A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: Toy Story 3 (3D)

Date Viewed: 6/23/10

Details:

Voice talent: Tom Hanks (Woody)

Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear)

Joan Cusack (Jessie)

Ned Beatty (Lotso)

Don Rickles (Mr. Potato Head)

Michael Keaton (Ken)

Wallace Shawn (Rex)

John Ratzenberger (Hamm)

Estelle Harris (Mrs. Potato Head)

Jodi Benson (Barbie)

Timothy Dalton (Mr. Pricklepants)

Bonnie Hunt (Dolly)

Whoopi Goldberg (Stretch)

Written & directed by: Lee Unkrich

Score: +1/2

The Review: Even after 15 years -- would you believe it's time for grown-up Andy to go away to college? -- these characters are still as fresh and funny as they were in 1995, when they first rolled off the render servers at Pixar. Granted, there is the recurrent theme of aging that will echo with many boomers whose bones are starting to ache -- perhaps not the middle-aged spread or humor ofThe Incredibles -- but this background lends a certain poignancy to the film. But the tongue is firmly in the cheek of many a voice talent, with a few acerbic cuts sprinkled in to flavor the humor for the adults in the audience.

In this third (and likely final) outing, the problem is that the toys need to be dealt with: Andy must clean up his room in preparation for departure. Do they get trashed, or donated to a good cause? Or are there other alternatives? What does happen when the playfulness is gone -- or does it ever really disappear? How can there ever be a grumpy toy? The answers to these questions will be revealed -- and you'll have a wonderful time in the bargain.

It's not all sweetness and light -- this is a substantially darker Toy Story than the previous entries -- but there is humor throughout, along with cliffhangers and chase scenes galore. Barbie finds Ken, and Ken turns out to be a conceited prig. And the three-eyed aliens return for an encore! Hoorah!

(29-Aug-10)

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