‘Toy Story 3’ is a Perfect Play Date For the Entire Family

CHICAGO – Very few recent films are as purely entertaining or thematically satisfying as Pixar’s “Toy Story 3,” not only one of the best films of the year but one of the best in the history of animation. Brilliantly tying up the two films that came before in a way that so many sequels fail to do, the geniuses at Pixar have done it again. It’s another masterpiece.

Rating: 5.0/5.0

Most animated sequels serve as nothing more than “greatest hits” compilations of the films that came before. Junk like the last two “Shrek” sequels are perfect examples of writers taking what families know and love and simply putting them on-screen again. They’re more like repeats than continuations or advancements of the story and seem designed merely to sell toys to a new generation born since the release of the last film in the franchise.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Toy Story 3” in our reviews section. [16]

An entire generation has now grown up with Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen). There are millions of boys like Andy who are at the crossroads where they must put away childish things and move on to the next phase of life. And yet there are lessons of childhood that must never be forgotten including the importance of imagination and the need for loyal friendship. Michael Arndt’s Oscar-worthy script for “Toy Story 3” merely asks that kids of all ages pull out their toys one final time and remember the lessons of childhood before moving on. It’s a better film than even the most diehard Pixar supporters hoped that it would be.

Most films can be broken down into three acts and the structure of “Toy Story 3” is one of its most brilliant elements. The first act is the “refresher course.” All of the characters and most of their catch phrases are reintroduced as the film opens with a clever action sequence that is, of course, merely a product of a home video of one of Andy’s more memorable playtimes. Pixar’s biggest weakness as a studio has always been in the action department and opening with a speeding train is almost a statement that you’re about to see something a bit different.

Continuing reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Toy Story 3” review. [16]

Toy Story 3
Photo credit: Pixar