After seeing Shrek 4, I wondered if the Toy Story franchise would meet with the same, anti-climatic demise.

Nope.

The whole family went, so we opted to save the collective $12 and see the 2D version. There were a few points in the film where the 3D might have been cool, but for the most part the 2D seemed sufficient.

I imagine the graphics were stunning, but to be honest, I didn't really notice, with the exception of the very last scene. (It was a perfect bookend for the trilogy.) I imagine I'll look at the blu-ray with an artistic eye, but today was just to see the film.

Lotzo, the bear, seemed similiar in villiany (and come uppance) to Stinky Pete from the second, but had his own suitcase full of issues, along with the incredibly creepy Baby. Spanish Buzz was hysterical, and Ken & Barbie certainly had some comic charm.

This is a hero's journey for Woody in the most classic sense. He ventures from heaven and hell to save his friends and fulfill his own destiny.

I think by now most folks no longer make the mistake that these Pixar movies are just for kids. This is story telling at its very finest, as it tackles the universal themes of death and parting with style, character, humor and heart.

Like "Up", this is far above and beyond anything else out there. Well worth seeing.

Best movie of the year so far and by far.

Caught it with the family on Friday. At my inexpensive local theater and two of the free ticket vouchers I got from buying the Toy Story blu-rays recently, it cost me all of 75 cents for 5 people. The box office people treated the vouchers as $8.50 coupons instead of "one free ticket up to $8.50." Hey, it was management approved.

Anyway, I completely agree that the Pixar team knows how to craft an excellent story, even on a third outing of a story. The actions were still well in-line for the characters. Each movement made sense in context. The opening video sequence with the theme song from the first movie was genius. Ken and Barbie were downright hilarious. Lotso was well constructed as a villain with issues along with the appropriate over-the-topness one expects from this sort of tale. Man, that baby is creepy, isn't she? Awesome comic value in Spanish Buzz. The point near the end in the junkyard had the theater dead silent as we wondered what the heck Pixar was thinking and waited with baited breath to see what could possibly happen next. And the ending was just perfect.

They can go ahead and sit with James Cameron as people who know how to craft a worthwhile sequel to something you doubt could even garner a sequel.

To quote McKee (pg.290, specifically) "We use our act structure to start a base of tension, then rise scene by sequence to the Climax of Act 1. As we enter Act 2, we compose scenes that reduce this tension, switching to comedy, romance, a counterpointing mood that lowers the Act 1 intensity so the audience can catch its breath and reach for more energy. We coach the audience like a long distance runner who, rather than loping at a constant pace, speeds, slows, then speeds again, creating cycles that allow him to reach the limits of his reserves. After slowing pace, we build the progressions of the following act until we top the previous Climax in intensity and meaning. Act by act, we tighten and release tension until the final climax empties out the audience, leaving it emotionally exhausted, but fullfilled."

Toy Story 3 illustrates this principal beautifully. It feels like that, a literal emotional rollercoaster flying through extremes, both external/physical (the dump) and internal/emotional (Woody, Andy and the arrival at Bonnie's house), with the emotional having the most impact. This is balanced out with the Barbie/Ken romantic subplot and the insanely funny Spanish Buzz.

Even the credit outtakes are critical to lessen the impact of the final scene. At first, it may seem that the Climax, the last obstacle to be faced down is the trash inferno, which even the only action they can do (joint hands and face the threat together) is an element that saves them, or at least, makes it possible for them to be saved. At this point, Lotso is defeated and the toys are in the same position that they were in the beginning-Woody going to college, the toys going to the attic.


This is where it is brilliant-Woody, having completed his character arc from Toy Story 1, realizes that he needs his friends more than he needs to "be there" for Andy, which, up to this point, was the driving force of his motivation through out the series. Instead, he's know able to see the bigger picture, which is to make a child happy. This enables Woody to make the Heroic choice that no one, including Andy, sees coming. Woody's descision causes not only a change in him, but a change in Andy (which is excellently "acted")- as he also, through Woody, gains insight into the higher purpose and brings about the irreversible change.

As an artistic note, I also loved the contrast of the toys approaching Sunnyside daycare vs. the arrival of Lotso. Physically, the same location, but first presented as Happy and Sunny with the rainbow on the door compared to dark, stormy and ominous when Lotso shows up. Huge difference in presentation, used to great effect here.

Good stuff.

I absolutely loved this movie! Poor Lotso never changed his ways. I guess he got what he deserved. He had the opportunity to change, but he blew it.

Sandra

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. I absolutely loved this movie! Poor Lotso never changed his ways. I guess he got what he deserved. He had the opportunity to change, but he blew it. Sandra

This was a critical scene, which accomplishes several things.

1. It gives both Woody and Buzz another chance to be heroic, as the risk their skins to save one who, by Woody's later statement, is not worth it.

2. More importantly, it gives the antagonist (Lotso) control over the fate of the toys in the melting room. His action (Or inaction, as it were) directly caused the Crisis in the inferno-It's not coincidence or fate, but a result of the antagonist-Naughty, naughty bear.

I didn't care for Lotso's ending- To similiar to Stinky Pete in TS2 (He's carted away with Barbie in a little girls backpack). Rather, a strawberry scented bear would more likely attract rodents, in which Lotso could have been disemboweled by a hoard of rats. [Actually, Disney used this theme in Lady and the Tramp]  

Quoted from Blakkwolfe I didn't care for Lotso's ending- To similiar to Stinky Pete in TS2 (He's carted away with Barbie in a little girls backpack). Rather, a strawberry scented bear would more likely attract rodents, in which Lotso could have been disemboweled by a hoard of rats. [Actually, Disney used this theme in Lady and the Tramp]

When I think of how I felt when the Garbage Man picks up Lotso and is happy at his find, I thought, well, at least someone can appreciate him now and does Lotso feel a moment of, "Everything's gonna be OK?" Until... They kept a humorous tone with him being stuck to the grill. I think that was the point. To serve justice, but keep it light.

Sandra

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. They kept a humorous tone with him being stuck to the grill. I think that was the point. To serve justice, but keep it light.

I'd agree. Raticular devourment might be too heavy for the young 'uns.

Also, just for info, read that Lotso was originally developed for a Christmas short, which later evolved into the original Toy Story...

Maybe it was just me, but this movie really stressed me out haha! It was a great time and I love how Andy and me are in synch with our life time lines, so the ending hit close to home even though I think my toys were kicked to the curb a lot earlier nor did we share that epic of a child-toy bond. I feel like this movie would have freaked me out as a kid, it gets pretty intense, I'm talking these toys are facing melting to death, pretty heavy stuff!

Amazing third movie. I'm putting the Toy Story trilogy up there with the Star Wars trilogy (original) Even better!

Can't wait for my DVD Toy Story trilogy box set, bring it on

Best animated movie ever! I felt like a big kid watch this and loved every minute of it. I didn't think the 3D was up to much. In fact, the new Shrek had much better 3D effects, this came across like one of those post production conversions like Clash of the Titans. Can't fault the story, though. Powerful stuff and some insanely funny moments.