T O Y Story 3 (With Spoilers)
- Thread starter MooCriket
- Start date
MooCriket
Master Member
I tend to agree with most of what he said:
Capone declares TOY STORY 3 the best film of the year so far, the best 3-D he's ever seen, and the best of the TOY STORY movies!
Hey, everyone. Capone in Chicago here.
How is it possible that the folks at Pixar keep managing to surprise me? Did I expect to like TOY STORY 3? Well, yeah. What about Pixar or this franchise would lead you to believe anything else? I might have been a little concerned that the original film's director (and the second film's co-director) John Lasseter is only listed as one of three "story" men (the other two being Andrew Stanton and Toy Story 3 director Lee Unkrich); Michael Arndt, who won the screenwriting Oscar for LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, is credited with the screenplay.
But after about 10 minutes, I realized that this third installment in the adventures of Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head, Slinky Dog, Hamm, Rex and those weird little green rubber alien dudes was going to be the best one yet. Let's get the hyperbole out of the way right now. This is the best Toy Story movie, period. This is the best 3D experience I've ever had, period. And this is the best film of 2010 so far, arguably. And I pity those of you that don't have the ability to see TOY STORY 3 in IMAX, because the opening action sequence alone--which appears to take place in a Grand Canyon-like location--is worth the IMAX and 3D upcharges. And wait until you see the landfill dump section of the film. On the IMAX screen, you can almost smell it.
What the Pixar team has done is something I think they've been building to for a while, especially with their most recent efforts WALL-E and UP. It seems very clear they want to be taken seriously as an animation house and not just a place that produces films for children. There's no doubt that the now-15-year-old TOY STORY was a big hit with kids, but those kids and young adults are in their 20s and 30s (OK, some of us are older still) today. So, rather than repeat a proven formula (an illness known as sequel-itis), TOY STORY 3 is most definitely a film for an older crowd that has or is preparing to put away childish things, or at least pass them along to someone who can still appreciate them. This film deals with mortality, maturity, and never forgetting the friends (real and inanimate) who made us the person we are today. The stories you may have heard about tears, they are not lies. But you will cry not because of anything truly sad that happens on screen; the emotion comes from recognizing your own life in that of the 17-year-old Andy, heading off to college.
More than the other two TOY STORY films, this one's most unforgettable moments are not loaded with chases or danger or humor--although all three are in great supply. The scenes you will cherish are more haunting. One is the aforementioned landfill sequence. I won't give anything away, but there's a moment where all the toys are holding hands and not talking. It's as poignant a moment as Pixar has ever created, and combined with the looks on their faces as they hold hands, it's also an emotional high point of any film you'll see this year. The other one is more grounded in reality, and it's toward the end of the film. Andy spends much of the movie packing up his room, deciding what is going to get trashed, what gets stored in the attic, and what goes with him to college. At the end of the film, just before he drives off with his packed-up car, his mother (Laurie Metcalf is perfection) rushes up the stairs clearly in a frenzy trying to make sure her son hasn't forgotten anything. The second she steps in his room, she freezes and says looking at the empty space and says "Oh, Andy... " The flash flood of tears at this exact moment could drown small children. Just thinking of that scene chokes me up.
I know I haven't talked much about the main story, which involves the toys getting shipped off to a daycare facility to get played with by a whole group of children. The prospects excite most of the toys, but not Woody (still Tom Hanks; still great), who is still very much bonded to Andy. A mishap back home makes all the other toys think Andy was going to throw them away, but Woody knows different. Still, he fails to convince them to escape with him. When they meet an entire platoon of new, seemingly friendly toys at the daycare, Andy's toys (minus Woody, but including Tim Allen's Buzz Lightyear) decide they have found a new home.
If you ever need proof that the Pixar people have not lost an iota of their creativity, you need look no further than these new toys, including Lotso, the strawberry-smelling stuffed bear (Ned Beatty), a sticky octopus named Stretch (Whoopi Goldberg), a Ken doll (Michael Keaton), and a freakishly rendered baby doll named Big Baby, who has clearly seen action--the teardrop "tattoo" under its left eye tell us as much. Big Baby will haunt you when you sleep and when you're awake. Not that the old standard toys get the short shrift. I particularly liked Mr. Potato Head's surreal, body-less escape attempt from the daycare that is impossible to describe with any accuracy with words. Of the new characters, Ken will become an instant fan favorite. He lives in the dream house, complete with an elevator, disco, and the biggest closet any doll has a right to have. He's way into clothes and accessories, but he also falls madly in love with Barbie (Jodi Benson, the voice of THE LITTLE MERMAID's Ariel).
