toy Story 3" takes place at just a time when Andy is preparing to leave for college and the toys are not being played with very much. So lonely are they that they even hatch a plan involving a cell phone just to get his attention.
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The toys - realizing how desperate they are to be played with - decide to take matters into their own hands and donate themselves to Sunny Daycare, a place that promises they will be played with everyday by kids, and they will never be unwanted. Though all the toys like this idea Woody (Academy Award-winner Tom Hanks) dislikes the idea. While there is little wrong with the daycare on the outside he still feels they are Andy’s toys and that their bailing on him. Never mind that Andy seems to have little love for them in return, but there lies the dilemma. The movie alternates between two storylines almost.
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The first is that Andy is growing up and clearly no longer needs the toys and how the toys react to reality. The second is the daycare storyline, where everything looks fine until they realize the daycare is ruled with an iron fist by Lots-O'-Huggin' Bear (Ned Beatty). When it comes to the storylines I feel the former storyline is clearly the better of the two. The daycare scenes are lots of fun and introduces lots of new characters, but it ultimately seems to take away from the core message of the film. It’s more silly and action-filled then the rest of the movie, which ends up being so brutally honest the film comes off less as a family film and more like a serious adult drama.
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I’m not kidding when I say that it gets to you on a deep emotional level that will likely leave you surprised by how much you really care about everything here. And while the daycare scenes feel more padded then they should it does keep the movie fun to watch. Lots of new characters are introduced here, with my personal favorite being Barbie’s new flamboyant boyfriend Ken (Michael Keaton), who breaks into the movie and steals virtually every scene he’s in. It’s also during these scenes that Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) acquires a new Mexican flair that is much more entertaining then previews let on.
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Though the movie is easily the weakest of the three due to it’s split personality and lack of focus it’s still a very entertaining movie that tugs at the heart during very pivotal moments. Don’t let my (what looks weak) star grade make you think this is not a worthy film. It’s a very good film. One that might even get better with repeat viewing. When it’s not confused or dragging it’s feet (which account for less then 10% of the film) it’s either high-flying fun or deeply emotional. It’s a solid farewell to the characters that helped utter in a new generation of animation and storytelling, and just because it’s not their best doesn’t mean it should be missed.
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Spaceriffic Review
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