Saw Toy Story 3 tonight, and it made me cry. Spoilers within...

[Danger Mouse]

I can't believe Pixar. Every time a new Pixar movie comes out, I think to myself...'oh, this can't possibly be as good as the other ones. This is probably the one that's gonna suck.' and then I see it and I find myself eating my words.

Toy Story 3, especially, seemed like a potential weak link. It's not often the third piece of a trilogy is particularly strong. I could not have been more wrong. Toy Story 3 surpassed all of my expectations to become not just the best of the Toy Story movies in my mind, but one of the best Pixar has put out.

The emotional connection this film makes you feel to the characters is ridiculously strong. The incinerator scene in particular is so intense and emotional, I never thought I'd see something that dark in a Pixar film. The back story for the villain, Lotso, was also very moving...one of the best sequences in the movie. However, the real kicker was the scene at the end between Bonnie and Andy. I couldn't hold back tears then. It was one of the most bittersweet moments I've ever seen in a film. And wasn't Bonnie adorable?

Ned Beatty was fantastic as Lotso. I loved how menacing a sweet-talking teddy bear managed to be, and having an extremely creepy giant baby doll as your main henchman helps. Michael Keaton was great as Ken. Hilarious character. The returning cast was as strong as ever. Jim Varney (RIP) is missed. The actors do a great job of communicating the connection between the characters, and that's why it works so well. You feel that these toys BELONG together, and that makes you invested in their fate.

Also, loved the credit sequence, showing the day care center after Lotso's downfall...as the paradise it was intended to be.

I'm glad that I saw this beautiful movie...they couldn't have wrapped the Toy Story franchise up better. It was a funny, exciting, bittersweet conclusion. I don't know how Pixar does it, but they keep doing it.


What did the rest of you think? :hi:

[siligut]

1. Loved it! Mr. Gut even went with me.

My DH usually won't see an animated film in the theaters, he is stuck in the "must be a cartoon" mindset. However, Toy Story 3 has a 9.1 rating on IMDB and is getting great reviews, so we saw it in IMAX 3D and loved it. Your analysis is right on target, I don't have anything to add.

[Danger Mouse]

2. 99% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Out of over 200 reviews, only 3 were negative.

That's amazing. :hi:

[OmahaBlueDog]

3. Damn Pixar

I hate crying

I hate crying at movies

I despise crying in front of my kids

I especially hate crying at animated movies, which combines the hatred of crying at movies and the hatred of crying in front of my kids

I don't know about you, but my eyes overtopped when Andy started to hand over Jesse, and then handed over Buzz, Hamm, and on, and on, until he gave up Woodie

[Danger Mouse]

4. The part where Bonnie reaches for Woody and Andy instinctively yanks his hand away...

and then reconsiders and hands him over...

does me in.

Totally.

:cry:

[msanthrope]

10. Pixar had me bawling 15 minutes into "Up." Gonna see TS3 this week!

[demtenjeep]

5. I liked it

there was a lot of adult humor too

[tblue]

6. Loved it to pieces. Even the Hayley Barbour bear.

But Ken stole the show. The whole part about growing up and moving on tore me up. Just like a dagger in my heart. But Andy was so sweet in the way he introduced his toys to Bonnie. Yeah, I thought it was wonderful. I hate to cry, but this one really did me in.

[jobycom]

7. I was practically sobbing at the Andy and Bonnie scene.

I mean, I tear up easily at movies, but I was literally trying not to sob, and that's very rare. When he looked in the box the last time...

Yeah, one of the most emotional movies--in a light-hearted vein, anyway--I've ever seen. Every scene worked. I started losing it sometime when Woody was watching Andy and his mom in Andy's room near the end, and never recovered.

My two kids--11 and 17--hated the first two Toy Stories. The first one gave them nightmares with all the creepy dolls. The second one they just didn't really get. Neither one wanted to see this one, but both went with me, anyway. They both loved it. They couldn't stop talking about it afterwards, and they both want to watch the earlier ones now.

