‘Toy Story 3’ is the Perfect Ending to a Wonderful Trilogy
-----It seems like just yesterday that ‘Toy Story 2’ was released. In fact, it’s been twelve years. The first two films have remained classics, perfectly playing off each other and proving to be worthy foundations for the Pixar phenomenon. And their last three overrated titles including ‘Ratatouille,’ ‘Wall-E,’ and ‘Up,’ Pixar has returned to the excellence they built their studio on. With ‘Toy Story’ being the first feature length film employing the then-novelty CG animation technique, few could have guessed it would go on to change animated films forever, acting as the ‘Snow White’ of modern cinema; thus there were no expectations. Consequently, unlike the aforementioned decent but overrated titles, the ‘Toy Story’ films have never been preachy or carried an agenda, they just told the unique story of their heroes without a thought towards expectations or outside pressures. And so it is for ‘Toy Story 3,’ an animated film that somehow entertains all ages while simultaneously proving to be the year’s most moving narrative endeavor.
-----Andy is 17 and heading off to college in a week. My name is Andrew, I’m seventeen, and I’m going to college this fall. Now that that odd similarity is out of the way, I’ll bring up another. I was about three and five for the release for release of the first two films, and ‘Toy Story 3’ comes out the day of my 18th birthday. That said, it’s fair to say that the ‘Toy Story’ films have rounded out my life; I’ve come full circle with these guys. Just as the toys we’ve loved time and time again over the years must deal with their irrelevancy as Andy moves on, everyone who’s grown up with the ‘Toy Story’ franchise is along for the ride. It’s this brilliance that makes ‘Toy Story 3’ and the whole trilogy so amazing, the ability to relate to any and all age groups in a way so close to home. It seems oddly poetic that in a medium with so many shallow characters and bland performances from live action actors, animated toys would become the most authentic and relatable heroes. And for their latest adventure, the toys find themselves at a daycare, fighting for their lives with every new playtime, while Woody tries to convince the disillusioned lot that Andy still needs them.
-----Tom Hanks returns as Sheriff Woody, reminding us just what perfect voice acting sounds like. His indelible familiarity and presence have made Woody one of the greatest characters of all time, never mind one of the greatest animated characters ever. And the same is true for Tim Allen’s likewise ideal and no less legendary take on Buzz Lightyear, a character prominent in this newest outing, though a bit more screen time and/or one-on-one with Woody may have been desirable. Regardless, the reason behind fewer Woody-Buzz exclusive scenes is the greater inclusion of the whole group of toys, including a larger role for Don Rickles’s Mr. Potato Head and consistent contributions from Pixar mainstay John Ratzenberger’s Hamm, Wallace Shawn’s Rex, Estelle Harris’s Mrs. Potato Head, Blake Clark’s Slinky Dog, and Joan Cusack’s Jessie. In addition to the untouchable ensemble of voice talents that make up our heroes, new characters include Ned Beatty as Lotso, a character reminiscent of ‘Toy Story 2’s Prospector, and Michael Keaton’s hilarious Ken Doll, among others.
-----In the technical realm the animation is as crafty as ever, continuing the legacy of Pixar’s superb visual prowess. We finally see Andy’s mom above the waist, and indeed the viewpoint has affectively shifted from one of childhood to that of a departing teenager, along with the toys increasingly self-aware outlook on life. On a lesser note, the 3D is good, but a bit unnecessary. Taking place mostly indoors and through close-ups, the technique is a nice bonus but not an essential one for viewing, as it was with 3D hits like ‘Avatar’ and ‘How to Train Your Dragon,’ where the stories were practically built around servicing the technique through various airborne theatrics. Nevertheless, ‘Toy Story 3’ boasts the year’s greatest animated efforts thus far, as a powerhouse combination of consistency and flair. The musical score heavily derives, as it should, from Randy Newman’s work on the earlier installments, though it veers away during the film’s main plot in the bulk of the narrative. While I could have used more of the classic numbers seen in the earlier films, the scarcity of its use makes it all the more potent when it does come into play.
-----If the three films were to be summed up in short, it would go something like this. The original ‘Toy Story’ is classic, ‘Toy Story 2’ is hilarious, and ‘Toy Story 3’ is a fitting ending for a brilliant trilogy. Indeed, ‘Toy Story 3’ employs the formula we’ve seen and want from the franchise, involving the toys estrangement from home, and ultimate fight to escape for Andy’s sake. Often funny but not quite as side-splitting as its predecessors, ‘Toy Story 3’ doesn’t really hit a home run until its closing 15 minutes. With a heartbreaking and wonderful conclusion, the guys at Pixar remind us just how much we love these characters, and just how much we relate to them in our own lives. Each character has such a history in both what we see in the films and what is implied that even the smallest roles carry the emotional wait of being in a seemingly real and lived-in universe. Seldom is there a scene in any medium with the emotional depth of the films’ finale, which packs an emotional punch that could knockout a rhino. All in all it’s heartwarming and thrilling to see the series come to such an awesome conclusion, addressing the inevitable undertone of the first two films with Andy’s departure to college. If the first film was darkest with the second a bit lighter, the third can only be seen as lighter for the bulk for the plot; for it gets dark in the heart of its climax. And it truly is a wrap-up to rank with the satisfying conclusion of ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ with the aforementioned darkness being one of even further similarities between the two films when it comes to their respective climaxes. While ‘Toy Story 3’ may be a bit familiar for the meat of its runtime, its final fifteen minutes are the perfect finale for the franchise. And in a big way, ‘Toy Story 3’ is made great by the history established in its predecessors. Neither pretentious nor artificial, the sentimentality driven home by ‘Toy Story 3’ is genuine and true, both defining the very word sentimental and reminding us why that isn’t a bad trait to have, as an ode to not just friendship but the love shared among multitudes of families, whether relatives or friends, who spend their lives together. ‘Toy Story 3’ is the best animated film of the year thus far, edging out the very popular ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ and likely to hang on to the title through the year’s end while also proving one of 2010’s best in any genre. Don’t overlook the film’s merits with ignorant allegations of its simplicity, for you’d be missing out on one of the most affecting and deep films to come around in a long while. And if there’s one thing to be taken from ‘Toy Story 3,’ it’s that college is evil.
-----Oscar Watch: It’s going to be the first close race in a long time for the Best Animated Feature Oscar, but my money is on 'Toy Story 3’ edging out ‘How to Train Your Dragon.’ While being a sequel works against ‘Toy Story 3,’ its undeniable potency and charm will establish it as the better film, and the first rightful winner of the Oscar in quite a while. It’s also the first time I’ll be pulling for a Pixar film in three years or so, but there’s no doubt that if the Oscars were held tomorrow, Pixar’s grand conclusion to their epic toy saga is the rightful recipient to add yet another Oscar to the acclaimed studio’s credentials. Also watch out for a Best Picture Nomination if the Academy continues their Ten Nominee marketing strategy, along with possible Nominations is the musical and screenplay realms.
-----Tidbit: ‘Toy Story 3’ is also home to one of the most original and entertaining shorts Pixar’s ever done, with great application of the 3D technology.
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