A friend in me: Toy Story 3

SPOILERS galore, man.

I was, along with many of today’s world of almost-21-year-olds, just nine when Toy Story 2 graced our two-dimensional cinemas, our boxy television sets and fresh looking DVD/video shelves. The original Toy Story was the first ever Disney/Pixar effort, setting the stage for fantastic animations the likes of A Bugs Life, Finding Nemo and UP. Eleven years down the line and Pixar release the third, aptly and happily titled Toy Story 3. And it’s a great success in every which way.

For a start it’s as unpredictable as it is brilliant. There are twists at every corner and if you don’t read a synopsis beforehand, there is no telling – or guessing - where it’s going. After a decade of dormancy it needed a strong start and it certainly delivers. The characters are introduced in the most exciting fashion, with an opening scene merging action that apes X-men and the Back to the Future set in the Wild West - complete with a swarm of plastic monkeys.

The most memorable element is that, as any perfectly formed family movie should, the third instalment covers every emotional base. Hilarious new characters – namely the ‘well groomed’ Ken doll and a thespian hedgehog – bring the laughter in bucket loads. The plotline of Andy’s move to college and the need for the gang to get back home in time is tense. The toys’ feeling of rejection at the start is tear jerking and their passing down to a younger generation heart warming. At times it’s also terrifying - I defy anyone to sit through any scene with the ‘baby’ with the dodgy eye without thinking back to Childs Play and dreading nap time. The baby is part of a posse of villainous bullies who also take the shape of trucks and robots lead by a vengeful bear. Other themes addressed involve violence, threat, oppression and deception but none too strong that they take away the childlike excitement and none too weak that they don’t spark empathy and make an impact.
Performances from the now unquestionably experienced leading roles are, as expected, flawless. As is the animation - the gags and stunts throughout the film brag moments of genius from every character. Woody and buzz display heart-stopping acrobatics throughout - the latter also embracing his Spanish side after his default settings are tampered with - and the climax, which sees the group holding hands and facing a near certain death in a powerful ode to friendship, is perfectly executed and genuinely lip-quivering. But as far as the character animation goes it’s the riotous development of Mr Potato Head and a scene where his body is replaced by a floppy tortilla that fans are going to remember.

It ends as it starts, with a recap of each of the character’s personalities in a poignant scene between a now 17-year-old Andy and a young Bonnie who inherits the toys. Feelings of connecting with Andy and his love for his playthings stemming from the first films flood back as he says goodbye to them.As one of the generation who embraced the franchise in the 90s and having enjoyed them countless times since, there is no possible way to describe the feeling of sitting through Pixar’s long anticipated Toy Story 3. It’s predecessors were groundbreaking in their time and they have been entirely honoured, respected and outdone. As we did eleven years ago, today’s generation of youngsters have witnessed something special and, judging by the pristine effects, quality in 3D and the strength of the sublimely written plot, there’s no question Pixar were right to wait. And it was worth every second.