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TOY STORY 3
The Great Escape

Director
Lee Unkrich

Starring
Tom Hanks
Tim Allen
Joan Cusack
Ned Beatty

I'm going to be hated for this review. After flat-out naming Inception the greatest film of the year (if not one of the best made in my lifetime) before feeling the need to pen a two thousand word gushing review, I am about to give Toy Story 3 a less than perfect score

...

That was a literary dramatic pause; take your time. The plot of the latest Pixar release brings us back to the characters first brought to our cinema screens some fifteen years ago and focuses largely on issues of maturity, growing up and moving on. This is most definitely a close to the Toy Story franchise and an absolutely delightful family film. After a surprisingly phenomenal opening sequence (homaging the first film), we are reminded that Andy is now grown up and heading off to university. Various familiar faces have disappeared over the years to sales and donations and only Woody [Hanks], Buzz [Allen], Jessie [Cusack], Bullseye, Slinky [Blake Clark], Rex [Wallace Shawn], Hamm [John Ratzenberger], Mr. + Mrs. Potato Head [Don Rickles / Estelle Harris] and those.. green.. alien things remain. After a brief spat of confusion over what has been designated for storage in the attic and what has been set aside to be thrown away, all the remaining toys end up in the donations box on their way to Sunnyside playgroup. Woody initially describes it as a terrible place for toys without owners. Upon arrival they meet with a warm and welcoming community made up of hundreds of toys, run by a strawberry-smelling bear named Lotso [Beatty]. Feeling an undying sense of loyalty, Woody leaves the others and heads back to Andy. Once Woody has left, the others discover that Lotso rules the playgroup with an iron fist, forcing the new toys to serve in the 'rainbow room' - a designated area for toddlers to literally thrash around and be toddlers. Woody learns of this from another group of (extremely well-loved) toys and insists he must return to save his friends.

As far as a sequel goes, this is one of the best rounding-offs a trilogy could ask for; featuring an original story line, building on past jokes (without simply regurgitating them) and introducing plenty of new characters and elements furthering the whole experience. Staying true to the original animated look and style, the only thing that has really changed - in terms of utilisation of a decade's advances in computer technology - is the sheer scope and scale of the surrounding world and the immense amount of detail that populates every shot. As always, the voice acting is hilarious, complimenting every frame of flawless CGI animation; particular praise has to be heaped onto an almost unrecognisable Michael Keaton but I'll get back to that a little later.

If there are any flaws to speak of, I would say they were more to do with the actual storyline more than anything else. I realise this is going to irritate a great many who will sing its praises but I genuinely feel that audiences will recall the emotional aspects - and there are a great many, expertly executed - over the actual story arc. On one hand I want to state that the whole film essentially boils down to a rescue mission topped with a heart-wrenching finale but on the other hand I would happily proclaim it one last fantastic and wondrous journey for a well-loved group of characters. That and the film is simply not as good as the original Toy Story - sorry, I don't want to hear it, almost no sequel surpasses its predecessor. This does not mean it is in any way a bad film, I simply cannot rate it higher than the first. Simple logic really. Incidentally, all these detrimental claims that the latest outing is darker and inappropriate for children are simply ridiculous. The first Toy Story was much 'darker' than this and although filmed with children in mind it was almost certainly never considered a 'kids' movie. If anything I would say this release is going to entertain children (as every single Pixar release has) whilst simultaneously offering something entirely different for adults: a series of nostalgic feelings given weight and presence on-screen, that tug at the heart strings with such vigour, bringing us straight back to those golden moments of childhood (yours or someone else's, doesn't matter) before leaving you choked up, teary and overcome with guilt for all the discarded playthings of your past.

As I left the cinema (having not cried -- I'm neither proud nor ashamed of it, I simply didn't cry) I felt like I had missed something. As if I'd stepped out to the khazi at some crucial point, failing to grasp what made this film worthy of the perfect marks that everyone else has bestowed upon it. So, there I was, walking away from the cinema, talking about the moments I enjoyed and the luscious animation and the almost forgettable (in a good way) 3D effects that didn't overwhelm or impair the storytelling but there was still something in the back of my head, a sinister voice (much like my own, only more sinister) whispering, "You're going to give this film an eight out of ten and everyone is going to hate you." I genuinely feel this film is no better than Toy Story, if anything, I would say it's on a par with Toy Story 2. Having said that, the very fact that they rounded off the entire thing as a decent and well put together trilogy (something completely unheard of these days) is an incredibly important contributory factor and as such, I have no choice but to bump this film up from an eight, to a well-earned nine.

Release Date:
23rd July 2010

The Scene To Look Out For:
**Big stinky spoilers**
After Lotso has left the toys to suffer the fate of the incinerator at the dump, the panicking slowly dies down as each character locks hands and quietly braces themselves for the end, together. It's an absolutely gut-wrenching moment that will shatter audiences (and if that doesn't do it, the last four-five minutes will completely push you over the edge). The visuals are superb, the music works perfectly and the uncertain outcome ensures for one of the most lasting and memorable mature moments of this entire film.

Notable Characters:
Ever wonder where Andy's dad is? We're introduced to the family shortly after Molly was born .. but no dad. Hmm . . . Anyway, Ken is awesome. Yes, Michael Keaton plays the voice of the slightly effeminate Ken doll with his luxury mansion and many accessories. If anyone is destined to be remembered in this film as the best new entry, it's him. Oh! And Totoro! Yeah! Brilliant Miyazaki nod! I only wish he had spoken in Japanese - that would have been superb.

Highlighted Quote:
"Your real problem's the monkey. The monkey's the eye in the sky. He sees everything, classrooms, hallways, even the playground. You can unlock doors, sneak past guards, climb the wall but if you don't take out the monkey you ain't going nowhere. You want to get out of here? Get rid of that monkey!"

In A Few Words:
"A thoroughly enjoyable affair and one of the best and most rewarding closing chapters to any trilogy or film series filmed to date"

Total Score:
9/10


Matthew Stogdon