Toy Story 3 (玩具總動員3)

The central theme that toys secretly interact with each other when we aren't around is still an entertaining one, and holds up well after so many years. Maybe there's just a little part of each of us that secretly wishes our childhood toys really do come alive when we aren't watching.

After “Toy Story,” Pixar moved onto bigger animations; yet, stepping back into the toy world, it demonstrated the ability to compete with the latest and greatest animations to date, even with this simple subject. Compared to the recently released DreamWorks animation, “Shrek Forever After” — which shined about as much as a swamp — we can see the team at Pixar is right on the money.

The toys are back in town again, with the celebrity cast lending their voices to the characters, including Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, Joan Cusack as Jessie, and Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head. But wait, there's more.

Additional characters add plenty of surprise and humor. Michael Keaton really serves a big bagful of humor with his depiction of Ken, probably the most notable of the newly featured toys. The ticket price is paid for just to watch the scene where Ken meets Barbie. And also there's a lot of smaller, yet equality hilarious toys such as Mr. Pricklepants, a Hedgehog in Lederhosen voiced by Timothy Dalton, who's not dissimilar in appearance from Winnie the Pooh.

Andy has grown up and he's soon to be on his way to college. Before he leaves, his Mom tells him to clean out his room of unwanted toys so she can take them to the day-care center. Unfortunately, Andy no longer plays with his toys and he decides to store them in the attic, except for Woody — his favorite. But unfortunately Andy's Mom mistakes the bag full of toys for trash and so a new adventure is born.

The toys eventually escape the waste collection only to end up at the local Sunny Side Day Care after all, where they meet a whole bunch of other toys in what seems like a toy's paradise. The center's leader, a purple Teddy called Lotso (Ned Beatty), gives the new arrivals a friendly welcoming and soon they can't wait for kids' play-time to begin. Woody however decides to return to Andy and leaves the other toys in their new home. Regrettably, some of the younger children at Sunny Side don't play nicely and soon the gang realizes that Sunny Side is more like a prison than a paradise. Can Woody save the day?

Lee Unkrich directs another unstoppable animation with “Toy Story 3” that's packed full with gags, gasps and groans, although perhaps reverting to toilet humor a little too often. Trilogies very rarely succeed; in fact, they usually have a habit of undermining franchises. However, “Toy Story 3” lives up to Pixar's very high standards and it somehow pushes the boat out even further. Despite the apparent end of the line for this toy story, it's definitely “falling with style” here.

If you're holding out for that special treat for the kids this summer, then make “Toy Story 3” the choice, as it will probably be the most entertaining animation you'll see this year. It's packed full with adventure, comedy and as always the Pixar script is outstanding. Not just for the kids, the film will surely draw a tear from the adults and a giggle from everyone. If you loved the others you'll love this. Highly recommended and worth waiting for.

'Toy Story 3' (玩具總動員3) ► Directed by Lee Unkrich / With the voice of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger and Michael Keaton / Comedy and Animation / USA / 2010 / 103 min. / ★★★★☆ / Mandarin with Chinese subtitles or English with Chinese subtitles / Now Showing

Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email