3 out of 3 ain't bad

Rating: 10/10 (20 July 2010)

Generally speaking, I am not a big fan of sequels. Even some of the best and funniest franchises usually generate huge disappointments with their sequels. Perhaps it is because the Toy Story folks did not feel compelled to rush right back out with their sequels, but for whatever the reason, they have avoided the dreaded sequel curse that has plagued such classic originals as "Naked Gun", "Airplane", "Nutty Professor" and "Shrek" - all great originals that fell flat with their sequels.
Toy Story III incorporates enough of the familiar and time-tested characteristics that we all expect from Woody, Buzz, Potato Head, etc., without becoming repetitive and predictable. To quibble, there may have been a moment or two when it lapsed into all too familiar territory, but the movie more than overcomes that minor shortcoming with the same excellence we have come to expect. My only hope is that they know to quit when they are ahead and not churn out Toy Story's IV and V with substitute voices and 2nd rate stories. They have defied the odds with a 2nd top notch sequel, so I hope they don't get greedy - but this is Hollywood...