Customer Reviews

Toy Story 3

5 star:		(463)
4 star:		(72)
3 star:		(37)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(31)

 

 

My review is brief as others have almost said it all. I just want to say that I am 62 years old, and just the thought about the way I felt when I saw this movie in the theatre makes me tear up. It is a nostalgic feeling in a big way. Reminds you of your childhood and those special feelings about growing up. You want to grow up and get on to being an adult in the worst way, but thinking back now your childhood was such a very special time. So fleeting and if we're lucky, such a special time in our lives.
I highly recommend the purchase of this movie to add to your collection.
I honestly feel that the series should stop here. Perfect right where it was left.

I went to the San Francisco Film Festival screening at Pixar Studios last night not really knowing what to expect. Toy Story has been with us for 15 years now (20, in terms of actual development) and I had a sinking feeling that maybe all the character potential had been used in the first two and this was some shameless plot by Disney to exploit the franchise ("Little Mermaid 3", anyone?). Well, shame on me for underestimating the capabilities of Pixar, who once again have shown how a small studio in Emeryville is a storytelling powerhouse that leaves the rest of the industry in the dust.

Toy Story 3 is the tale of Andy, the toys' owner, going to college and their quest to determine their future - headed between the attic or a daycare center. If you've enjoyed the way the first two films blend character drama with innovative action and humor, this cocktail hits its stride in the third film, which draws on everything we already know about the characters and then adds two new entire sets of toys to the plot. There's a new villain, two very amusing romance sub-plots and a litany of visual gags that push the envelope even further. I'm not allowed to go into any details but the second half of the film is a familiar set piece performed in a completely new way that will forever change your view of certain toys and day care centers.

Apart from a level of animation that sets the bar in the industry and an attention to detail that makes you wonder what most "real" films actually do in pre-production, the real genius of the third film is to provide a satisfying conclusion that gives every character a completed character arc. About 20 minutes before the end, I was wondering how they would do this since there were some fairly dark moments (similar to those in Wall-E and Up), but naturally they manage to pull it together. There's literally not a single wasted shot, let alone a wasted scene, and the pace quickens throughout to keep the tension mounting.

Overall, this is another Pixar classic that easily has enough for both kids and adults (and movie aficionados). It's not difficult to see why each of their movies takes five years to complete - yet despite the technical wizardry, the success of their movies is fundamentally routed in their stories, a fact which most other studios seem to forget these days. As to whether the stage is set for Toy Story 4, I suppose they could always pull it off given the creativity at work here, but I think there was a deliberate attempt to make this the last in the series.

"Toy Story" was about sibling rivalry. "Toy Story 2" was about loving others, even if it means you might get hurt someday.

So what is "Toy Story 3" about? It takes the whole "kids + loyal toys" theme to its natural conclusion, by showing us what happens when the kids grow up and leave. While the first two-thirds of the movie are fairly pedestrian (for a Pixar movie!), the last part is both action-packed and emotionally wrenching.

Ten years have passed, and Andy is now a college-bound teenager. His toys are anxious about what's going to happen, so Woody keeps assuring them that they'll be put safely in the attic. But a misunderstanding leads to a date with the garbage truck. Since the toys believe they have been abandoned, they jump into the box of donated toys bound for Sunnyside Daycare.

They're greeted by the genial Lots-o'-Hugging Bear (aka Lotso) and the friendly daycare toys, and all seems to be well. But Andy's toys soon discover that Sunnyside is a nighmare -- they've been assigned the "Caterpillar Room" for wild abusive toddlers, and Lotso is the Godfatheresque overlord of the daycare. Once Woody learns the true horrors of Sunnyside, he must infiltrate the daycare and somehow get his friends out.

You know that the movie industry is officially in a slump when the cleverest, funniest and most touching movie of the summer... is a CGI sequel about toys. "Toy Story 3" starts off rather lightweight at first, with the toys being brought into Sunnyside and Woody setting off in another direction.

But once Lotso is revealed as the villain, the movie takes a sharp turn -- it becomes a clever, complex "Great Escape"-style caper, with some moments of G-rated horror (THE MONKEY!) and hilarity (resetting Buzz ends up turning him into a flamenco-dancing suave Spaniard). And while the toys' attempted escape from Sunnyside is taut and genuinely thrilling, it's only the START of the climax -- a harrowing, genuinely scary chase scene that brings the toys together.

