As expected of Pixar; not only an excellent animated film, but also one of the greatest sequels ever.

Rating: 8/10 (17 June 2010)

After many successive years with critical acclaim ("Ratatouille", "WALL- E", "Up"), animation powerhouse Pixar returns to its roots - good ol' family entertainment, after an eleven-year gap since the last "Toy Story" film. Being a kid when the first one came out I absolutely adored it and enjoyed the second one as well. Between then and now I grew up and watching the two original movies again I started paying attention to the themes and messages that the films were trying to convey, and both films were rich with them, as well as heart. Now, fresh from the cinema, I have seen the third film.
"Toy Story 3", is, as expected from Pixar, not only an excellent film AND the best animated film of the year, but also one of the best sequels ever made. Seriously.
Why? Well, apart from the great characterization and chemistry between the characters, terrific voice acting, stunning animation and eye- popping visual effects; this film has a big, beating heart, and strong believability to go along with it.
I watched the first two films. I watched these two repeatedly as the years pass. I not only liked the characters, I related to them. I felt joy, pain and sadness towards them. Knowing that this film is the last film in the "Toy Story" franchise made me curious and even sadder. But just because it's the second sequel in the franchise doesn't mean it won't measure up to the first. This film did measure up to the first, mainly in the emotional range. It's hard not to shed a tear when the powerful and emotionally wrenching third act pops up; you know that we've grown up, it's time to move on and say goodbye to our beloved toys that we've all come to love; once and for all. That's not to say that the film is entirely solemn. The film is almost crammed with hilarious jokes in many parts of the film (Spanish Buzz was hilarious and had the entire audience howling with laughter). The screenplay is fantastically written, weaving together the hilarious moments and tender heartwarming moments, while not leaving out the emotional intensity of the film. This is where the film's magic works it's charm on the audience.
Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, John Ratzenberger, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn and Estelle Harris reprise their roles with ease and believability with Blake Clark doing a good job standing in for the late Jim Varney as Slinky. The new-coming actors to the franchise are also good, with veterans like Ned Beatty, Michael Keaton, Bonnie Hunt, Whoopi Goldberg and (surprise) ex-007 Timothy Dalton providing voices to some very interesting supporting characters. Randy Newman's score is, as usual, lively and upbeat as ever, and Lee Unkrich (standing in for original director John Lasseter), directs the film with a touch of class and charm.
Pixar shows no signs of slowing down and this film certainly continues this winning streak of theirs. If you are a fan, a father, a kid at heart, or just anybody, really; see this film. It will make you laugh, and it may make you cry. But most important of all, it will make you feel like a kid again while reminding you that; it's time to go on.
Despite very few flaws including the sad removal of certain characters that will tick off some fans, "Toy Story 3" is ultimately an emotional and ultimately more-than-satisfying conclusion to one of the greatest film trilogies of all time. Woody, Buzz and other characters, thank you for all the laughter and lessons you have taught me and other kids back in the years. Goodbye, and enjoy your places as some of the greatest animated characters ever.
Overall rating: 9/10 (Excellent)