A perfect example of how to end a trilogy

Rating: 10/10 (5 December 2010)

In the movie business, especially with animation, sequels are often made as a cheap cash-in targeted at fans of the original. However, there are some sequels and trilogies that try to surpass themselves with each installment. Toy Story 3 is no exception. Pixar deserves a standing ovation for the superb work they did for the 3rd film in the Toy Story franchise. It's a film that I honestly think was targeted at the people who grew up with the first 2 Toy Story films, as it exhibits excellent continuity from the previous installments (Like Woody's stitching from TS2 and Buzz's lack of a sticker from TS1), and the re-release of both original films. However that doesn't mean it can't be enjoyed by current generations.
Now onto the plot. Andy is moving to college and has to clean out his room, either throwing stuff away, putting stuff in the attic, donating them or taking stuff with him to college. He intends to put the toys in the attic, except Woody, who he wants to take with him, but the toys end up at Sunnyside Daycare, run by Lotso Huggin Bear. At first he seems like a nice character, but soon reveals his true colors as Sunnyside begins to resemble a prison to the toys, when they request to be in the room with the caring children rather than get roughed up by the apparently younger tykes. It even has a security system run by the ever popular cymbal banging monkey. The rest you'll have to see for yourself instead of reading a description. This summary doesn't do the film justice.
The film contains a combination of comedy, drama, action, and some genuine tear-jerking moments, especially near the end. It features a cast that's semi-well known, including several who've been in the previous movies (Tim Allen and Tom Hanks, to name a couple) and some fresh new faces, or voices, I should say. In Pixar tradition, you have to watch the film a couple of times to get the full effect and catch everything in the background.
All in all, Pixar has once again brought us a movie that does not disappoint, as sequels normally tend to do. It serves as a fitting end to the franchise, that is if a 4th one isn't in the works, but even if it isn't, this ties up all the loose ends. This is one movie I cannot say enough good things about, and I saw the 2-D version! I highly recommend this flick not just to children, but older teens and parents who grew up with the first Toy Story movies. I look forward to what Pixar has up their proverbial sleeves in the near future, as they have given me faith that they can do sequels right unlike their parent company (Yeah, I went there).
10 out of 10