The two best filmmakers in the world right now make animated films. Pixar and Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli just never miss. They have such a magical view of the world, and they make films focused on the story and the characters (which are always perfectly intertwined) instead of the merchandising and the formulas and the hot box office stars so many other films are crafted around. Every time I expect them to fall flat, they exceed what I could have hoped for. I'm still not over the scrapbook scene in Up! and now I'm dealing with the box scene in this? We're seeing the golden age of animation.

Rottentomatoes had them at a 100% rating for a while, until a couple of critics (probably Lounge posters :) ) trashed it just to feel cool. One I don't think even saw it. Now it's at 99%. My favorite line from a review (ever): "On a scale of one to ten, Toy Story 3 goes to infinity, and beyond!" I thought it was cute until I saw the movie. Now I think it was perfect. :)

Anyway, that's my opinion of the movie, since you asked. :hi:

[Phentex]

13. I cried reading a review. Now, imagine what the movie will do!...

I'm a kid in an adult's body and I had a few toys that were very special to me (the ones that weren't hand-me-downs but MINE, lol).

I won't see the movie until I'm ready for a good cry.

[jobycom]

19. Ohhh, you're in for it.

It's not just about the toys, either.

[TommyO]

8. I went to see it with my niece and nephew

and there were adults sobbing out loud in the theater, I was merely crying silently, choking up.

I went to see the movie a second time and was just as moved, but saw more of the details that Pixar always puts into their movies. For example, when Buzz' battery cover is removed, the batteries are "Buy n Large" brand batteries. In the bathroom scene with the janitor, there's a can of air freshener on top of the toilet, something that wouldn't be missed if it weren't there, but it does register and make a scene more complete.

[jdp349]

9. Looks like Pixar locked down Oscar for best animated film already

God damn 99% on rotten tomatoes? I'm gonna go see it tonight, those kind of numbers just don't lie.

I remember after watching the first 10 minutes of Up, and the opening life montage scene realizing the emotional power animation can pull off. Pixar has yet to make a dud. Some of their movies are better than others but they're all quality.

[Fire Walk With Me]

11. "I never thought I'd see something that dark in a Pixar film."

In The Incredibles, a sequence of heroes dying due to the failings of capes, entertains. Pulls laughs. Many, many Supers died at the hands of Syndrome and his machines. Elastigirl's talk with the children, that these men will KILL THEM if they get a chance...and they definitely try, over and over.

And most importantly, the overall ethic of Disney films (recent at least) is the main plot point: Those who are greater than average are reviled and forced by the majority, into lives as average beings. It is illegal to be Super. The majority do not care what this may do to them, about the misery and horror of forcing a square peg into a majority round hole, so to speak.

It is about the hatred of the majority for anything superior to them, and their efforts to destroy or at minimum, emasculate all they fear. This is the same message of A Bug's Life, Toy Story (Buzz could FLY, he could, and they tore him down to the level of a toy...I don't care if he IS a toy and didn't know; he was far beyond them, and they ate his soul), etc.

My favorite Pixar films, seemingly those without so much Disney interference, all salute the excellence of the individual, of the special, of those seeking to move beyond the masses into their own greatest level of self-expression. And the resulting Magic, and its extremely positive effect upon said masses. Ratatouille, The Incredibles, and to an extent, WALL*E (all beings WALL*E encounters subsequently increase in awareness, self-expression/new depths, and self-determination).

Any film about the destruction of the individual for the benefit of the masses and consensus reality is DARK. Much less (in WALL*E) the apocalyptic results of consumerism, causing the entirety of Earth to only be able to support roaches, not even a simple plant, for some 700 years...the reduction of mankind into larvae, never moving from their transport chairs (it is implied that they even shit in these, probably involving self-cleaning suits of some sort). "I didn't know we had a pool." The dangers of technology as master, not servant (a willing exchange). WALL*E is horrifyingly dark. And magnificently positive at the same time, to the extent that the darkness does not creep...

