Toy Story 3 (2010)

Some may find reason to slight the toymakers but Pixar has never let me down. For its third run out of the toybox, Toy Story 3 proves it still has the whimsy, delight, and genius that make up a Pixar movie -- esp. its stories told from the toys' point of view. "Andy's toys" (as they have been known since Toy Story first entered pop culture and revolutionized computerized animation 15 years ago) are back and more real now -- esp. as they face the reality that Andy is grown and about to leave for college. What will become of them? Does Andy still love them? Do they still have a purpose -- or must they face their end (whatever that may be)? What about their attachment to Andy (who after all has no idea they, with their feelings of love and loyalty, are real)? Woody, Buzz, and the gang have a lot of ground to cover as they wrestle with garbage trucks, daycare toddlers gone wild, and a welcoming but devious cabal of new toys before facing their final destination. The closing moments of the movie are quite touching (in a sweet and hopeful not a sad way); my youngest son and I did not have dry eyes. However, I laughed heartily at Buzz Lightyear's antics in an alternate personality (voiced by Carlos Alazraqui con gran brio) as well as Ken's extensive wardrobe stylings and poofy handwriting. Make no excuses -- see Toy Story 3 if you are at all inclined to do so! I think you'll be pleased with this closing chapter on Andy's toys -- not to mention the new characters as well as new dimensions on the old ones you've always loved. 5 stars. (6-24-10 posted 7-9-10)