“How long will it last, Woody? Do you really think Andy is going to take you to college? Or on his honeymoon? Andy's growing up, and there's nothing you can do about it.” - The Prospector, Toy Story 2
It's been over a week since I first saw 'Toy Story 3', but only now I've seen it again do I feel ready to write about it. I've known for a long time that this film would hold special significance for me. 'Toy Story' has been my favourite film for 15 years; from the first time I ever saw it in a theatre with my dad in 1995, right up to the present day where I have just graduated university. Unlike 'Toy Story 2', 'Toy Story 3' takes a courageous step by moving forward in real time from the last film to the week that toy-owner Andy is leaving for college. The time only suggested in 'Toy Story 2' is finally approached and dealt with by Pixar in this film, and it is done so with the honesty and humour audiences can rely on from the best film studio in the world. The surprise for many is that Pixar also deal with the horror and heartbreak surrounding such a watershed moment in life, before delivering an ending that is already famous for making audiences of all ages openly weap.
I don't wish to summarise the plot of this film or the trilogy – if you've not seen a 'Toy Story' film just go do so already – but I will say it is guaranteed to surprise you at least once. Screenwriter Michael Arndt, ('Little Miss Sunshine', 2006) deftly juggles the large cast of familiar characters while first-time solo director Lee Unkrich (co-director of 'Toy Story 2', 1999 and 'Finding Nemo', 2003) paints his story with a collage of moods and colours. Their only failing, which was also a problem in 'Toy Story 2', is Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), a character who is simply “used” by his writer to fulfil whatever narrative requirements appear. He blocks characters, he uncovers secrets and provides comic relief to the otherwise bleak final act – but has no story of his own. For Hamm (John Ratzenberger) or Rex (Wallace Shawn) this is understandable as they are side-characters, but Buzz has always been the supporting lead, and he deserves better. I feel this problem occurs due to Buzz's original symbolism and allegorical role in 'Toy Story', which is resolved as the central plot. With Buzz's delusions gone; so is his audience appeal, so he finds himself replaced and reset in each sequel respectively. Woody (Tom Hanks) however has a great leading role here, displaying more maturity than ever before after strong film-to-film character development. His journey leads to a moment of deep personal understanding before, ultimately, that famous final scene.
I will continue to think about this film and this trilogy for the rest of my life. Rarely does a third film in a series succeed so thoroughly, both as a continuation and an ending. 'Toy Story 3' traverses the many foreseen pitfalls and mistakes it could have made and arrives at a moment of cinema that will rightly be remembered for generations. A classic.
*****
(UK Release 19 July 2010)
It's been over a week since I first saw 'Toy Story 3', but only now I've seen it again do I feel ready to write about it. I've known for a long time that this film would hold special significance for me. 'Toy Story' has been my favourite film for 15 years; from the first time I ever saw it in a theatre with my dad in 1995, right up to the present day where I have just graduated university. Unlike 'Toy Story 2', 'Toy Story 3' takes a courageous step by moving forward in real time from the last film to the week that toy-owner Andy is leaving for college. The time only suggested in 'Toy Story 2' is finally approached and dealt with by Pixar in this film, and it is done so with the honesty and humour audiences can rely on from the best film studio in the world. The surprise for many is that Pixar also deal with the horror and heartbreak surrounding such a watershed moment in life, before delivering an ending that is already famous for making audiences of all ages openly weap.
I don't wish to summarise the plot of this film or the trilogy – if you've not seen a 'Toy Story' film just go do so already – but I will say it is guaranteed to surprise you at least once. Screenwriter Michael Arndt, ('Little Miss Sunshine', 2006) deftly juggles the large cast of familiar characters while first-time solo director Lee Unkrich (co-director of 'Toy Story 2', 1999 and 'Finding Nemo', 2003) paints his story with a collage of moods and colours. Their only failing, which was also a problem in 'Toy Story 2', is Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), a character who is simply “used” by his writer to fulfil whatever narrative requirements appear. He blocks characters, he uncovers secrets and provides comic relief to the otherwise bleak final act – but has no story of his own. For Hamm (John Ratzenberger) or Rex (Wallace Shawn) this is understandable as they are side-characters, but Buzz has always been the supporting lead, and he deserves better. I feel this problem occurs due to Buzz's original symbolism and allegorical role in 'Toy Story', which is resolved as the central plot. With Buzz's delusions gone; so is his audience appeal, so he finds himself replaced and reset in each sequel respectively. Woody (Tom Hanks) however has a great leading role here, displaying more maturity than ever before after strong film-to-film character development. His journey leads to a moment of deep personal understanding before, ultimately, that famous final scene.
I will continue to think about this film and this trilogy for the rest of my life. Rarely does a third film in a series succeed so thoroughly, both as a continuation and an ending. 'Toy Story 3' traverses the many foreseen pitfalls and mistakes it could have made and arrives at a moment of cinema that will rightly be remembered for generations. A classic.
*****
(UK Release 19 July 2010)
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