Steve Reviews Toy Story 3

I must admit, I don’t think Pixar has ever made a bad film, but I have never really been a Toy Story guy. I thought the original 1995 film was probably the greatest animated film to date (by animation standards. For more, please visit All Things Academy). The 1999 sequel was even more popular than the original, and I didn’t understand it. I thought it was just OK as far as a movie goes.

Pixar had been toying with ideas (no pun intended) for the 3rd film since the second one’s release. There were several treatments for Part 3 that made headlines over the years. The most memorable to me was the one about a toy recall that would have sent Buzz back to Japan and the gang trying to get him back. I think that one went all the way into pre-production and died last minute (thank God).

After 10 years, the story was set to have the toys donated to a day care when Andy goes off to college. Brilliant. And brilliant was the film. Tons of new characters were introduced, and the classic ones have never been better.

For the first time, Pixar released a film in 3D. I saw it in 3D, and although I enjoyed it, I didn’t think the 3D was necessary. Good stories do not need a gimmick; they just need to be good.

Toy Story 3 is fantastic, and it should easily win the Best Animated Feature award. Although, Disney has made it clear that they are going for the Best Picture win this year. An animated film has never won, but now that there are 10 nominees, I think the chances of Toy Story 3 being the first are very slim.

-Steve
7.1.2010