And there's a bittersweet core to "Toy Story 3": kids grow up, leave home and the people/toys they leave behind are both proud and sad. In the final scenes of the movie,we're quietly ushered through the emotional goodbyes and hellos of growing up.

And the adorable little cast of toys still remind us that what matters most is love and loyalty, particularly during a deadly crisis where they all fearfully join hands (it sounds sappy, but it isn't). There's also some endearing additions to the cast -- the foppish clotheshorse Ken, Big Baby, a Totoro, a giggly tricerotops, and the Shakespearean stuffed hedgehog Mr. Pricklepants.

Anyway, this blu-ray/DVD combo has a wealth of extras -- trailers teasers, theatrical shorts (oh look, Night and Day are scuffling!), "Cine-emplore," commentary, lots of making-ofs, behind the scenes stuff like "A Toy's Eye View: Creating A Whole New Land," a music video, and just lots of endearing odds and ends like Ken's dating tips. Er...

It hurts to say goodbye to Woody, Buzz and their friends, but "Toy Story 3" is a fitting farewell that brings the trilogy full circle. Best movie of the summer, hands down.

My ratings are based mainly on the QUALITY OF THE 3D, not the video content.

Not counting shallow effects, there are about 16 out of screen effects that extend 10% of the way, from the screen to the viewer, 1 effect at 15% and a few blurry rain drops at 20%.

The quality of the in screen 3D is good to very good but...

PIXAR DOES NOT WANT (or try to create) OOS EFFECTS.
Children may enjoy Pixar's in-screen 3D films, but if Pixar wants to ignore half of the 3D technology, they should only charge half as much.

*** Disappointing OOS 3D ***

MY 3D RATING = GOOD (poor, fair, good, very good, excellent)

Note: As far as the percentages go, everyone's eyes are different. What I see at 25% you may see at 15% or 35%. To fully realize how far something is out of the screen for you, pause on an effect and direct a partner with an extended finger to the tip of what you are seeing. You may be surprised.

Click on `See all my reviews' for the lowdown on other 3Ds

What amazes me is that PIXAR continues to keep the story, characters, and action fresh in a third installment of the story line.

How many sequels come close to the original? How many "part 3's" come close? Very few.

But this is great and my kids and I enjoyed it every bit as much as the first two. if you have children then this is a MUST buy. (assuming you've seen the first two).

I tried to convince my wife to be the one to take my kids to Toy Story 3. My youngest son, especially, was begging to go, but while I was impressed by the first two, a long ways back, and saw them as showcases for the increasingly sophisticated animation techniques at Pixar, I didn't really love either one of them as much as A Bug's Life or The Incredibles or Wall-E or Ratatouille. Perhaps it's just the devoted toy concept that didn't quite move me. I'm not quite sure why, but for whatever reason, I went into this unenthusiastic and only doing it for the kids.

As it turns out, I really liked it. As far as I'm concerned right now it's the best of the series - of course, now I'd actually be willing to go back and sit through the others and maybe find I liked them too. It's clever and inventive, with sight gags and visual puns that are underplayed, almost in passing. Its big, blockbuster animation, but the humor manages to be subtle, rather than in your face like so much popular animation these days. While, like the other films and like everything Pixar, it's not afraid to wear its heart on its sleeve it's never sappy, and the storytelling earns its sentimental payoff rather than wrenching it from you. I never felt manipulated. The look is nothing short of astonishing. The visuals are intricate and full of rich details, but it never feels busy or crowded. I'd like to see it again just so now I can pay more attention to the details now I know what's happening. The opening reminded me a bit of the surreal and (even more) hilarious stop motion toy fantasy A Town Called Panic (also highly recommended), but the rest fit nicely into the general pattern of the series without feeling like one of the generic and uninspiring sequels that are so common these days.

The basic story should be familiar: Woody and Buzz and their buddies are facing a new abandonment crisis. This time, it's because Andy is going to college, and they fear he will leave them behind in storage, or worse, throw them away. What is surprising is how fresh they manage to make it all feel. Nothing was predictable or generic, and I was sad to see it end. Perhaps best of all, though, was the amazing short film "Night and Day" with which it began. It's better not to say anything about that, since it's best just to see it unawares. Still it's a magical film, one of the most exciting and intriguing animated shorts I'd ever seen. A perfect beginning for an inventive and moving film. Not to be missed.

