What Do The Critics Say?
"Another Pixar masterpiece, capping a groundbreaking and exciting trilogy. Emotional, well crafted and intelligent. The hallmarks of Pixar quality. One of the things you can always count on from Pixar is a simple story that appeals easily to children, but presents adults with plenty of rich imagery and emotional depth."
Wesley Lovell OSCAR GUY
"What a triumph this incredible new 'Toy Story' adventure is! It does a terrific job emphasizing the relationship between toys and a child's imagination. Although I’m all grown up with children and grandchildren of my own now, Toy Story 3 made me miss the toys I loved as a child."
Betty Jo Tucker REELTALK MOVIE REVIEWS
"A fitting finale for a Disney trilogy guaranteed to resonate with kids of any age for generations to come."
Kam Williams THELOOP21
"Whatever age you are happens to be the right age for this charming film from the magicians at Pixar, who manage yet once again to whisk us away to a fantasy reality in which we are 'in the zone'. This is a film that will certainly endure the test of time. You don't need to have toys to enjoy it."
Louise Keller URBAN CINEFILE
"Toy Story 3, decked out in nifty, non-showy 3-D, is a joy to behold. It hits every button from laughter to tears and lifts you up on waves of visual dazzlement. And you don't need to take a kid along to appreciate it. the way the Pixar wizards re-create a sense of childhood wonder is damn near genius."
Peter Travers ROLLING STONE
"Ultimately, Toy Story 3 works not because of any individual scene or particular character, but rather because it fits so neatly with the previous films and provides such a moving coda for these characters that we have grown to know and love."
James Kendrick Q NETWORK
"Worthy threequel to the wonderful Toy Story franchise with gorgeous animation, terrific vocal performances and a brilliantly written script that's consistently both laugh-out-loud funny and powerfully emotional. Make no mistake, tears will be shed by adults and children alike, so bring tissues."
Matthew Turner VIEW LONDON
"The best of the bunch. Touches the funny bone, the brain and the heart."
JACKIE K COOPER
"Toy Story 3 is the shiny, superb, three-dimensional (in all senses of the term) cap on what has got to be as close to a perfect trilogy as exists in cinema. The Pixar team are true masters of their craft. Their stellar cinematic efforts do indeed go to infinity and beyond."
Alice Tynan CONCRETE PLAYGROUND
"Perhaps the most endearing aspect of the Toy Story films is their perfect balance between cute and cool. The right tone is especially crucial if you're going to introduce such iconic toys as Barbie and Ken. To say these additions are successful is an understatement."
Andrew L Urban URBAN CINEFILE
The Inside Story
The original "Toy Story" made motion picture history way back in 1995 when it became the first full-length animated feature to be created entirely by artists using CG technology. It represented a major milestone: not just in animation, but in the art of filmmaking. Rich Ross, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, says it "made an invaluable impression on the history of film. It was created with the same pioneering spirit that the studio was built upon, breaking new ground in technology and more importantly; storytelling . Buzz, Woody and the toys instantly won the hearts of people of all ages, evoking the kind of adoration and devotion typically reserved for Disney’s time-honored classic characters. "Toy Story" films broadened the audience for animated films; redefined the rules of moviemaking and proved it was possible to make a movie with truly widespread appeal. In effect, "Toy Story" set the bar for every film: both animated and live action; that followed." "Toy Story" with seventy seven minutes of breathtaking animation, entailed one thousand five hundred and sixty one shots and a cast of seventy six characters that included humans, toys and a dog: meticulously hand-designed, built and animated in the computer. It became the highest grossing film of 1995, with a US box office of nearly $192 million, and $362 million worldwide. It was nominated for three Academy Awards ® (Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score and Best Original Song) and John Lasseter received a Special Achievement Oscar ® for his inspired leadership of the Pixar "Toy Story" team, resulting in the first feature-length computer-animated film. "It became the first animated feature in motion picture history to ever get an Oscar nomination for its screenplay. Additionally, the film was included on the American Film Institute’s list of one hundred Greatest American Movies. Producer Darla K. Anderson remembers when they released "Toy Story", "Steve Jobs said it was our 'Snow White' and we thought, 'Boy, wouldn’t that be cool if "Toy Story" did make that kind of mark and was that kind of classic film that people felt like they owned, like it was part of their lives, their childhood, their family’s lives.' That was our intention then and it still is the mission statement for each of our films now." In 1999, "Toy Story 2" (Pixar’s third feature) became the first film ever to be entirely created, mastered and exhibited digitally. The film surpassed the original at the box office, becoming the first animated sequel to gross more than its inspiration. It won praise from critics and moviegoers alike, and was nominated for an Academy Award ® for Best Original Song and two Golden Globes ®, winning a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical). "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2" made their Disney Digital 3D™ debut on a special double bill in 2009. To kick off the creation of "Toy Story 3," Pixar gathered virtually the same team that had created the first two "Toy Story" films. Joining director Lee Unkrich in the session were John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton (who co-wrote the screenplay for "Toy tory" and "Toy Story 2", and who wrote/directed "Finding Nemo" and "WALL•E"), Pete Docter (director/writer of "Monsters, Inc" and "Up"), Darla K Anderson, Bob Peterson and Jeff Pigeon. "We went out to a place called The Poet’s Loft in Tomales Bay in Marin County, a small cabin where the idea for the first "Toy Story" film was hatched," Anderson revealed. "Andrew brought along a special bottle of wine with a "Toy Story" label that John had given us when the first film came out." They did a toast to Joe Ranft, their dear departed friend and colleague who had been the head of story on the first "Toy Story".
