In their third feature film, Woody, Buzz and friends reach to infinity and beyond

Rating: 9/10 (20 June 2010)

Pixar has done it again. Eleven years have passed since the first sequel to their 1995 classic hit theaters, but the Toy Story franchise has lost none of its magic or charm. In preparation for the third installment, I got cozy on my couch, popped the first two movies into the DVD player and found myself fully immersed once again in the world Woody, Buzz and their friends inhabit, the world that represents a distinct part in the childhood years of an entire generation. With top-notch animation (at least for that time), clever dialogue, stories that mixed humor, action and emotion and nuanced, likable characters, it's obvious why Toy Story became the beloved icon it is, transforming Pixar from a fledgling company into the most trusted, reliable studio in Hollywood in less than a decade. As a result, Toy Story 3 had big shoes to fill and any skepticism in the months and years preceding its release are certainly understandable, yet any doubts can now be thrown out the window: the film has met, and for some even surpassed, expectations.
With a few exceptions (old friends like Bo Peep and Etch are missing this time around), the entire gang's back and after an engrossing opener that smartly hearkens back to an early scene in the first movie, it feels as though they've never left. In addition to the original cast, we're gradually introduced to a range of new characters: the insanely squishable Lots-o-Hugs Bear, voiced with sinister zest by Ned Beatty; Michael Keaton's Ken; a Lederhosen-attired hedgehog hilariously named Mr. Pricklepants; a more-than-slightly demented Baby; and other colorful individuals. While these new creatures are not quite as lovable as our old friends (in fact, many are downright menacing), they are still memorable and as fleshed-out as any live-action characters, and per usual, Pixar displays remarkable talent when it comes to voice-casting. Though there are many names that moviegoers will recognize, it is clear that all the actors were chosen because of how well they fit the role, not as a way of boosting the film's prestige - not that Pixar needs any of that.
After features like Wall-E and Up, Pixar has shown a lot of fortitude in its effort to turn its films, and animated flicks in general, into something that adults can see without needing a kid in tow as an excuse. In fact, one could argue that its recent movies are ones for grown-ups that kids can nevertheless enjoy, rather than the other way around, and the third Toy Story does little to buck this trend. Though younger children will no doubt delight in the bright visuals and the jokes scattered throughout, this latest installment is largely empty of the verbal puns and quips that characterized its predecessors, focusing less on humor and more on the dramatic elements of the story. Tackling themes of loss, sacrifice and even death, Toy Story 3 is surprisingly dark. Sunnyside Day Care, the place the toys are donated to now that Andy is headed toward college, turns into a prison with Lotso as its oppressive, totalitarian warden, and one of the daycare residents - a prototypical monkey with cymbals - manages to be the creepiest chimp in recent cinema. Though this is not necessarily a flaw, it does result in an overall tone that differs greatly from Toy Story 1 and 2.
Of course, you can't write a review of a Pixar film without mentioning the impeccable animation. The attention to detail is astounding, and though I was initially dubious, their decision to have Toy Story 3 in both 3D and IMAX pays off tremendously. Though the film will probably be successful regardless of the screen, only with one as big as an IMAX can you fully appreciate how truly incredible the visuals, which fill every inch of the screen with color and subtle touches, are. Even the "Day and Night" short that preceded the main feature was jaw-dropping. What's more, though Pixar has always been a master of animation, the progress that they've made within the past fifteen years is astounding.
Over the past decade and a half, John Lasseter and co. have become known simply as "those geniuses at Pixar". Though it is arguable whether or not their record is actually as spotless as many suggest (I personally didn't care for either A Bug's Life or Monster's Inc.), it is impossible to dispute their achievements. With gorgeous animation, sharp writing, flawless voice-casting and a cast of unforgettable characters, Toy Story 3 marks another high point in the studio's short but significant resume. Pixar has earned another gold star, and after a sluggish start that sent critics and studios into full-crisis mode, this summer has its first true hit.