Toy Story 3

Synopsis:
Woody (Tom Hanks, voice), Buzz (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack) and the usual suspects return in a coming of age tale. When Andy (John Morris) packs up his belongings and leaves for college, the toys are mistakenly donated to Sunnyside Daycare Centre, instead of being stored safely in the attic, leaving them distraught at the possibility of being 'unwanted'. Despite Woody's best efforts to convince them otherwise, the gang remain at Sunnyside only to be imprisoned by the sinister and bitter, Lotso (Ned Beatty) – ringmaster of the centre. Woody must now not only rescue his friends from destruction but also reinvigorate the notion of loyalty and friendship.

Review:
The auditorium starts to fill with children of all ages accompanied by parents of visibly varying levels of enthusiasm, gaggles of school-holiday exploiters, couples in their mid-twenties and even parents without their children. As the lights dim, a general hubbub of excitement bubbles up as an advert for Drayton Manor Theme Park flies onto the screen. If you were to go around and ask every audience member how they were feeling, you could be guaranteed a resoundingly similar response. This was nothing, though, compared to the sparkling beauty that is the Disney advertisement – just look at it, and dream. Some fortunate enough could even call upon memories. Much like the plot of Toy Story 3, this build-up reminds us adults of a happier time, whilst the children are intoxicated.

Ever since 1995 when Pixar released the first instalment, the animation superpower has dealt out kettle drums full of nostalgia. They also fixed upon the finest comedic balance – stupid stunts and faces for the children, mixed with adult gags to keep the parents interested. This model was proven all too easy to get wrong. But, where Pixar's finest franchise differs is that it could have run solely on nostalgia and the remembrance of childhood.

Here, the characters are undoubtedly the finest exponent of memories. We remember the complexity of their relationships and the passages of their lives, their character traits and their antagonisms. It is wholly comforting to see their faces in a familiar bedroom setting albeit undergoing a radical change, much like they themselves. We remember them as they, in turn, deliver an homage to the companions they have lost along the way, serving to completely reassure us that if we were toys, they would be our friends. The story hits upon the unavoidable chapters in life and manages to evoke the very real emotions we, as humans, attach to them. This film is not just a fantastical extension of real life, but an accurate portrayal of growing up. They continue to show the true virtue of this by tackling new environments, making the best decisions, questioning their priorities and strengthening loyalties. The narrative, in effect, is a lesson to us all.

Please do not think that the fun is gone. Far from it. On their biggest journey, we meet new characters such as Mr Pricklepants (Timothy Dalton) the Thespian hedgehog and Ken (Michael Keaton) who both provide stereotypical humour. Perhaps the funniest though is Chuckles (Bud Luckey), a tormented clown with a dark past who allows for a certifiably hearty laugh at his appearance. As usual there are comic capers, chases, overweight dogs, dastardly plans and downright stupidity only Toy Story could officiate without dull repetition. There is sheer excitement throughout and you would have to be made of lichen not to be on the edge of your seat for the adrenaline-fuelled finale.

A review would not be complete without a comment on it's animation. It is simply beautiful, but what is more, it does not appear to have changed in the saga's last 15 years, bringing further sentimental value.

As with all summer blockbusters, this was to be delivered its full share of hype and, given it's release date, it could be seen as the mental antidote to Inception. The screenplay by Michael Arndt is touching, neither hysterical nor complicated. But this is fine, this is what suited Woody's last hoorah and the audiences' last taste of the intrepid adventurers we call friends.

The question now is, how do Pixar fill the emptiness left behind?

Sam Chapman

Verdict:
An immaculate send-off for Woody and co. Remember, you've still got a friend in Pixar.