It’s been more than 1o years since Toy Story 2 came out and 15 years since the first Toy Story was first shown in theaters. I actually didn’t think they were making a third one until previews and news started coming out early last year. Imagine, for a fan, waiting for a year for the next movie. Torture!
But Toy Story fans do not need to wait any longer because it’s finally here!
WARNING! Spoilers ahead.
It started out with a bang, Woody on a rescue mission with Buzz, Jessie and Bull’s Eye. And then it shifted to Andy in his room, reenacting the scene. And then it became a home video and we realize it’s an old video and that Andy is no longer a kid. He’s about to go to college and he needs to figure out what to do with his toys. He packs them up but they get mistakenly donated to a day care center. Now the toys must find a way to get back to Andy.
Just like the first two Toy Story movies, there was never a dull moment in the movie. I felt it lasted longer than 109 mins. They introduced a lot of characters here including Lotso, Ken, Baby and a lot others. One of the funniest moments in the movie was Ken, emerging from his dream house to introduce himself and noticing Barbie for the first time. Ken was, I must say, very well-developed. They instilled insecurities (“I’m not a girl’s toy!”) and weaknesses, especially with clothes (“No one appreciates clothes here like I do.”) Well done, you guys.
Now, when I heard Andy was going to college in Toy Story 3, I was a little worried about the story. I didn’t know how they would play with it. And then they introduced the day care center and Bonnie. Then it became clear, it was a movie about moving on and new beginnings. And the toys were given a chance to begin and lead a new life.
Toy Story 3 had so many funny moments. Even if someone didn’t like how the story progressed, the funny moments were enough to keep them in their seats. The opening scene with Woody’s rescue mission was reminiscent of the ones before but is more familiar now. And the forces of Woody and Buzz in the Wild West against One-Eyed Bart, One-Eyed Betty and MISTER Dr. Evil Porkchop was classic. And the special appearance of Spanish Buzz was unexpected but hilarious!
It was heartwarming, touching and a perfect ending to a great trilogy. I read a Lee Unkrich (director of Toy Story 3) interview and he said this is the absolute last Toy Story movie. And I’m glad because it will definitely lose its appeal if they drag out the story too much. Oh, I will miss Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Mr. & Mrs. Potatohead, Rex and the rest of the toys. It was such a great adventure knowing all of you.
But don’t worry fans, in the same Lee Unkrich interview, he also said this will not be the last we’ll see of them. He’s planning, along with the team at Disney Pixar, to develop shorts featuring the toys of Toy Story. Something to definitely look forward to!
Toy Story is now out in theaters.