I heard a lot of people coming out of the screening I attended saying (but not complaining) that TOY STORY 3 was dark, even for adults. I don't quite agree. The film, its characters and its creators have matured. And the more the TOY STORY films resemble reality and address real emotions, the darker they might seem. To me, this isn't a bad sort of darkness at all; it's life. More than the first two films, this one is Woody's journey. In a really strong side story, after Woody leaves the daycare, he ends up at the home of one of the workers at the center who has a little girl named Bonnie. She reminded me a little bit of Boo in MONSTETS INC., but much sweeter. Bonnie's toys--including ones voiced by Bonnie Hunt, Jeff Garlin, animator Bud Luckey, and the irrepressible Timothy Dalton--love her with the same intensity that Woody feels for Andy. It's a warm and moving moment that sets Woody down an inevitable path.
TOY STORY 3 is exquisite to look upon as well, and the 3D is perfection. Other than a few deliberately gimmicky moments, the filmmakers don't abuse the the 3D. Instead, they use it to create some of the finest depth-of-field moments I've ever seen. Rather than calling attention to the technology, the Pixar people seem to want you to forget they're even using it, which is exactly what happens. But every so often, your eyes wander away from the action to some small detail in the background, and suddenly you realize just how good everything looks. I remember being stunned last year, when the first two TOY STORY movies were reissued in 3D, at how beautiful the animation was. In my memory, I remembered at least the first one being somewhat primitive, but I was wrong. But the new film--in both subtle and very obvious ways--puts the others to shame, even beyond the 3D.
The only question racing through my head this week is how soon can I see TOY STORY 3 again. This is the gold standard of filmmaking, and if the Academy has a tough time finding 10 films to fill up its Best Picture race, why not slot this one in twice for kicks. It's that good, but please don't take my word for it. And I'm begging you: if there's an IMAX screen playing this movie within 100 miles of you, it's worth the journey and the money. Alright, everybody else: you have your benchmark for the year. This is what you should be aiming for. Start jumping.
And by the way, prepare yourself for yet another dialogue-free and utterly original opening act to Toy Story 3 with the Pixar short DAY AND NIGHT, which is loaded with creative genius. And the hits keep on coming.
-- Capone
capone@aintitcool.com
Capone declares TOY STORY 3 the best film of the year so far, the best 3-D he's ever seen, and the best of the TOY STORY movies!
Hey, everyone. Capone in Chicago here.
How is it possible that the folks at Pixar keep managing to surprise me? Did I expect to like TOY STORY 3? Well, yeah. What about Pixar or this franchise would lead you to believe anything else? I might have been a little concerned that the original film's director (and the second film's co-director) John Lasseter is only listed as one of three "story" men (the other two being Andrew Stanton and Toy Story 3 director Lee Unkrich); Michael Arndt, who won the screenwriting Oscar for LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, is credited with the screenplay.
But after about 10 minutes, I realized that this third installment in the adventures of Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head, Slinky Dog, Hamm, Rex and those weird little green rubber alien dudes was going to be the best one yet. Let's get the hyperbole out of the way right now. This is the best Toy Story movie, period. This is the best 3D experience I've ever had, period. And this is the best film of 2010 so far, arguably. And I pity those of you that don't have the ability to see TOY STORY 3 in IMAX, because the opening action sequence alone--which appears to take place in a Grand Canyon-like location--is worth the IMAX and 3D upcharges. And wait until you see the landfill dump section of the film. On the IMAX screen, you can almost smell it.
What the Pixar team has done is something I think they've been building to for a while, especially with their most recent efforts WALL-E and UP. It seems very clear they want to be taken seriously as an animation house and not just a place that produces films for children. There's no doubt that the now-15-year-old TOY STORY was a big hit with kids, but those kids and young adults are in their 20s and 30s (OK, some of us are older still) today. So, rather than repeat a proven formula (an illness known as sequel-itis), TOY STORY 3 is most definitely a film for an older crowd that has or is preparing to put away childish things, or at least pass them along to someone who can still appreciate them. This film deals with mortality, maturity, and never forgetting the friends (real and inanimate) who made us the person we are today. The stories you may have heard about tears, they are not lies. But you will cry not because of anything truly sad that happens on screen; the emotion comes from recognizing your own life in that of the 17-year-old Andy, heading off to college.
