Third instalment in Pixar series does the original proud
In a summer already over-saturated with remakes and sequels it would be easy to write Toy Story 3 off as another franchise cash grab but a studio like Pixar is not about to sully its name with a lazy sequel. The Toy Story franchise is the grand dame of the CGI family film revolution and the third and final instalment does the original proud.
In many ways Toy Story 3 is pretty formulaic: you’ve got a plot that involves the now familiar cast of toys (Woody Buzz Lightyear et al) being separated from their owner Andy; a soundtrack provided by Randy Newman; and a cast of voices provided by A-listers like Tom Hanks and Tim Allen as well as character favourites Wallace Shawn and John Ratzenberger. But fittingly the film rises above the formula and just feels like a warm familiar friend rather than a retread.
After a brief (and beautifully created) fantasy play scene the film reveals that Andy has grown up and is about to head off to college leaving his long-neglected toys behind. The toys find themselves headed to the curb for garbage pickup. They eventually end up donated to a local daycare but find that the facility’s toddler room is a special kind of hell for toys (a fact that most parents can attest to). An escape plan and plenty of adventure naturally ensue.
Of course Toy Story 3 is depicted in 3D and while one would hate to encourage film studios to continue the trend (note to the powers that be: little kids generally hate the 3D glasses and usually leave the theatre with a headache) in this case the medium works. Pixar uses the flashier aspects of the technology sparingly and toys end up looking so real that the movie could almost be mistaken for stop-animation. But ultimately as impressive as the visuals are Toy Story 3 ’s strengths are its humour and its heart. This isn’t just a film for children or a film for adults who fondly remember playing with their Fisher Price toys (though there are some truly spectacular re-creations of vintage gems). It’s a film about growing up letting go and finding one’s place in the world. While the children in the audience will probably enjoy the high adventure over the sentimental message many parents imagining the day their own tots will have to give up their beloved toys will leave the theatre with tears in their eyes.