"Joe was the master of creating true and quirky characters full of heart and character-based humor," Anderson says. "His presence was missed." During the retreat, the participants watched the first two "Toy Story" films in their entirety as a point of reference, and to help immerse them into that world again. "It was of course our goal to make a movie worthy of the first two films," says Unkrich. "In the history of cinema, there are only a few sequels that are as good as the first, and we really couldn’t think of any excellent third movies. The only one that came to mind was "The Return of the King", but that was really more like the third part of one giant story. That’s when I had an epiphany: We needed the three "Toy Story" movies to feel like part of one grand story." By the end of the session, the team made great progress, and Stanton, Pixar's resident story guru/screenwriter/director (currently making his live-action directing debut on Walt Disney Pictures "John Carter of Mars"), was charged with writing the initial treatment. "We felt optimistic," says two time Annie Award winner Unkrich (2000 & '04), "because although crafting a worthy sequel was a daunting task, we were the same creative team that had made the first two films. On the second day of the retreat, we came up with the idea of Andy growing up. We also came up with the idea that Woody and the other toys would end up at day care, as well as the concept of Buzz getting switched into demo mode. Andrew drafted a treatment that got everyone excited. It was at that point that Michael Arndt and I started working on the story in earnest." For 2007 Oscar ® winning screenwriter Michael Arndt ("Little Miss Sunshine"), the process of working with Pixar’s famed animation team proved to be a happy one. "I saw and loved each of Pixar’s films as they came out, but the idea that I could ever work there never occurred to me. As a filmgoer, there were two things I really admired about their films. Firstly, the completeness of their stories. It’s rare to see a film in which every detail of the script has been thought out completely, and Pixar’s films have that pleasurable sense of density and thoroughness. Secondly, you can feel a palpable joy in the process of filmmaking in every Pixar film: the POV shots, the match cuts, the camera movements. You just know you’re watching something made by people who absolutely love what they do." But there's a lot more to it than that. "Everyone can relate to these characters. Looking at the world from a toy’s point of view is one thing, but looking at it from a character’s point of view makes it a deeper and more emotional thing. Audiences are able to relate to things in their own lives," says Lasseter. And what makes "Toy Story 3" different to the first two editions? "This movie has a totally different kind of emotion and depth to it." In addition to the returning cast of characters and the introduction of Ken, "Toy Story 3" boasts a wide range of colorful new toys and a few new humans as well. The toys from Andy’s room journey from the security of their longtime home to Sunnyside Daycare, where they envision getting played with five days a week. Another key player in this latest adventure is a loving and imaginative child named Bonnie, the daughter of a woman who works at Sunnyside and owner of her own special troupe of toys. Tom Hanks is back in the saddle providing the voice of the popular pull-string cowboy sheriff Woody and Tim Allen is on for his third mission as the heroic, intrepid and occasionally deluded space ranger Buzz Lightyear. With a returning cast of favorites and the introduction of a whole new cast of characters, "Toy Story 3" is packed with star power.