More than the other two TOY STORY films, this one's most unforgettable moments are not loaded with chases or danger or humor--although all three are in great supply. The scenes you will cherish are more haunting. One is the aforementioned landfill sequence. I won't give anything away, but there's a moment where all the toys are holding hands and not talking. It's as poignant a moment as Pixar has ever created, and combined with the looks on their faces as they hold hands, it's also an emotional high point of any film you'll see this year. The other one is more grounded in reality, and it's toward the end of the film. Andy spends much of the movie packing up his room, deciding what is going to get trashed, what gets stored in the attic, and what goes with him to college. At the end of the film, just before he drives off with his packed-up car, his mother (Laurie Metcalf is perfection) rushes up the stairs clearly in a frenzy trying to make sure her son hasn't forgotten anything. The second she steps in his room, she freezes and says looking at the empty space and says "Oh, Andy... " The flash flood of tears at this exact moment could drown small children. Just thinking of that scene chokes me up.
I know I haven't talked much about the main story, which involves the toys getting shipped off to a daycare facility to get played with by a whole group of children. The prospects excite most of the toys, but not Woody (still Tom Hanks; still great), who is still very much bonded to Andy. A mishap back home makes all the other toys think Andy was going to throw them away, but Woody knows different. Still, he fails to convince them to escape with him. When they meet an entire platoon of new, seemingly friendly toys at the daycare, Andy's toys (minus Woody, but including Tim Allen's Buzz Lightyear) decide they have found a new home.
If you ever need proof that the Pixar people have not lost an iota of their creativity, you need look no further than these new toys, including Lotso, the strawberry-smelling stuffed bear (Ned Beatty), a sticky octopus named Stretch (Whoopi Goldberg), a Ken doll (Michael Keaton), and a freakishly rendered baby doll named Big Baby, who has clearly seen action--the teardrop "tattoo" under its left eye tell us as much. Big Baby will haunt you when you sleep and when you're awake. Not that the old standard toys get the short shrift. I particularly liked Mr. Potato Head's surreal, body-less escape attempt from the daycare that is impossible to describe with any accuracy with words. Of the new characters, Ken will become an instant fan favorite. He lives in the dream house, complete with an elevator, disco, and the biggest closet any doll has a right to have. He's way into clothes and accessories, but he also falls madly in love with Barbie (Jodi Benson, the voice of THE LITTLE MERMAID's Ariel).
I heard a lot of people coming out of the screening I attended saying (but not complaining) that TOY STORY 3 was dark, even for adults. I don't quite agree. The film, its characters and its creators have matured. And the more the TOY STORY films resemble reality and address real emotions, the darker they might seem. To me, this isn't a bad sort of darkness at all; it's life. More than the first two films, this one is Woody's journey. In a really strong side story, after Woody leaves the daycare, he ends up at the home of one of the workers at the center who has a little girl named Bonnie. She reminded me a little bit of Boo in MONSTETS INC., but much sweeter. Bonnie's toys--including ones voiced by Bonnie Hunt, Jeff Garlin, animator Bud Luckey, and the irrepressible Timothy Dalton--love her with the same intensity that Woody feels for Andy. It's a warm and moving moment that sets Woody down an inevitable path.
TOY STORY 3 is exquisite to look upon as well, and the 3D is perfection. Other than a few deliberately gimmicky moments, the filmmakers don't abuse the the 3D. Instead, they use it to create some of the finest depth-of-field moments I've ever seen. Rather than calling attention to the technology, the Pixar people seem to want you to forget they're even using it, which is exactly what happens. But every so often, your eyes wander away from the action to some small detail in the background, and suddenly you realize just how good everything looks. I remember being stunned last year, when the first two TOY STORY movies were reissued in 3D, at how beautiful the animation was. In my memory, I remembered at least the first one being somewhat primitive, but I was wrong. But the new film--in both subtle and very obvious ways--puts the others to shame, even beyond the 3D.
The only question racing through my head this week is how soon can I see TOY STORY 3 again. This is the gold standard of filmmaking, and if the Academy has a tough time finding 10 films to fill up its Best Picture race, why not slot this one in twice for kicks. It's that good, but please don't take my word for it. And I'm begging you: if there's an IMAX screen playing this movie within 100 miles of you, it's worth the journey and the money. Alright, everybody else: you have your benchmark for the year. This is what you should be aiming for. Start jumping.
And by the way, prepare yourself for yet another dialogue-free and utterly original opening act to Toy Story 3 with the Pixar short DAY AND NIGHT, which is loaded with creative genius. And the hits keep on coming.