This third Toy Story was a winner. The story is a great continuation that spoke to my older son as he outgrows his once beloved Woody & Buzz and still fascinates my younger one.

This movie centers around Andy, all grown up, going away to college and having to clean out his bedroom. Should he donate his old toys? Throw them out? Or keep them in the attic for his children? Woody, Buzz and a few other toys that have survived over the years try one last time to get Andy to play with them. Their failure makes them think they are doomed for the trash pile and rather then suffer this horrible fate, they plot to get into the donate box. Woody insists that Andy intends for them to be stored in the attic but the others do not believe him.

Their arrival at Sunnyside playschool makes them think they've hit the jackpot but all is not as rosy as it seems. There is a dark undercurrent here, lead by a strawberry smelling stuffed bear. This brought cries of horror from my youngest along with lots of questions. Did that mean the toys we donated were being treated horribly too? Although it all ends well, this part stuck with my youngest. I sense trouble the next time I attempt to clean out his closet by donating toys he has outgrown. Thanks Disney.

This movie attempts to cater to all age groups. The parents will need a tissue as it pulls at the heartstrings. From start, by showing a home movie of Andy when he was young and flashing to present day at a teenage Andy gets ready for college, to finish as the mom looks around Andy's empty room. Her child is leaving home. It speaks to tweens who want to leave childish things behind but still have great affection for childhood toys. The appeal to young kids is as strong as ever as we follow the adventures of Woody and Buzz. It did contain another creepy baby to give some nightmares.

There were some mature references for a "G" rated movie. Ken being gay was referenced several times and they had him striking sexy poses. They had Buzz set to Spanish mode where he spoke Spanish for a minute or two. The scene was funny to me but the subtitles annoyed my youngest as he couldn't keep up.

This movie told a great tale of getting older for those kids who grew up with Woody and Buzz. Both my boys could not stop talking about it afterwards. I would skip the 3D version as nothing in the film warrants the use of 3D.

First let me say: Toy Story 3 is another Pixar masterpiece and the perfect way to close a franchise started in 1995. Randy Newman's "You've got a friend in me" warms the heart today as it first did 15 years ago.

Now with that out of the way let me call attention to the films lead-in...

Pixar continues another tradition here with is the animated short that precedes the feature (like Luxo Jr. where the Studio's logo comes from). Toy Story 3's short is called "Day & Night" and raises the bar for future Pixar shorts and will likely get many Academy nomination for it's efforts. I think the 3-D may work more effectively with the short than the sequel itself. "Day & Night" is more complicated a concept than you'd expect considering it involves two mute characters struggling to coexist. One character consists, literally of daytime images while his counterpart is made of night images. Although the two characters are little more than retro-cartoon silhouettes, they are filled with complex animated scenes within their own animation. They shift positions and move around one another creating some fascinating visuals for us. Equally simple is it's message for folks to overcome their fear of the differences in others and the unknown. Day & Night is simply the best short I've seen from Pixar to date


Now with that out of the way, Toy Story 3 reunites us with old friends: Woody, Buzz, Jesse, Hamm, Rex, Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head, each voiced by their original actors (except the late Jim Varney). Surprisingly, the Toys owner Andy, now grown up and ready to start college is still voiced by the same actor John Morris (who started at around 11 in the first film). It seems the concept of toys coming to life when people aren't look would become tired after 2 films, but I have to say that is not the case here. After a super opening sequence, an homage to Woody's opening adventure in the original film, the toys end up at Daycare run like a prison by a naughty Teddy Bear (voiced by Ned Beatty). Naturally the Toys want to escape; the break-out plan doesn't go quite as planned by makes for some funny tributes to the prison movie genre (including a harmonica playin' Hamm). More classic toys turn up like the old Fisher-Price rolling phone and cymbal-monkey as an ever watchful prison guard. Barbie's Ken even turns up voiced gloriously campy by Michael Keaton, definitely emerging as the film's breakout toy characterization. The visuals are more amazing than ever, the humans look so much better than the original, it may become difficult to watch those older sequences after seeing "3." Lot's of details sweep across the screen with everything from the Pizza Planet " Yo" truck, to all the texture of Ken's extensively stocked accessory collection (Groovy). But technical strides aside, on an emotional level the movie, like those before it, generate plenty of concern for the wellbeing of these CGI toys, again. I would go as far to say if you are not touched by the final moments of the film and Andy's goodbye, then you may want to get to a cardiologist and get yourself checked out!