Anderson tips her hat to the films cast. "It was wonderful to get the original actors back on board for "Toy Story 3". Having the gang together again helped to ground us at the beginning the filmmaking process. The whole cast: old and new; brings so much talent and priceless spontaneous improv; they breathe beautiful life into these characters and help inspire the performance of the animation." For two time Oscar ® winner Hanks (1994 & '95), slipping back into the role of Woody after a long absence was an easy assignment. "Woody is a passionate guy who throws himself into every action. As soon as he has an instinctive thought, like 'I have to help them' or 'I have to run away', he does it with one hundred percent commitment. You gotta love that about anybody. The fact that Pixar can come up with a third 'Toy Story' movie and have it be completely fresh and real and unique shows just how brilliant they are." Eight time People's Choice Award winner Tim Allen (1992-1999), who voices Buzz, recognizes the magic in the new film noting it "is a remarkable achievement with a story that is so good they could have marketed the storyboard version. Even though I knew the story and had read the ending, it grabbed me in the best possible way; I know audiences are going to have the same reaction. The great thing for me about working on the 'Toy Story' films is the great friendships I’ve made with all the people at Pixar and with Tom Hanks." Three time American Comedy Award winner Joan Cusack ("Working Girl", "In & Out" and "Runaway Bride"), who returns as the voice of the energetic cowgirl Jessie, is a big fan of the character. "Jessie is such a good role model. She believes that children are important and approaches them with pride and passion. And she believes girls can do anything! Which of course she is right!" "Jessie is one of my favorite 'Toy Story' characters because she brings such a strong female presence to the films," says Anderson. "She has a big heart, but can keep up with Woody and Buzz and isn’t afraid to speak her mind." Versatile actor John Ratzenberger, who played Cliff Clavin in two hundred and sixty eight episodes of TV'S iconic "Cheers" and has lent his voice to every Pixar film to date; starting with the wise-cracking pig Hamm, right up through a choice cameo as Construction Foreman Tom in last year's Oscar ® winning "Up", says he is "grateful to be part of Pixar’s passion and gleefulness. I like playing Hamm because he’s such a wisenheimer. He cracks me up." 2008 EMMY Award winner Don Rickles celebrates his third outing as the irritable Mr Potato Head. "When John Lasseter first told me that I was going to be Mr Potato Head, I said, 'I don’t play potatoes. Leave me alone. I gotta try to make a career.' Little did I realize that I would be able to get my wife some jewelry and a couple of houses and so forth. The money’s very good." Estelle Harris once again provides the voice of his biggest fan, the loving spud, Mrs Potato Head. Wallace Shawn returns as the voice of Dinosaur, Rex. Blake Clark (Coach Bobby 'Buzzer' Ferdinando in "Grown Ups") lends his voice as Slinky Dog, stepping in for his good friend, the late Jim Varney, who provided the voice in the first two films. John Morris, returns for a third stint, once again voicing Andy. "Toy Story 3" is loaded with comedy, and some of the biggest laughs come from the cast of new toys, who are brought to life by vocal talents with their own unique pedigrees in humor. New toys include: Lotso, Stretch, Big Baby, Twitch, Chunk, Sparks, Chatter Telephone, Bookworm and Ken, a swinging bachelor who’s always on the lookout for fun, especially with Barbie.
What's It All About?
 As Andy prepares to depart for college, his mother gives him three choices when it comes to sorting out all his possessions: store them in the attic; take them to college with him; or, put them out for the rubbish collection. That's left Buzz, Woody and the rest of his loyal toys feeling very insecure. Troubled about their uncertain future (after all they aren't college material) they ponder whether they will end up in the dumpster or be put in the attic? In fact, the toys land up in a room full of untamed tots at Sunnyside Daycare Centre who can't wait to break in the new toys: literally. To make things worse, the centre's toys are under the oppressive eye of Lotso, a damaged toy bear that smells of strawberries but acts like prison commandant. It's pandemonium as Andy's toys try to stay together, ensuring "no toy gets left behind." In the midst of the mayhem, Barbie comes face to plastic face with Ken.
The Verdict
"Just when you thought animated storytelling couldn't get better, along comes "Toy Story 3". For those who loved the first two, highly successful editions (and who didn't?), this is the absolute icing on the cake. Words can hardly describe how good, nor how highly emotive this latest 'Toy Story' adventure is. The ending will have children wide-eyed and filled with amazement. Adults in the audience will find themselves fighting hard to choke back the tears as this moving scene revives memories (and for some, no doubt, a twinge of guilt) of outgrowing their toys. Hats off to Pixar who have, over nearly two decades, kept us entertained with some glorious animated productions. This is their eleventh animated feature film. The others were "Toy Story", "A Bugs Life", "Toy Story 2", "Monsters, Inc.", "Finding Nemo", "The Incredibles", "Cars", "Ratatouille", "WALL-E" and "UP". I am sure that, after experiencing their latest production, many will be arguing that "Toy Story 3" is truly their grandest adventure so far. A most memorable experience for both children and adults alike. Unmissable in 2D. Truly Magnificent in 3D. 5 STARS."
The Production Team
Director
Writers
Producer
Exec-Producer
Original Music
Art Dept Manager
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Lee Unkrich
Michael Arndt/John Lasseter/Andrew Stanton/Lee Unkrich
Darla K. Anderson
John Lasseter
Randy Newman
Juliet Pokorny
Who Is Voicing Who?
John Morris
Tom Hanks
Tim Allen
Joan Cusack
Ned Beatty
Hannah Unkrich
Don Rickles
Estelle Harris
Michael Keaton
Jodi Benson
Wallace Shawn
John Ratzenberger
Charlie Bright
Emily Hahn
Lori Alan
Laurie Metcalf
Blake Clark
Teddy Newton
Bud Luckey
Beatrice Miller
Timothy Dalton
Kristen Schaal
Jeff Garlin
Bonnie Hunt
John Cygan
Jeff Pidgeon
Whoopi Goldberg
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Andy
Woody
Buzz Lightyear
Jessie
Lotso
Baby Molly
Mr Potato Head
Mrs Potato Head
Ken
Barbie
Rex
Hamm
Young Andy/Peatey
Bonnie
Bonnie's Mom
Andy's Mom
Slinky Dog
Chatter Telephone
Chuckles
Molly
Mr Pricklepants
Trixie
Buttercup
Dolly
Twitch
Aliens
Stretch
Run Time 103 minutes
Rated G [AUST]
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