-- Capone
capone@aintitcool.com
MooCriket
Master Member
99% on Rotten Tomatoes!
Toy Story 3 Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes
Toy Story 3 Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes
Macrossmaster
Well-Known Member
Saw it for my birthday today - amazing movie, best so far I agree.
As a heads up, which I will post elsewhere, the Disney Store has virtually screen accurate Woody and Buzz toys for $15 each this weekend only!
As a heads up, which I will post elsewhere, the Disney Store has virtually screen accurate Woody and Buzz toys for $15 each this weekend only!
cayman shen
Master Member
Can it be seen in 2D? 3D gives me a headache.
What amazes me most about Pixar is they are allowed to tell stories - not make commercials or over stuffed star vehicles. Disney leaves them alone and best they should. When Disney tried to step in on UP and tell them to change the lead characters to something more sellable (insisting people would not go see a story about a fat kid and an old man) Pixar told them to take a hike - sigh, if only more of us could get away with that.
When you put something like ST3 up against Princess and the Frog - or even the new Smurfs trailer, the suffering of committee storytelling is obvious. Lasseter follows the road paved by Hiyo Miyazaki who himself followed a trail left behind by Walt Disney. Why is it that the biggest movie in history (Avatar) can come to pass thanks to the story sensibilities of one man - in fact he lead two of the most successful movies in history -and yet the studios persist in ruining great products by the process they follow time and time again. Storytellers deliver, studio executives don't. I envy Pixar and salute every product they release (except for Incredibles - which I just didn't like) - TS3 is fantastic. I'll be seeing it again on father's day for the 3rd time. Yes - Jet Beetle approves this movie.
When you put something like ST3 up against Princess and the Frog - or even the new Smurfs trailer, the suffering of committee storytelling is obvious. Lasseter follows the road paved by Hiyo Miyazaki who himself followed a trail left behind by Walt Disney. Why is it that the biggest movie in history (Avatar) can come to pass thanks to the story sensibilities of one man - in fact he lead two of the most successful movies in history -and yet the studios persist in ruining great products by the process they follow time and time again. Storytellers deliver, studio executives don't. I envy Pixar and salute every product they release (except for Incredibles - which I just didn't like) - TS3 is fantastic. I'll be seeing it again on father's day for the 3rd time. Yes - Jet Beetle approves this movie.
Darklighter
Sr Member
I'm glad they "killed off" Bo Peep in the script during the first 10 min. Had she been around Woody would have had an obligation to save his love interest instead of focusing on the relationship between himself and Andy. Andy is all Woody has...(had) .......
Bo Peep....pft...good riddance.:cool
Bo Peep....pft...good riddance.:cool
outlander
Sr Member
:eek Say it isn't so, Jet! Didn't like The Incredibles?
Last edited:
Truly a WORTHY sequel. If you could compress the Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi into one film, that's the emotion and arc I felt from this film (minus the Ewoks of course). I'm SURPRISED this got a G rating. DEFINITELY PG, and well worth it.
Since we're talking spoilers...
I thought the 3D was well done, gave depth into the screen, not cheap gags flying out at you.
Lotso - great enemy foil. Gotta give Ned Beatty some credit for superb voice acting.
Nice that they got the same actor to voice Andy, as he did 15 years ago for the first film.
Nice brief cameo by "Boo" from Monsters, Inc. in the Daycare.
Nice cameo by the next door neighbor "Sid" from the first film - look at the shirt the garbage man is wearing! (he shows up twice, same shirt)
Pizza Planet "YO" Toyota truck is here.
LOVED Big Baby and Chuckles !
Loved how they played up the romantic angle between Buzz and Jessie, only hinted at in TS 2.
The Claw! The Claw!
Ken is NOT a girl's toy/accessory! :lol
Make sure you sit through the credits - the first half has the "continuing story" of our Toy friends
If you don't get misty-eyed in the last ten minutes of this film, you're simply not human. :cry
You never know, but it looks like this was their curtain call... probably no Toy Story 4.
Since we're talking spoilers...
I thought the 3D was well done, gave depth into the screen, not cheap gags flying out at you.
Lotso - great enemy foil. Gotta give Ned Beatty some credit for superb voice acting.
Nice that they got the same actor to voice Andy, as he did 15 years ago for the first film.
Nice brief cameo by "Boo" from Monsters, Inc. in the Daycare.
Nice cameo by the next door neighbor "Sid" from the first film - look at the shirt the garbage man is wearing! (he shows up twice, same shirt)
Pizza Planet "YO" Toyota truck is here.
