2010 | Dir. Lee Unkrich | 103 Minutes
"The thing that makes Woody special is he'll never give up on you ever. He'll be there for you, no matter what."
After years of neglect, the toys find themselves stranded in a prison-like daycare ruled by a tyrannical stuffed bear due to a misunderstanding as Andy prepares to leave for college. Rescued by a young and friendly child, Woody returns to the daycare and arranges a daring prison break to save his friends.
A natural follow-up to Toy Story 2, Lee Unkrich's sequel is as full of heart and humor as its predecessors. Inventive, suspenseful, and touching, Toy Story 3 stays true to the core of the series. The film continues to explore the existential themes of what it means to be loved, inevitably left behind, and to love again. The story of Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear is a dark reflection of Jessie's, providing the film with an engaging three-dimensional villain. The plot takes a particularly dramatic and dark turn during its final act when the toys find themselves trapped on a conveyor belt at a garbage dump, rolling towards a massive incinerator, joining hands as they face certain doom together.
Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack return as Woody, Buzz, and Jessie without missing a beat along with Don Rickles, Estelle Harris, and Wallace Shawn as Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head and Rex. Blake Clark replaces the late Jim Varney as Slinky Dog. Ned Beatty brings an incredible pathos to the role of Lotso. Michael Keaton practically steals the show as a narcissistic Ken doll playing opposite Jodi Benson's surprisingly eloquent Barbie. Timothy Dalton, Kristen Schaal, Jeff Garlin, Pixar regular Bonnie Hunt, and Whoopi Goldberg lend their voices to small but hilarious roles.
Toy Story 3 is another winner for Pixar Animation Studios, striking gold once again with their flagship film series. The film is a funny and touching sequel, worthy to carry on the franchise's legacy as well as the studio's tradition of quality animated films.
JOHN RATZENBERGER AS...
- Hamm the tech-savvy piggy bank
PIXAR INTERCONNECTIVITY
- Wally B. from 1984 Pixar animated short The Adventures of André and Wally B. is featured on Bonnie's backpack
- The ball from 1986 Pixar animated short Luxo, Jr. can been seen on a shelf above Woody before his conversation with the Chatter Telephone, and appears again in the Sunnyside Daycare sandbox
- Mr. Ray from Finding Nemo is on a shelf at Sunnyside Daycare
- A postcard from Carl and Ellie Fredricksen from Up is briefly seen in Andy's room
- Buzz's batteries are produced by the Buy n Large Corporation from WALL-E
FRAGMENTS
- Totoro from Hayao Miyazaki's My Neighbor Totoro is one of the toys in Bonnie's room
007 CONNECTIONS
- Timothy Dalton (James Bond in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill)
MCU CONNECTIONS
- Michael Keaton (Adrian Toomes in Spider-Man: Homecoming)
