This weekend, I finally managed to wrangle my kids–and a few of their friends — to see Toy Story 3. Now before you read any further, I must first disclose a major bias: In my mind, Pixar’s John Lasseter can do little wrong. I walked in wanting to like it.
And loved it.
Toy Story 3 opens with little Andy all grown up and packing for college, while Woody and Buzz Lightyear and the gang, now relegated to a toy chest of old playthings, contemplate their possible fate including retirement up in the attic, or a visit to the trash heap. The more ideal option — and of course the richer option as far as plot twists and humor potential are concerned — is a stay at a daycare facility with other donated toys.
I’ve heard mixed reviews of the film; one friend told me she thought the overall premise, a showdown between the good and bad toys at daycare was too dark. Another told me they didn’t like the portrayal of young children as rough on their toys.
Me, I thought it was all just awesome.
The humor works on so many levels, as does most great children’s entertainment. My five year-old enjoys the general gist of the story, my three year-old stays entertained by the funny characters and the visual gags, and I can get the vague metrosexual references to the Ken doll, hilariously voiced by Michael Keaton. And the animation is so rich, so perfect, you nearly forget you’re watching a cartoon.
What really makes Toy Story 3 a classic though, are the profound emotional connections we make with the toys. Less because they’re playthings that we have nostalgia for as adults, and more because their feelings for “their Andy” mirrors the ones we have for our own kids. As he prepares to go off on his own, they find true satisfaction in the adult he’s become, even while experiencing conflict at being less needed thesmelves. In the end, they are faithful friends who find joy in being there for him, even if he can’t be there for him.
If that doesn’t bring some great big sobbing moments throughout the film that you tell your kids “are just allergies,” then I don’t know what will. –Liz
Find Toy Story 3 in theaters now. It’s worth it for the 3-D glasses, and for the screening of Day & Night, which is so going to be up for best animated short this year.
And when your kid simply HAS to have a Jessie doll or the Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Cuffs, find them all from Mattel.
I have been waiting for hear a review from someone! Do you think a 2 yr old could sit thru it? I have the free tickets from buying the dvd’s so I guess it wouldn’t matter even if he didn’t since it won’t cost me anything!
Completely agree. We left our 2.5yo at home so we didn’t have to make excuses for our tears. We were on a parents vacation and hadn’t seen our little girl for 7 days. That’s my adult excuse for sobbing like a baby at the ending! Also thought the daycare slant was hilarious! Everyone knows Toddlers are Terrors on toys. We did opt for non-3D (we pay for contacts so we don’t have to wear glasses) and definitely didn’t feel like we missed anything. Also, agree that Night and Day short was fabulous. How do they pack so many lessons into a few minutes and no words. Animators are amazing storytellers!
So glad to hear someone else was sobbing! It was almost embarrassing! I did take my 3 yr old and 5 year old. My little one was a scared several times. I reviewed it too from the stand point of helping kids to donate toys at: https://www.theposhspace.com/blog/?p=711. Even though I wanted Andy to donate the toys, in the end I was heartbroken. Great post!
Angela
We took our 2.5 yr old to this movie for his first theater experience and we all loved it! My son opted to sit on one of our laps and had a couple of scared moments, but he watched the whole thing and walked out saying, “that’s my favorite movie!” The storyline was wonderful and I couldn’t stop my own tears from flowing, esp at the end. I can’t wait to see it again. We also didn’t think we missed anything by seeing it non-3D. I enjoyed your review!
So glad to hear someone else was sobbing! It was almost embarrassing! I did take my 3 yr old and 5 year old. My little one was a scared several times. I reviewed it too from the stand point of helping kids to donate toys at: https://www.theposhspace.com/blog/?p=711. Even though I wanted Andy to donate the toys, in the end I was heartbroken. Great post!
Angela
We took my two and four year old sons to the non-3d version and they LOVED it and sat through the whole movie. Of course they’d seen Toy Story 1 & 2 before, so they already loved the characters.