Toy Story 3 (2010)

Toy Story 3 (2010)

10/10

Starring the voice of

Tom Hanks

Tim Allen

Joan Cusack

Directed by Lee Unkrich

After the dual success of Toy Story (1995) and Toy Story 2 (1999), when the production of Toy Story 3 was announced, many like me weren’t surprised. However, I didn’t expect much, wondering what the next adventure for this crew would be. When the movie began with shots of a young Andy, I found myself smiling—it was heartwarming to see him so happy and his toys complete. Then it faded to show Andy all grown up and ready for college, with the toys eager for some playtime with him. This new Toy Story animation explored a stage where the toys’ owner is too old to play with them, and our beloved toys are mistakenly donated to a daycare. Woody, however, wants them to return to Andy, who plans to move them to the attic.

The new story of Toy Story 3 made me raise an eyebrow as I eagerly wondered what would happen next. From that point on, I knew this was going to be a fun ride—and a fun ride it truly was. The removal of some old characters and the addition of new ones added to the excitement. Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story 3 had it all. Then came the climactic scene near the end, where all of Andy’s toys are at a junkyard, facing certain doom. They hold hands, ready to go down together. I remember the feeling I had watching that scene: “Something better happen to save these guys.” The tension was palpable, and I found myself holding my breath, completely invested in their fate.

With Disney’s acquisition of Pixar in 2006, John Lasseter rose to oversee all Disney animation production. This gave the production crew more breathing room, unlike the tight schedule and back-and-forth negotiations they faced during Toy Story 2. John Lasseter, who directed the first two Toy Story films, stepped down from directing this one because he was busy with Cars 2. Instead, Lee Unkrich, co-director of Toy Story 2, took the helm as sole director. He did an excellent job, as this movie stands proudly beside the first two, holding its head high. The seamless blend of humor, heart, and high-stakes adventure proved that the franchise still had plenty of magic left.

Toy Story 3 won Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. It became the highest-grossing animated film ever, earning over $1 billion. If you’ve taken the time to watch the first two Toy Story films, there’s no reason you shouldn’t see this one. It’s a heartfelt, thrilling, and beautifully crafted conclusion to a trilogy that redefined animated storytelling. The emotional depth, stunning visuals, and unforgettable characters make it a must-watch for fans of all ages.