Toy Story 3

It's hard to believe that it's been 10 years since we've seen Woody and the gang and to be perfectly honest, I didn't really think this series needed to be a trilogy.  I saw the first movie as a child and loved it and while I enjoyed its sequel, I didn't really feel it was as strong as the first and felt that a third movie would lower the quality even further.  To my surprise, however, I really feel that Toy Story 3 is the best out of the trilogy.  I don't seem to be a minority here as it seems that most critics are giving this movie extremely high praise. 

First things first though, if you have yet to see the first two movies, do yourself a favor and watch them.  They are very enjoyable films and still hold up pretty nicely today (at the least, watch the first film).  If you didn't watch the first films when they were released then you may miss out on what some have called the movies strongest point: It's nostalgic factor.  I watched these films a long time ago and while I can't really say they're my favorite films, they still have a little place in my childhood memories and thus, only helped to increase the thirds appeal.  I've heard many people were truly close to tearing up during some of the movies more emotional moments (which I won't spoil here.)  Its amazing to see how Pixar can have the viewers feeling so emotionally attached to characters like stuffed animals, robots, grumpy old men, and even fish but thats truly just a testament to how much life these characters are given.  That's not to say that those who haven't seen the first two should stay away, I'm only stating that it enhances an already enjoyable experience.

I truly don't want to spoil any parts of the movie so let's just say that Andy is now going to college and his toys are feeling very distant from him.  Through some misunderstandings the gang gets donated and ends up at Sunnyside Daycare where things appear to be better then they could dream.  The sad reality is that the Sunnyside toys are run by a dark dictator named [jk I'm not spoiling it].  This is where the movies get a prison break vibe and the writing shines easily outdoing the previous two movies plots.  There's a lot of clever writing, witty dialogue, and gorgeous visuals here that don't even need the assistance of the 3D gimmick but I won't knock Pixar for its inclusion. 

SUMMARY

Watch Toy Story 3.  You'll laugh, get close to tears (or even cry) and thoroughly be hooked into the story.  I enjoyed the movie so much that I'd actually pay to watch it again (pretty rare). 

FINAL GRADE: A+