Toy Story 3

 Toy Story 3
 PopcornScale Rating: Gourmet Popcorn
Bottom line: Toy Story 3 is both highly entertaining and deeply moving. It will bring back old memories and make you ponder the future.

I watched the first two Toy Story movies when they were released in theaters in 1995 and 1999, respectively. They are deeply ingrained in my memories of early childhood. The unquestioning sense of wonder they made me feel when I was young is something I never want to let go of. Luckily for me, Toy Story 3 exceeded my highest expectations and brought me back to those early memories. It is easily an instant classic and one of Pixar's best.

Right from the opening scene, the movie made references and connections to the previous movies in the series. From the use of the old soundtrack to the familiar, crazy antics of beloved characters, Toy Story 3 felt like a natural continuation of the series. It had the same spirit and magic as the previous movies while still maturing the characters and the storyline to show that time has passed.

The toy's worst fear seems to be unfolding before them. Andy is heading off to college and so he is unpacking his belongings and throwing away the old things he doesn't need anymore. He has not played with the toys in ages, and they feel a sense of abandonment. They wonder if Andy really loves them anymore. He has thrown all his toys into the "Attic" box, keeping only one toy to take to college: Woody.

But when the cowboy sees that Andy's mom accidentally thinks the "Attic" box is trash, he leaves Andy's room and follows the other toys on their misadventures which take them everywhere from Sunnyside daycare to a child's house to the garbage dump.

This journey is constantly hilarious. Some highlights include Mr. Potato Head becoming a tortilla, a Ken doll appearing to wear high heels, a screaming monkey toy, and countless others. I actually choked on my candy from laughing so hard.

However, the journey is also very bittersweet. The theme of moving on is one that will resonate deeply with people of all ages.  Part of the sadness, for me, came from  remembering all those childhood memories of this movie, that I can never truly return to. Similarly, the toys must face the prospect of Andy growing up and the emotions that go along with that.

The climax of this movie shows the enduring friendship the toys have formed. The final end scene to to the series is beautifully done and epitomizes the word "bittersweet". I was holding back tears even as I knew that this was the best ending for everyone in the story. Let's just say that being at the same stage of my life as Andy is in this movie, it hit close to home.

Overall, if you saw and enjoyed the first two Toy Story movies, you will love this. It is a must-see worth every penny of the admission ticket. It will almost certainly make you laugh and cry. It is a movie that manages to include elements of both fantasy and reality, and will bring out the child in anyone. The clever, realistic animation is only outdone by the immense amount of heart this movie has. Don't miss it.