TOY STORY 3

Toy Story 3 sees a grown up Andy (John Morris) off to college; his collection of toys (or what remains of them!) will not be going with him - except for faithful pal Woody (Tom Hanks). Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jesse (Jane Cusack), Rex (Wallace Shawn), Hamm (John Ratzenberger), and the rest are headed for storage in the attic – never to be played with by Andy again.

However the toys bleak predicament gets worse and they soon find themselves (along with Woody) abandoned at the local day care centre, Sunnyside; which is anything but sunny.

Tyrant Teddy Bear Lotso(Ned Beatty), runs Sunnyside with an iron fist and a crew of likeminded toys which includes the terrifying ‘Big Baby’ and a very fashion conscious Ken (Michael Keaton) of Ken and Barbie fame. If that wasn’t enough the tiny tots at Sunnyside prove to be wild untamed savages when it comes to ‘quiet’ playtime. There is only one thing left for the toys to do, escape!

There are genuine thrills to be had as the gang stage a Dirty Dozen style escape from Sunnyside only to wind up in an even grimmer predicament – imminent incineration! I can’t say much without spoiling it but this ends up being one of the film’s most moving moments; which also wonderfully pays off one of the longest running gags of the series.

Like the previous two, Toy Story 3 packs in plenty of laughs, made even funnier because we know these characters so well. Buzz Lightyear receives a Latin makeover, Mr Potato (Don Rickles) head proves that he may just be the world’s best secret agent and newcomer Ken’s extended fashion montage will have you laughing out loud.

But Toy Story has always been about Woody’s steadfast loyalty to his owner Andy and it is Woody’s reluctance to let go of Andy (and vice versa) that gives Toy Story 3 its heart. In the last 20 minutes Toy Story 3 really goes for the emotional jugular and I’d be very surprised if anyone isn’t an emotional wreck as we say a final bittersweet farewell to these characters and their story – I know I certainly was!

I LOVED this movie. I was 14 when the original Toy Story premiered in 1995, to think that 15 years later it and its sequel (even better than original) remain 2 of the best movies I’ve ever seen is quite an achievement. That the third could be just as fresh, funny and moving is astounding. Pixar have made some amazing “kids” movies, Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo, Wall-E, Up, the list goes on, but the Toy Story trilogy is their masterpiece, with Toy Story 3 the crowning achievement.

5 of 5 Stars