In terms of the bluray quality, there is none better. The picture and sound are both reference material and are flawless. A great movie to test out a home theater. The movie itself is very good. Pixar did a wonderful job of keeping the main characters around but still adding in great new additions, especially with Ken. I was very worried about how they were going to finish the series off, but was shocked at how great of a job they did. I'd prefer not to mention any details of the story, given I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't seen the movie, so the only thing I can say is the movie makes sense. Andy has grown up and once again his toys are faced with challenges in how to accept changes in life. It has a great moral backing and offers tons of well placed humor. Overall the movie is fantastic. Most importantly the ending is perfect. Nothing was forced and everything ends how it should. Toy Story fans should most certainly add the third to their collection.

I remember when Toy Story was first released and I actually had stock in Pixar. Sadly I sold the stock but Pixar just keeps making fantastic movies. I admittedly went into Toy Story III with low expectations. It is the third film in a series which usually marks the demise. Nothing ever seems as good as the original. Somehow Pixar avoids the cliché's and has managed to produce a movie that adults will most likely enjoy as well as kids. Having three daughters of my own, one who is sixteen, I can relate wholeheartedly to the story.

Andy is seventeen and is on his way to college. He is making the transition to adulthood which means letting your childhood go. Along with his adolescence he is also saying goodbye to his toys. The opening scene is a marvelous fantasy depicting all the toys in a wonderfully scenario of good guys versus bad. Some of the toys being on the side of the law and some finding a darker route, but it is all in good fun. As the dream sequence wraps up, we find out it is really the toys who are desperately trying to get Andy to play with them, one final time before he packs them away in the attic or sends them off to the trash heap.

As seems to typically happen with Andy's toys, something goes amiss and they find their way to a daycare center, where they are subjected to severe beatings and destructive activity from toddlers. Anyone who has kids can relate to the age when they beat and chewed on anything within their grasp. The center is ran by a purple stuffed bear who had his heart broken after being forgotten one day on picnic outing. He is a bitter angry old bear and takes his frustration out on anyone and everyone in his path.

I loved them using the baby as the bruiser in the movie. Seeing this big plastic headed diaper wearing baby gooooing and ahhing while picking up toys a quarter his size and shoving them in a cage was too funny. I have to admit that Barbie and Ken stole the show in their scenes where they expressed their love, and in one sequence where Ken tried on some of his extensive wardrobe. Some of those clothes actually did bring back memories and I laughed out loud when Ken loudly expressed he was not a girl's toy. It seems even Ken has some gender issues.

My favorite part of the entire movie was watching Buzz Lightyear get switched into Spanish mode and listening to him spout off his love for Jesse while reading the subtitles. It wasn't just his verbiage but his salsa dancing as he swept Jesse off her feet doing what appeared to be a Tango. It was too funny for words but was followed up by many other things both subtle and not so subtle that kept you laughing. As only Pixar seems to be able to do, they told a story that was touching, funny, and all so relevant to real life.

In the end, Andy ventures off to college and leaves behind not only his toys but his parents, his house and his past. As all kids do, he ventured out to find himself and figure out his own life so hopefully he would way day be an adult with the rest of us. In one of the most touching moments I have seen in any animated film ever, he hands off his precious toys one by one to a neighborhood girl who will appreciate them and play with them as he no longer can. At his age he is moving on for his own good and letting go of the past for the happiness of the toys as well.

While the 3D affects are ok, the movie is not ground breaking in any visual way but the story is what has always held Pixar aloft of any competitors. They seem to have this knack for hitting a home run and with Toy Story III they have not let us down in any way. If you have kids then use them as an excuse to see the movie. They will enjoy it and most adults should really appreciate it as they will most likely be trying not to cry at the end.

Don't expect any huge actions scenes, or gun play, or violent undertones. Just expect a wholesome, clean, wonderful movie that will touch your heart and keep the kids entertained for a couple of hours.