Seriously, who doesn't love Toy Story?!

Rating: 8/10 (1 February 2011)

Quite possibly the most anticipated film in almost a decade and a half, the third instalment of the Toy Story franchise seemed like the ultimate money-grabbing operation in the eyes of cynics: here's a film that not only has basic appeal to pre-tweens all over the world, but one which has been released at a time in which those of us who grew up with the first two films have not lost contact with the story or the characters, and are more than keen to find out what happens to our beloved toys. I, however, had complete faith that Pixar would turn out a quality filmas they always do, really.
All our favourite faces return for Toy Story 3, including Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Hamm, the Potato Heads and a whole host of personal favourites. As Andy prepares to leave for college, he delivers his now-forgotten toys to the local day care centre. What looks like a place of luxury from the outset is actually run with an iron fist by the tyrannical Lots-O-Huggin' Bear, and the toys are determined to escape and make their way back home.
A lot of the superficial appeal of Toy Story 3 comes from the allusions made to real life. Every situation the toys find themselves in, in both a sentimental and adventurous context, can be in some way related back to moments we face on a regular basis in our own lives, and it is a significant element in ensuring that each audience member, regardless of age, makes some sort of personal connection to this film.
One of the strongest suites of this film is the characterisation. While we are already extremely familiar with the original gang of toys, the necessary induction of new characters feels fresh, rather than forced. Each new character has their own persona and plays their part in the story. Barbie, Ken and a very special little girl named Bonnie are all in some way integral to the multi-layered plot, but it is Lotso (as he prefers to be known) who makes his presence felt as one of Disney-Pixar's most blatantly evil villains to date.
More so than any other character, it is Lotso who transcends the barrier that may have otherwise prevented my generation from truly enjoying this film. At times, he plays the role of a somewhat generic villain with only mildly despicable plans, and at others he makes you wonder whether or not this film is entirely suitable for children. His involvement in one particular scene leads to the most powerful moment of the trilogy, and gives Pixar the opportunity to show us how closely connected we really are to these computer-generated images.
I like to review films the way Rusty Ryan likes to play poker. That is, leave emotion at the door at all times. I will make an exception for Toy Story 3, though. With an ending that is saddening, heart-warming and utterly appropriate all at the same time, I regret to inform anyone that wasn't in some way affected by the final scene that they have no soul. With the immensely successful Up, Pixar proved that no one does raw emotion the way they do, and that ability to tug on the heartstrings is just as evident in Toy Story 3.
Many people will walk out of the cinema at the end of this film and find that they have a new all-time favourite. While this film didn't quite hit the mark of an instant classic in my opinion, those behind its release must be commended on an excellent conclusion to the trilogy, and I say that because such a complete ending leaves no scope, nor any reason, for this saga to be returned to. The millions snared at the box office will be handy enough, but films like this are proof that a heart still pulses through the body of the film industry.
*There's nothing I love more than a bit of feedback, good or bad. So drop me a line on jnatsis@iprimus.com.au and let me know what you thought of my review.*