One of the Best Animated Films Ever

Rating: 10/10 (9 December 2010)

With the final release of the third installment in the TOY STORY series, Pixar has officially created one of the best movie trilogies ever. The franchise is one of the few that got consecutively better with each movie released. It's got all the fun of the previous films but the third has a bit of a darker turn as the toys are faced with the realization that they're no longer needed in Andy's life. Andy's all grown up and he's getting ready to leave for college. Woody has been selected to travel with him but the others are being relegated to the attic. An accident finds the toys at the curb for trash collection so they escape and climb into a box for donation at the local daycare. The idea of endless days filled with playtime is appealing and the toys at the daycare welcome them with open arms but things are not all what they seem. Andy's toys are left in the toddler room where they're ravaged by the kids and they soon discover the place is run like a prison by a lovable bear known as Lotso (short for Lots'o'Huggin Bear) and it's up to Woody to help his friends break out.
This film has a darker edge than the previous two, and the villainous Lotso (voiced by Ned Beatty) seems especially evil. He comes across as a loving grandfather figure but he rules the daycare with an iron fist and a handful of minions, the funniest of which is Ken. Voiced by Michael Keaton, Ken is hilarious and a major scene-stealer as he has a hard time figuring why his love for fashion and pink dream-house make him a "girl's toy". Lotso and Ken are just two of the new additions to the film, with a load of other new characters. There is plenty to love about this new film and the characters are just one element.
The film is still a children's movie but it's geared even more towards adults than the first two. There are definitely more adult themes and tense moments than before, but nothing too frightening for little ones. It's everything you love about TOY STORY with an even better story and dozens more characters. The best in the series, easily.