Toy Story 3: As good as it gets

Rating: 10/10 (15 July 2010)

With Pixar delivering one masterpiece after another, you get your hopes high. I dare saying Toy Story 3 might be the most anticipated western animation movie of all time. Usually this kind of anticipation comes at the price of disappointment. So what about this movie? The Incredibles is probably my favorite Pixar movie. Mostly because i love the characters so much. For me Ratatouille was the best so far. It just captured that magical Disney feeling so well. Wall-E and Up were excellent, but the first half of these movies was so strong, the end just didn't make that much of an impact and was a little lost in the shadow. So where does Toy Story 3 fit in? Toy Story 3 just set another bar for perfection. There is simply not one thing to hate or even dislike about this movie. At the beginning it was obvious we're not just watching another animation movie, but a 200 million dollar Pixar heavy weight champ. The highly impressive action captures the audience immediately and the movie never lets it slip. I couldn't find a few minutes where the movie got boring, if only a little.
What i like the most about Pixar movies is deeper meaning and sense they always make. The story around the kid letting go its Toys was quite amazing. It's hard to explain what it really is, but its mostly very convincing. I might dare saying it's because the acting is actually very very good. And second, because the story makes a lot of sense. From the kid getting too old for its toys, to the little kids violating the toys and to the point where they end in the trashcan.
Now we all know Pixar movies are about the best looking possible. So how does Toy Story 3 hold up? To be honest, it got even better than I thought. The perspective of the toys in the huge world is better looking than ever. Combined with the lighting and setting it creates an astonishing ambiance. The adventure at the Sunny Day Care was at its darker moment almost creepy.
So what about the fun factor? The movie is hilarious! From the common subtle Pixar humor to the point your laughing you ass of with Ken's facial expressions or Buzz Lightyear's Spanish mode. There is hardly a lack of humor in this movie and its executed so well. I never becomes too obvious, simple and cheap like in every Shrek or Dreamworks movie. Its very well thought of.
And my favorite part of the movie was the thing I disliked the most about Wall-E and Up. Again with the bar set so high in the first half of the movie, I was worried for the second half. But it got even better! The moment the dolls embrace their fierce end and they hold hands, my body went stiff. I couldn't believe how convincing and intense the feeling of that scene was. Normally I only experience this level of emotion with Japanese Anime. But Toy Story 3 has proved that its not just a mere western animation movie that's entertaining, good looking, fun, extremely detailed, makes a lot of sense, but it can compete with the Japanese intense level of emotion.
I don't think I'll let The Incredibles go as my favorite Pixar movie, but there's no denying this is by far the best thing Pixar ever created. I can only look forward to what they come up with next.