BrockTalk

Leave it to Pixar to make me eat my words. After seeing Dreamworks How to Train Your Dragon I was convinced that this would finally be the year that Pixar lost in the Best Animated Film category at the Academy Awards, knowing that Pixar's entry this year would include a number 3 in the title. While my initial assumption was correct in saying that Toy Story 3 wouldn't feel as fresh as How to Train Your Dragon, Pixar has created a movie so well crafted in story and character that if Toy Story 3's name is read when the envelope is openened come the big night I won't be surprised in the least.

The central theme of the Toy Story films has always been the toys' need to be played with and loved by their owners, and Toy Story 3 is no different. This time, however, Andy, the owner of Woody, Buzz, and the other familiar toys has grown up and is headed to college. He is tasked by his mother to clean up his room before he leaves and has to decide what to keep, donate, or throw away. As you have no doubt seen in the trailers, a mix-up occurs and our toys all end up getting sent to a daycare center. Upon arriving at the daycare center the majority of the toys decide to accept their fate, and are satisfied with the fact that they will still be played with. Loyal to Andy to the end as always is Woody, who refuses to give up and find his way back home. As Woody begins his adventure back home the other toys stay, but soon find out that the daycare center is a prison of terror under control of a jaded toy named Lotso-Huggins Bear leaving Woody to come to the resuce. Comedy, adventure, and emotion all follow in true Toy Story fashion.

In many ways Toy Story 3 is very similar to its' predecessors in terms of plot devices, but what this does is really allow the story of the toys to come full circle, bringing closure to the series that started it all for Pixar. What makes Pixar's films stand out from other animated films, is their ability to treat the audience like adults while still appealing to the kids. They do this by focusing first on a solid foundation of story and character allowing them to create emotional connections to their characters and their worlds. In addition to a beautifully shot, touching, and emotional scene towards the end of the film, the opening and closing scenes are absolutely brilliant. I can think of no other animated movie that has ever left me a tad bit watery-eyed,  which proves my point on Pixar's ability to create emotional connections. Toy Story 3 is every bit as good as the first two films in the series, and while maybe a tad dark for very young kids in parts, will leave older kids and adults completely satisfied. Bravo Pixar, bravo.