To begin with I just want to say bravo to Pixar, these guys are constantly raising the bar not just for animation but for live action films as well. They write incredibly moving, funny and entertaining stories, that never fail to have an effect on the audience.
I sat down to watch Toy Story 3 as a massive fan of the franchise, I grew up in the piss poor Disney age of lost magic and had to live with the classics (go Jungle Book). Then in 1995 a film that changed everything arrived, Toy Story. Every production company tried to replicate that magic that was captured in Toy Story, they failed quite epically in my opinion, but Pixar just keep on releasing the magic. In Toy Story 3 they do this again and complete the greatest trilogy ever made (yeah that's right fuck you Star Wars fans)all three films are incredibly strong and speak to pretty much everybody of every age range (unless of course you sold your soul for a shot at the big time). There is nothing about this film I didn't love, it made me laugh. cry and put me on the edge of my seat and that is a huge achievement for an animated feature.
The story starts with the game Andy is playing in the first film, but this time its as Andy see's it and it is wonderful. We move through the years via Mum's video camera and arrive at present day. The toys no longer having a purpose as Andy has grown up and is moving away, leaving the toys useless (to him anyway). Many people at this present time will know exactly how that feels as employment is a mess all over the world and most of us feel like we are useless and no longer have a purpose. Pixar are very good at using current issues in their stories to let us know we are not alone. This sparks a mistaken move to the Sunnyside daycare centre, which on the surface appears to be a safe haven for toys. But of course it isn't, I will never look at baby dolls the same way again let me tell you, it is ruled by an evil cuddly bear who runs it like a prison of which he is the daddy. So the toys make their escape, not before Buzz is reset and believes he is a space ranger again, not to worry he is fixed shortly after with truly hilarious consequences.
The escape provides the funniest and most heart wrenching moments of film, Mr Tortilla head being the funniest moment in cinema this year by miles. This is by far the most dramatic of the three films, it really takes you to places that no other pixar or animated children's film has ever before, your heart beats and tears fill your eyes, as your childhood slips away from you. These are characters we have become attached to, the fact they are cartoon toys is irrelevant, these guys have been there for years making us laugh, cheering us up on those bad days when you can just put the movie in your DVD player and wear an instant smile, it will truly break your heart in places and also bring a tear of joy at times.
Toy Story 3 is more of an ensemble than the first 2 films, all the toys having equal footing pretty much. Mr Potato Head really standing up and being the funny guy here and Ken being a great addition to the cast, Michael Keaton doing his best work in a long time, perfect casting from pixar.
I loved this film and will watch it for the rest of my life and when I have kids I hope they will to. This film touched me because when Andy says goodbye to his toys, his old friends, we are saying goodbye to our old friends too. But at least we will always be able to pay them a visit.
My rating 10/10 best film of the year.
Much love El Papa Diablo.
P.S Magnum, you're my favourite deputy.
No comments:
Post a Comment