Toy Story 3 ***** (2010, voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Ned Beatty, Michael Keaton, John Morris) – Classic Move Review 3290

My how time flies! It is 2010 and 11 years since Toy Story 2 (1999). John Morris, the boy who voiced Andy back then, is now 25, and in the film the kid is now 18 and going off to college.

His mom (Laurie Metcalf) tells him that he’s got to sort out his old toys before he leaves – either they are going with him, going in the attic, going to charity or going in the trash. Andy can’t bear to part with Woody, but Buzz, Jessie and the rest can be stowed in the loft. Then, horror of horrors, because of a mix-up, the toys are accidentally donated to the Sunnyside day-care centre, which proves to have a side that isn’t all that sunny.

Everybody loves Toy Story – that’s the beginning and end of the story. But, talking of story, they’ve found another really good new one to tell, with a delicious mix of wistfulness, melancholy, excitement, danger (unexpectedly dark and scary), laughs (of course), charm and, at the end, a surge of emotion and even a little tear.

The way the peril seems actually ‘real’ as the toys look fit for the flames of the garbage heap incinerator and the way the bad guy remains bad to the end put grit into the soul of a movie that could otherwise have too much heart.

Of course none of it would be right without Tom Hanks and Tim Allen as Woody and Buzz. But Ned Beatty’s pink, strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear is also a huge success. And Michael Keaton and Jodi Benson as the Ken and Barbie dolls kick up endless amounts of fun. Also scoring hits are Don Rickles and Estelle Harris’ Mr and Mrs Potato Head, Wallace Shawn’s dinosaur Rex and John Ratzenberger’s piggy-bank Hamm.

The movie is actually about something too. Along the way, it tackles the themes of change, coming-of-age, leaving the nest and outgrowing now unwanted toys in a surprisingly thoughtful, as well as poignant and delightful, way.

So, there you are: fun, thrills, laughs, a reliable story and something on its mind – that’s the magic of Toy Story 3.

Toy Story 4 is planned for 2018.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3290

Link to home page for more reviews derekwinnert.com