Toy Story 3

Release Date: Jun 18, 2010 

Runtime: 1 hr. 49 min. 

Director: Lee Unkrich 

Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty, Don Rickles.

It only took 11 years and 7 films to come full circle and complete possibly one of the best trilogies ever. And this is quite an achievement coming from an animated feature film. Pixar has always gone above and beyond to tell a story, but it takes a great amount of talent to tell it better each time. Woody and the gang are all back in the latest, and conceivably last, adventure in “Toy Story 3.” The question we’ve all been asking, of what lies ‘beyond infinite,’ is answered in the form of every toy’s nightmare: daycare. With the inevitability of Andy getting older, the toys struggle between deciding their fate and the undeniable bond that they share. There are plenty of heavy underlying themes in the third installment that the first two only touched upon, making it much more somber than is usually expected. From the opening scene to the last, there is never a moment where you don’t feel emotionally connected to the scenario which represents such a strong link to childhood. The film taps into this relationship so naturally that you almost forget that you’re sympathizing with a toy. Fortunately, the wittiness is still present, with a whole new assortment of characters to love. Ken, voiced by Michael Keaton, is by far the standout addition, with his impeccable style and complex of being a ‘girl toy.’ That’s the great thing about a Pixar film; it has the ability to tell a joke that’s applicable rather than forcing an idea for the sake of being funny. Not surprisingly, the animation is stellar and doesn’t require the extra 3-D—skip the glasses—which, if anything, dull down the quality. With an almost unprecedented reign as the most highly rated trilogy yet, it’s another easy win for Pixar. Stick around for the gag reel at the end for an extra dose of laughter. 

Rating: 4½ stars