Fifteen years after the original film made history, Tim Allen and Tom Hanks reprise their roles as Buzz Lightyear and Woody the Cowboy in the highly anticipated Toy Story 3. Bonnie Hunt, Ned Beatty, Michael Keaton, and Woopi Goldberg are a few of the many new voices added to the already star-studded cast, bringing more fun and excitement to the ageless tale.
Andy is headed off to college and the toys are rightfully worried about their fate. Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, Slinky Dog, Rex, and the rest of the gang team up in an attempt to get some much-needed playtime. Discouraged by a mix-up that finds them in a garbage bag on the street corner, the toys take mattes into their own hands and donate themselves to Sunnyside Daycare. The toys want nothing more then to be played with, and Sunnyside seems to be the best place - or so they think. They soon come to realize that there is both a right and wrong way to play with toys; at Sunnyside, they get stuck in the "˜wrong' room.
At the daycare we are introduced to a batch of new toys: Lotso, big baby and Barbie's soul mate Ken. These seasoned residents of Sunnyside seem welcoming in the beginning, but the new arrivals soon realize there is a sinister side to the big magenta bear that smells like strawberries. He runs the daycare with an iron fist, ordering toys to do his bidding and using intimidation to get his way. When he locks up the new arrivals for fear of an escape, it is up to Woody to derive a plan and get them all back to Andy before it is too late.
I am still not sold on the 3-D technology, especially for movies geared towards a younger audience. I was pleased that the animators did not take the low road and use the 3-D to propel objects at the audience, but I didn't find the extra dimension entirely necessary either. When I looked around the theater I saw numerous children not wearing the 3-D glasses. With the original Toy Story being the first fully computer animated film, I feel Pixar didn't want to lag behind with the 3-D concept. Unfortunately Toy Story 3 is just the latest addition to a long list of 3-D movies. There really isn't anything groundbreaking about it.
I was a bit disappointed that the time elapsed and Andy's age didn't quite match up, but I'll let it slide. The story wouldn't have worked as well if Andy were 21, heading to a bar rather than an institute of higher learning. As was the case with the first two films, this movie left me thinking of the fate of my own toys as I grow older. The story is funny but still manages to evoke emotion. Kids will be engaged and many adults who have grown alongside Andy will relate to his growing responsibilities.
Keep seated until the credits finish, there are a couple of additional scenes that don't add to the story but are cute nonetheless. Toy Story 3 was a satisfying continuation of the story, and the best kids movie so far this year. If there is any question when venturing out to a family-friendly movie, skip Marmaduke and Shrek and join Woody and Buzz on their latest adventure.
