Written by: Michael Arndt
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger
Rating: [5/5]
When operating in an area of such greatness, every new addition to any series of films comes with a heavier burden. They have to advance the story while also justifying its existence and it’s hard to imagine any other feature stepping up to the task the way Toy Story 3 did. A truly perfect conclusion both narratively and thematically to a story carrying so much meaning to many that it almost feels like a miracle that it exists.
Now on the verge of going off to college and not having played with his toys for a while now, Andy must decide whether he will throw out or store his beloved playthings. Now a lean crew, Woody (Tom Hanks) and the rest of the gang end up at a daycare named Sunnyside, which could serve as their new permanent home although the cowboy wants to convince them to return to their aging owner.
The Toy Story films have taken audience members through such an emotional journey going back to 1995 to the point where many, like myself, have grown up with these toys as foundational figures of our entertainment experience. Those who have grown up with the release of these films have essentially gone on this journey with Andy as we love our toys but eventually grow up and no longer play with them as we get older. We then have the decision to either completely throw them away, keep them around in storage, or donate them. A grown adult can only have so many toys in their possession before they receive strange looks from those around them. This feature excels in showing not only the perspective of the toys but also Andy as he reaches this stage in his life where he must make this monumental decision for these toys. Never has he had this level of screentime and those pensive and emotional moments for him truly leave their mark.
At this stage for the toys, one thing becomes evident, they need to decide what they want their next phase of existence to be now that playing with Andy no longer serves as a viable option for them. As displayed in the previous films, these toys crave being played with. It serves as the reason to exist, which makes it heartbreaking when the opening scene in the present shows the lengths they go to just to get in the eyeline of Andy, only to be forgotten. The film begins right away with heartache and it does not let its foot off the pedal.
With their journey to this new daycare, it sets up the idea of a place that exists as a utopia for a toy and a smart narrative decision to take the journey of these characters. Their greatest hope when staying with Andy is eventually he has a kid of his own who will play with them. Staying at a daycare shows they can have kids who can play with them and when they age out a fresh new batch of kids come in with the same zeal. Truly the perfect situation, but movies need conflict and this feature decides to bring plenty of it and it works immaculately.
Entering the story as the villain, Lotso (Ned Beatty) a stuffed bear comes into this operating with his trauma of abandonment which he then lays upon everyone else. He quickly turns the potential of a utopia for this daycare into the reality of some sacrificial pawns being necessary for those at the top to have an easier life. Something quite impactful when thinking about it on a larger scale but still shows a lack of fairness even a small child can understand when watching this feature. Lotso works as a great villain and one worthy of anchoring this movie and pushing our beloved toys in the direction they need to receive some closure.
With all of the heaviness imbued in this feature, it never loses its roots in having hilarious bits and scenes that will make any audience member laugh. Essentially everything Don Rickles says as Mr. Potato Head lands perfectly as he has done in the previous two films. The same can be said about Rex (Wallace Shawn) and his never-ending nervousness. Each of these characters gets their moment to shine in what we believed would be their final outing reminding us why they were the final remaining toys in Andy’s room. Buzz, in particular, has moments in this feature where he absolutely shines, especially when he begins to speak in a different language. Something incredibly unexpected and takes the cake when it comes to the humor this feature weaves in masterfully amidst all of the heavy emotion it has to offer.
Seeing its release 15 years after the first feature, Pixar has had plenty of time to perfect its digital animation and it shows as this feature looks immaculate. Lotso, specifically, looks fantastic in this feature in all of the details of his fur. It demonstrates the beautiful attention to all of the small things in this film as it gets it all right in bringing these characters to life. You see this with the burn that remains on Woody’s face going back to what transpired with Sid in the first film.
With quite a tall order to fill, Toy Story 3 more than delivers on what it sought to accomplish. It neatly wraps a bow on every narrative and thematic thread still loose out there and does the all-important task of providing closure. Sure, that will come at the cost of crying for the final 20 minutes of the film, but we see how things rightfully conclude not only for these toys but also for the boy they have loved for so many years, Andy. The way this feature ends could not be more pitch-perfect much like the rest of the film. With all of the heartfelt emotion it will elicit it will not fail to make audience members laugh and in small moments jump in fear that comes along unexpectedly. Truly one of the greatest films made not just in animation but filmmaking as a whole. A complete and utter triumph.
Films with Josh 
