Toy Story
Toy Story Toy Story 2 Toy Story 3
Toy Story 3 -
Overview
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Brief Review
The team at Pixar return to Toy Story one last time for a proper send-off to the series that put the studio on the map. The story is much improved on Toy Story 2 and the animation is excellent again. The variety of toys on display here are excellent too and the voice acting is also top notch. This film is the proper way to say goodbye to a series of films that have captured the imagination of millions.
Full Review
Toy Story 3 is the third and final chapter in the Toy Story universe and is, in my opinion, close to beating the quality of the first film. The second Toy Story was a much darker film and in truth, the story wasn't as strong as it could be.
The story starts with Andy packing up for college and the toys desperate for some well-needed play time. Defiant that the toys won't end up in the trash, Woody reassures the toys that they will have a decent spot in the attic. It's only when Andy's mum mistakenly takes the box of toys to Sunnyside Daycare that the toys realize they have a new place to stay and get played with.
Staying loyal to Andy, Woody sets off back to Andy's house while then rest of the toys settle in at the Day-care. What follows is the evil ringleader Lots'O'Huggin forcing the toys to stay at the Day-care, refusing to let them leave. This soon ends up with Woody returning to help the toys break out from Sunnyside and return to Andy's room.
The story plays out like The Great Escape and is actually one of the strongest in the series. Lots'O'Huggin is the best villain in the series and his depressing back-story is enough to understand his motives. This is a nice touch as in so many films the villain is simply there for the sake of it.
The animation is simply stunning here. It's hard to believe that the animation is improved over Toy Story 2 but the studio have done it again and produced a visual masterpiece. The wet fur on Lots'O'Huggin is the most impressive step for the studio and the realism is amazing to see. The colourful setting of Sunnyside is also brilliantly eerie as a setting and the night scenes with the flashlights are a nod to Chicken Run.
The new characters are brilliant here and the voice acting is equally as good. Unlike Toy Story 2, the new cast blend in brilliantly and are just as memorable as the classic cast. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen return along with all the other cast and are on top form again. Buzz's role is slightly less than it has been but some of the humour included is a step up from the previous two films.
Overall, Toy Story 3 is an excellent sequel and arguably what the second film should have been. The new cast are excellent and match up well with the classic cast, with the Ken/Barbie story littered with humour and irony. Its a shame that after all these years Toy Story is coming to an end but with the final film all about letting go and moving on, the studio are fully aware of the love towards the characters. Toy Story 3 is a brilliant film and one that should be watched by everyone.