EIFF: Toy Story 3

Pixar revives classic for one of the biggest movies of 2010 Just like the toys you played with as a child; the memory of Toy Story has become fonder as the years have passed, and like the big box of Lego you used to play with; Toy Story has stood the test of time. Pixar has only recently managed to emerge from the influences of Toy Story through recent films Wall:E and Up, so to go back and revisit this modern classic was certainly a bold move for studios. However, Toy Story 3 was never in danger of falling short and this film had all the Pixar hallmarks from brilliantly witty jokes to fantastic story telling.

Andy is now 17 and is facing up to the toughest of decisions: what do I do with my old toys? He hasn’t played with them in years and the toys are beginning to get restless. Instead of throwing them away he decides to put them in the attic along with a host of other toys already there. Unhappy with their not so lofty status the toys take matters into their own hands and donate themselves to Sunnyside Day-Care where they find out that some toys don’t cope well with being thrown away. Pixar have obviously had an attic clearout of their own in the intervening years since Toy Story 2 as some characters haven’t made it into the new instalment. However, they have been seamlessly replaced by the gender confused Ken, voiced by Michael Keaton, the wonderfully eloquent Mr. Pricklepants, voiced by Timothy Dalton, and the ringleader of the ‘Sunnyside Toys’ Lotso, voiced by Ned Beatty. He smells of Strawberries. Lotso that is, I can't comment on Ned Beatty. The original characters that survived the cull are as fresh and sharp as they were in the original film and the ending was just as emotional as saying goodbye to your own childhood toys. In fact, you’ll feel guilty you got rid of them at all. Everyone knows what to expect from a Pixar film; a great story with lots of laughs. Toy Story 3 has that in abundance but also has an innocence to it that makes you feel like a child when you’re watching it. The original instalment was 15 years ago and this film will certainly make you feel like you’re 15 years younger. Only this time you’ll understand all the jokes. Make sure you stick around for the Gipsy Kings’ version of the theme song You’ve Got a Friend In Me. Inspired. Toy Story 3 goes on general release in the UK from July 19th.