Toy Story 3

Deep Roots!

By ROBERT WALDMAN

Almost a decade ago a little known company called Pixar started doing animation.  Today this firm is at the top of the field and continues their winning tradition with Toy Story 3.  Smart Disney Pictures distributes Pixar product in North American and lucky British Columbians can get in on the fun at Tinseltown (on Pender, free parking), the Park Theatre, the Esplanade 6, Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Famous Players Silver City cites around B.C.

Landmark films derive from great stories.  John Lasseter and his team at Pixar have again surpassed themselves in this third in the famed children’s series.  Check that: the appeal of the Toy Story movies, like those of the original Shrek, largely came by way of a witty script and quality animation.  Much superior to this year’s rather tepid Shrek affair Toy Story 3 is smart from start to finish.

A team of thousands bare their creative souls and technical talents to send Woody and friends on another whimsical adventure.  Now older, original toy owner Andy is off to college so the big question becomes what to do with all those loveable toys he played with as a child and we’re used to from the first two Toy Story movies.    Should they stay or should they go becomes the cause célèbre as these loveable characters encounter all sort of angst as to their final destination.  Comparisons between problems people face are neatly transcribed on these child playthings.  The results are nothing short of fantastic.

While Andy makes his way to college the rest of his “friends” get shipped off to a day care centre.  Once in their new home all is not as it appears as the new arrivals become “trapped” in a deadly power trip engineered by a renegade toy out to control the neighbourhood.  Whether Woody can come to the rescue is an open-ended question as both the toys and audience alike are put through the ringer in this hilarious 106 minute movie.  Preceded by a funny short Toy Story 3 is buoyant, original, clever and non-stop fun.

You have to hand it to both the writers of Toy Story 3 and the technical wizards who bring all these daffy characters to life.  It truly is uncanny how the creators of this series have been able to use playthings we once used as kids and give them human-like characteristics that we all can relate to. Nostalgia is big here and it all works flawlessly. To put you in the right frame of mind there’s an opening sequence that’s as good as anything done before. That opening reminds one an animated version of Spielberg’s classic Raiders of the Lost Ark entry, only done entirely differently. It’s that good and things just keep on getting better and better.  Expect this film to walk away with scores of Oscars in a range of categories.

Again the familiar voices from the past are brought back with a vengeance. Main leads Tom Hanks (Catch Me If You Can) and Tim Allen (The Santa Clause) return as best friends Woody and Buzz Lightyear with funnyman Don Rickles hilarious as Mr. Potato Head.  New to the fold are Michael Keaton (Batman) and former James Bond star Timothy Dalton (License to Kill).  Teens will get a big charge out of some romantic elements added on that take you back in time through the decades to get your groove on.

Just the right pacing gives Toy Story both an air of finality and a sense of danger.  You care about the plight of these action figures and will get caught up in their plight.  If you are looking for a movie that’s uplifting with creative flair and humour Toy Story 3 can’t be beat.  Shot in 3-D it’s hard to see any of the jazzed up effects which are subtle and not the jump at you