3 ½ stars
"Amigos! We're all amigos!" (Woody)
The highest grossing animated feature ever. One of the most anticipated films of 2010 summer. Frankly speaking, I don't understand all the love directed to the 'Toy Story' trilogy. Of course, I can understand that the initial film was the first feature-length computer-animated movie, that is why all the praise was well-deserved. However, there are several pictures that are really not to my liking, while the whole world is mad about them (like 'The Social Network' this year), and I include here 'Toy Story'. Not that I don't like it at all, I just don't share the global obsession with it.
Although two first movies were directed by John Lasseter, this time Lee Unkrich takes the helm as the director, and besides the old characters, he introduces new playthings to us. It is logical that someday Andy (John Morris) will grow up and go to college, and in his life, there won't be any room for his favorite toys. Eventually, this day comes, and he decides to move them to the attic but in the light of a horrible mistake, Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), and their friends come to be in the Sunnyside daycare, ruled by Lots-o'-Hugging Bear (Ned Beatty). Once again, the heroes have to meet difficulties on the way, to argue, and to iron out the differences of opinions. What appeals to me in every Pixar work is that they do input much deep meaning in every film for children, and friendship is the dominant theme and pillar of the entire franchise. Generally, every aspect of filmmaking is kept in stable equilibrium: the dialogs are well-written, the animation is masterful, and the deeds are heroic. 'Toy Story' also has a great villain, in whom many movies lack nowadays.
Even though I don't share completely the rapturous attitude towards the Toy Story phenomenon, I do agree that it's a great high quality picture about friendship, and I stake, it'll be the Best Animated Film of 2010.
Rating: 3 ½ stars (see what that means)
What did you think of the film? How would you rate it? Any other thoughts are more than welcome.
I'm inclined to agree with your rating here. While Toy Story 3 was a vast improvement over 2, it wasn't quite as good as 1 for me.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I did like the scene with the toys about to plunge into the huge incinerator. That was intense.
Oh yes, I agree, that scene was intense. But I knew that those aliens were going to save them :)
ReplyDeleteThe incinerator scene was my favorite and I was silently hoping that it would be the end of the movie, although I know Pixar would never that it would have been a powerful ending.
ReplyDeleteI love all the Toy Story movies, although I wasn't a kid when the first one came out they did show that you can tell stories with them that not only appeal to children. Pixar had the magic that Disney was slowly losing (although they seem to be working very hard to get them back).
I've included Toy Story 3 in my personal top 10 for the year.
I know that many people included it into their favorites, and it doesn't surprise me :) As for that incinerator scene I did hope Lotso to become a kind bear.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Pixar is one of the greatest studios in the world, and it creates magnificent and unbelievable masterpieces. I respect it and love its films, especially Wall-E and Up. But I have to disagree with you about Disney "magic". For me it's what we've seen since first short movies by Disney, and then his features like Snow White, and after his death Beauty & the Beast, The Lion King, and many, many others during his life and after he passed away. They are magical for me, and it is sad that people start losing interest in such pictures. On the other hand, Pixar is more like suggestive and thought-provoking but not magical. Anyway, I want to set it straight, I really love both these currents in animation.
By the way, I saw in my updates that you posted your "filmyear". For sure I'll stop by soon to have a better look at it. Happy New Year! :)
I loved this movie, but you know, I'm not being totally objective, because my brothers and I were fans of it when we were kids, so it has a lot of value for me. It touched us in a special way and I think that those who didn't grow up with Toy Story wouldn't feel the same.
ReplyDeleteI posted a longer review here: http://fictionworms.wordpress.com/movies/p-q-r-s-t/t/toy-story-3/
@Guadi, I quite understand that many people loved first movies as kids, but I haven't seen them when they were released. That's why I don't share the common love to Toy Story.
ReplyDelete