LOVED Big Baby and Chuckles !
Loved how they played up the romantic angle between Buzz and Jessie, only hinted at in TS 2.
The Claw! The Claw!
Ken is NOT a girl's toy/accessory! :lol
Make sure you sit through the credits - the first half has the "continuing story" of our Toy friends
If you don't get misty-eyed in the last ten minutes of this film, you're simply not human. :cry
You never know, but it looks like this was their curtain call... probably no Toy Story 4.
Last edited:
Probably.
I just like my superhero movies live action, that's all. Most of the jokes in Incredibles I'd heard before and even the premise was very close to The Return of Captain Invincible" for me. All of Pixar's movies up to that point were all conceptually perfect for what Pixar does so well. The secret life of toys - the world of insects - monsters under the bed - the journey of a fish who wants to find his son - those feel like stories that can only be done justice by some type of animation. Superhero movies always worked better for me if they are done live action. Those films lost a lot of their magic, for me, by the introduction of computer effects. It used to be fun to see these movies and say "How did they do that?" One of the reasons I liked Rocketeer so much, the flying sequences (especially his first flight at the air show) was pretty amazing at the time. Superman the movie could never use the "you will believe a man can fly" tag line in this day and age and I will always miss that when it comes to those films.
Alan Cross
Sr Member
Yeah, I don't really know what you could do with a TOY STORY 4. This feels complete to me. I wish they'd make a sequel to The Incredibles someday. I wonder if Brad Bird would ever do it?
Macrossmaster
Well-Known Member
Loved the continuing Star Wars references....Big Baby with Lotso at the dumpster...like ROTJ! 
(spoilers)
Completely breathtaking! Amazing movie - blew my mind and is easily the best movie of the year in my mind.
Some real tear-jerking moments!
Emotionally, the two scenes that had my tear glands swell up was the landfill 'holding hands' moment, and the end where Andy plays with the toys one last time.
I was a little surprised that Lotso ended up being the villian - I expected it as such, but he was much more dark than the prospector. I was hoping he would be redeemed in the end (heck, they market dolls of him for kids!) but alas, he was pretty rotten.
The colors and tetures of the film were truly amazing and all of the core characters had thier moment to shine.
I found it totally appropriate that many of the characters from the previous movies were absent (RC, Bo-Peep, Etch, etc...) it only makes sense that at least some of those toys would have been sold or thrown out over the years. The fact that Andy still has his toy chest with some of the 'core' characters still intact is amazing all in itself.
I was kind of expecting Woody to reveal his sentience to Andy at the climax - like he did to Sid in the first movie - which proved that the toys CAN be alive in the presence of humans....but the movie ended SO well, such a touching end! The closing shot was on real clouds, similar to the clouds on Andy's walpaper at the beginning of the first movie.
I loved the opening sequence that was a throwback to the beginning of the first movie - only 'real action' instead of playtime.
All in all, I can't wait to see it again and already itching for the Blu-ray!!!
Completely breathtaking! Amazing movie - blew my mind and is easily the best movie of the year in my mind.
Some real tear-jerking moments!
Emotionally, the two scenes that had my tear glands swell up was the landfill 'holding hands' moment, and the end where Andy plays with the toys one last time.
I was a little surprised that Lotso ended up being the villian - I expected it as such, but he was much more dark than the prospector. I was hoping he would be redeemed in the end (heck, they market dolls of him for kids!) but alas, he was pretty rotten.
The colors and tetures of the film were truly amazing and all of the core characters had thier moment to shine.
I found it totally appropriate that many of the characters from the previous movies were absent (RC, Bo-Peep, Etch, etc...) it only makes sense that at least some of those toys would have been sold or thrown out over the years. The fact that Andy still has his toy chest with some of the 'core' characters still intact is amazing all in itself.
I was kind of expecting Woody to reveal his sentience to Andy at the climax - like he did to Sid in the first movie - which proved that the toys CAN be alive in the presence of humans....but the movie ended SO well, such a touching end! The closing shot was on real clouds, similar to the clouds on Andy's walpaper at the beginning of the first movie.
I loved the opening sequence that was a throwback to the beginning of the first movie - only 'real action' instead of playtime.
All in all, I can't wait to see it again and already itching for the Blu-ray!!!
C0mmand3rC0dy
Sr Member
I personally loved it, and was surprised here and there. IS it just me or did anybody else think the pig's flying ship was awesome, Id go for a replica of that!
Similar threads
