Toy Story 3 - 10 stars out of 10

Toy Story 3 - 10 stars out of 10

Pixar concludes the Toy Story trilogy with its finest offering yet. Hysterical visual gags and one-liners set Toy Story 3 above its two predecessors. But this movie is intended more for the generation that first discovered it 15 years ago than for kids today. This story is slightly dark (emphasis on slightly) as it tells a sad tale of seperation and growing up. The theme of Andy going away to college will tug at the heartstrings of parents and Andy's interactions with his toys will really get to young adults and college students as this movie focuses in on growing up and leaving childhood behind. The animation is absolutely top notch, particularly during a few moments toward the end (which I will not spoil). I will never understand how the animators can create so much emotions in the eyes of a toy, but they absolutely nailed it. It is amazing to compare the animation of humans in the first Toy Story (which wrote the book on the computer animation) and the realism of characters like Andy's mom and the custodian. I could spend hours giving specific compliments to the incredible vocal talent of the actors from the previous films. But I will limit myself to stating that the addition of Ned Beatty (as Lotso), Michael Keaton (as Ken), Whoopi Goldberg (as the octopus), and former James Bond star Timothy Dalton as a Shakespeare-quoting porcupine was an amazing casting decision. I love that John Morris provided the voice for Andy in all three films, to provide a truly realistic effect of how our generation grew into adults with this movie, just as Andy's voice matured as his character grew older. This film is more than just another Pixar film - it is a statement about growing up and childhood. The themes of this film probably go over the heads of every child that sees it, but I won't deny that I had tears streaming down my cheeks for 10 straight minutes at the end.