Toy Story 3: Playtime’s Over

Well here we are folks; grab a hanky and prepare to pretend that your hayfever is playing up. It’s been a magical journey but finally after 15 years we’ve reached the end of the Scalectrix track. Toy Story 3 waves Woody, Buzz and the rest of the toy cupboard off into the sunset as Andy prepares to leave them behind for good on his way to college. The team begin to accept a life in the attic but they soon find themslves donated to a daycare centre for pre-school kids. Initially it looks like they’ve struck lucky in a toy’s paradise but it soons turns into a nightmare where jam ‘n’ snot covered toddlers play rough and they’re under the control of the beautifully named but nasty Lots-o-Huggin’ Bear.

For some Toy Story has been a part of their world since they were in short trousers (I’m looking at myself here) for most it’s when animation underwent something of a revolution. Not only was it the first full length 3D animation but it was the beginning of Pixar reminding the world how to tell a story, while saving Disney to boot. The original released in 1995 paved the way for delights such as Monsters Inc. Finding Nemo and The Incredibles; you know when you sit down to the latest Pixar production you’re in for a guaranteed treat and Buzz and Woody’s swan song is no exception.

Which is the conclusion I came to after I’d seen the whole thing. Whilst sitting through the first twenty minutes I wasn’t so sure; don’t be alarmed everything was exactly where it should be but the sight of all the characters dusty and forgotten in the toybox was almost too much to bare. The tone felt sad and nostalgic and longing for days gone by. I realised then that Pixar have achieved something no other film franchise has ever done so well for me; deep emotional ties with its characters. I’m going to divulge something here that usually isn’t for public consumption. I am the owner of a Buzz Lightyear and a Woody toy, and I wouldn’t want to see anything bad ever happen to them; this is how deep my connection goes.  Luckily with their plight laid out there wasn’t anywhere for the mood to go but up and the moving of the action to Sunnyside daycare soon brought the delight I was craving.

The most important thing to note is that this feels like a Toy Story film; it has a story worth telling and all the elements that made the previous installments exceptional are present here with the necessary add-ins to provide a freshness. It treds the tightrope between entertaining younger and older fans successfully too.  All the new characters are charming and add to the bittersweet realisation that is probably the last time we get to take a walk in this world. Ken is a particularly wonderful creation, carrying all the emotional baggage that one would imagine would come from being an accessory, “I’m not a girl’s toy!” just one of a number of memorable lines delivered by Michael Keaton. Lots-o-Huggin’ Bear will invoke memories of Stinky Pete from Toy Story 2 but he brings his own brand of quiet menace, whilst smelling of strawberries. In fact the story structure as a whole is reminicient of the first sequel, the big set piece at the end especially; but when it’s this good it can only be classed as a minor quibble.

Its clearly been a labour of love for the Pixar animators and the level of detail in every aspect of production is astounding. I loved it with a childhood wonder I haven’t felt in years and the final farewell to these characters will bring a lump to the throat of the hardiest cinema-goer. I’m really going to miss these guys, we’ve been on some great adventures together and I’m so sad to see them go but the best thing of all is I wouldn’t change a thing.