Toy Story 3 (2010)

Genre

Adventure | Animation | Comedy

Director

Lee Unkrich

Country

USA

Voice Cast

Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty, John Morris, Don Rickles, Blake Clark, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Estelle Harris, Michael Keaton, Jodi Benson, Emily Hahn, Jeff Pidgeon, Timothy Dalton, Kristen Schaal, Jeff Garlin Bonnie Hunt, Whoopi Goldberg

Storyline

Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen) and the other toys are mistakenly delivered to a day-care center instead of the attic right before Andy leaves for college, and it's up to Woody to convince the other toys that they weren't abandoned and to return home.

Opinion

It rarely happens that the third film of a trilogy manages to not be a failure and to live up to the previous installments, especially if those films are spectacular. But this is Disney-Pixar and they barely know how to let people down, and "Toy Story 3" is a magnificent proof of that.

Structed like in the previous films, the storyline still is about the fear of being discarded and unwanted, and the obsession of being forgotten, but it doesn't get boring, not even for a second.

The screenwriters delights us with an emotional plot that will make cry even the most hard-hearted, and the characters have never been like this before; they are more courageous, sweet and the human characters are more involved into the story.

And that leads to the themes addressed by the film. Because of that, the film has the opportunity to portray the transition to adult life, necessitated with the departure for college and eventually to decide what to do with all those things, toys, that have been a huge part of a person's life.

But they didn't forget to keep it fun. Cast aside all the messages the film conveys, the film is a wonderful, entertaining ride whose interesting plot and cute, cuddly villain will make you keep your eyes glued to the screen.

Basically needless to say is how fantastic the animation is, but I'll still spend some words on it anyway. Whether 3D at the movie theater or 2D at home, the animation is better than ever, and the moves of the characters more than anything else are simply perfect.

Can't wait for "Toy Story 4". 

Toy Story 2 (1999)

Genre

Adventure | Animation | Comedy

Directors

John Lasseter | Ash Brannon | Lee Unkrich

Country

USA

Voice Cast

Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, Estelle Harris, Wayne Knight, John Morris, Laurie Metcalf, R. Lee Ermey, Jodi Benson, Jonathan Harris, Joe Ranft, Jeff Pidgeon, Andrew Stanton

Storyline

While Andy (John Morris) is away at summer camp, Woody (Tom Hanks) is accidentally placed in a yard sale and eventually toynapped by Al McWhiggin (Wayne Knight), a greedy collector. It's up to Buzz (Tim Allen) and his friends to save Woody.

Opinion

Four years after "Toy Story" and one year after "A Bug's Life", the only other Disney-Pixar production in between, John Lasseter brought to us "Toy Story 2", this funny, exciting, spectacular sequel that has nothing to envy to its predecessor.

Keeping similar themes to "Toy Story", the film delivers a strong plot, and even though it is similar to the original and has been done in other films before it, it still flows incredibly well. It doesn't have a lot of laughing out loud moments, but it definitely has many good lines and so many references that I absolutely loved - including the original film and "The Empire Strikes Back".

Once again what makes the film so interesting are the characters. There are all the charming, likable characters from the first film - including those cute, little green martians - and some wonderful new characters that includes Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl, Woody's faithful steed, Bullseye, the Barbies, and Mrs. Potato. And once again the voice cast does a wonderful job. 

The film is also interesting because of the fascinating conflict it creates for the main character, Woody. He is forced to make a difficult decision: either he goes back to Andy with Buzz and the other toys, even though he knows that one day Andy will be a grown up and won't play with toys anymore, or he goes with the new toys in a museum where they'll be admired by children all over the world.

This is not the only theme that is going to satisfy grown-ups though. The film also addresses the theme of loneliness and abandonment and how they affect people - well, toys in this case. 

At last the animation. You will immediately notice the step forward digital animation has made since the first film only four years earlier. And there is a greater attention to detail, if that's even possible - the reflection of Buzz's eyes on his visor, Andy's new dog, and especially things like dust and shadows.

Toy Story (1995)

Genre

Adventure | Animation | Comedy

Director

John Lasseter

Country

USA

Voice Cast

Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, John Morris, Erik von Detten, Laurie Metcalf, R. Lee Ermey, Sarah Freeman, Jack Angel, Greg Berg, Debi Derryberry, Jeff Pidgeon, Joe Ranft

Storyline

Cowboy doll Woody (Tom Hanks) has it all. He is the leader in Andy's toy room, Bo Peep (Annie Potts) has the hots for him and he is Andy's favourite toy. But Andy's (John Morris) birthday arrives, along with a brand new toy, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), a space cadet who thinks he is a space ranger who instantly becomes Andy's new favourite toy, and Woody becomes profoundly jealous. 

Opinion

1995. Pixar Animated Studios creates the first full-length computer-animated picture ever that starts a series of never ending success: "Toy Story", one of the greatest animated films ever made.

The thing that still impress me the most after 21 years is the plot to the film. Absolutely brilliant. The story of a toy that feels pushed aside and becomes jealous and envious when "his" kid receives a new toy that instantly becomes the favourite. 

I know, it may sound like it doesn't have anything special other than toys being alive, but it has been an incredible milestone for Disney as they portrayed for the first time feelings such as envy, jealousy, anger in a film that targets kids. It also teaches when it's time to kind of back off, and accept changes.

In addition to a simple yet effective plot that has both drama and excitement, the script also features outstanding characters and amazing character development. The conflict between Woody and Buzz is taken to a very deep level, and if it wasn't for the animation you'd totally forget what you're watching is a kids film.

Casting the right people to match voices to characters personalities is also extremely important in animated films. And what can I say, they couldn't have cast better actors. Tom Hanks is perfect as Woody, and delivers the character's sarcasm wonderfully. Tim Allen also is nothing short than perfect as Buzz, and gives the best performance in the film. Equally great is the rest of the cast, all believable and entertaining, they make you love each character.

And last but not least, the animation. Have you really thought I wasn't going to mention it? It's needless to say, I know, but it's simply spectacular. Pixar's incredible attention to detail was impressive the first time as well, and watching the film today and seeing how the characters move - from eyes to body movements -, well, it makes you forget how old the film is. 

What else can I tell ya? Life in plastic is fantastic!

3D Quick Updates: TRON LEGACY, TOY STORY and DARK COUNTRY

Jim here. Got some quick updates for you from the 3D world:

1. TRON LEGACY: Brand spankin' new trailer - check it out!



2. TOY STORY: Brand spankin' new trailer for TOY STORY 1 & 2 - Two 3D movies for the price of one for a limited 2 week engagement starting October 2.

3. DARK COUNTRY: I am damn disappointed in Sony for shelving the 3D distribution for this movie. This Thomas Jane project looks awesome and to pull the mat out from under everyone like this sucks big time. I have not heard why Sony has decided to do this, but I am shaking my head. Here is a new trailer for the movie which now seems destined for direct to DVD:



Keep it on MarketSaw for 3D updates when they happen!