And Disney's astonishing level of cross-marketing involved in TS3 is truly gut-busting, disgusting. "Buy me for Christmas..." Fuck Disney. This is the very Commodity Culture shown as being world-destroying in WALL*E. Perhaps a subtle SLAP at Disney. One may only hope...

It sounds like Toy Story 3 is nearly "Animal Farm". Am I correct in this?


Ah...post 8 in this thread states: "For example, when Buzz' battery cover is removed, the batteries are 'Buy n Large' brand batteries."

THAT is dark. Considering the entire message of WALL*E...

[Danger Mouse]

15. I didn't find 'The Incredibles' to be that dark, for some reason.

Though I guess Wall-E is the darkest pixar movie. And also my favorite.

I mean, look at my sigline. :P

As for the marketing....I try to ignore it. It's obnoxious and takes away from a fantastic movie. Disney is a loathsome company, and Pixar is too good for them. Disney's best stuff in recent years has come from their collaborations with other companies (notably the Kingdom Hearts games and the Pixar films).

And as for TS3 being like Animal Farm...well it is and it isn't. I guess the 'some animals are more equal than others' theme can be found in the way Lotso runs the day care, though his character is given motivations other than pure greed. He's driven by bitterness mostly. Anyway, the movie is mostly about the transition to adulthood (Andy and Bonnie), togetherness (the bond between the main characters), the loneliness of rejection (Lotso's storyline), fear of death (the junkyard), and loyalty (Woody and Andy).

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

21. "They ate his soul"??? BULLCRAP. he GAINED a soul by acknowledging reality!

And by realizing he was an equal to the others.

If anything, the message is the OPPOSITE one from "The Incredibles".

[Fire Walk With Me]

23. He could fly. He was more than they were. They reduced thim to their level.

The message of the mediocre masses over the excellent individual is very Disney, especially recently. See A Bug's Life (versus the similar Antz, which is the polar opposite, with the individual leading the masses to something better).

In "Cars", the immature individual gains maturity and a place in the group who were living at a higher level than he. In "Toy Story", they tear down someone excellent to their mediocre level.

If in Toy Story 3, Buzz is truly seen with Buy'N Large batteries, it speaks much about the mediocre overcoming the excellent as that future is set for destruction through greed and ignorance, selfishness and irresponsibility. The "people" in WALL*E are the outcome of the triumph of the masses. It takes an excellent individual to kick over the anthill and bring things back to where they should be.

:shrug:

[jobycom]

27. He couldn't fly, he just believed he could.

They didn't tear him down, they cured him of mental illness, and when he was cured, he really could fly. Did you see the movie or just read some failed English major's "Review" of it?

[TommyO]

30. Oh please, Pixar includes details from other Pixar movies in their features

What this speaks to is your need to attack, not Pixar's supposed agenda of mediocrity.

[jobycom]

28. Uh... No.

Buzz couldn't fly. Disney films are not about tearing down the individual (exactly the opposite, usually, since "Beauty and the Beast."). Pixar films were not more about individuals before Disney got involved (Toy Story was their first film). Toy Story 3 was not about merchandising. Toy Story 3 is not nearly "Animal Farm."

Toy Story 3 attacks consumerism pretty much as thoroughly as Wall-E, since the whole story was a criticism of a throwaway society. The "products" had souls that bled when disposed of. In fact, the director and writer of Wall-E wrote Toy Story 3.

You're trying to squeeze Pixar into some Ayn Rand interpretation that doesn't fit. Disney and Pixar and most kids films are always about characters striving to overcome the doubts society forces on them. They are striving to become the most they can. Sometimes that's super (The Incredibles, Monsters Inc, Hercules, Mulan, Lilo and Stitch), sometimes that's an individual achievement (Ratatoullie, Pocahontas), sometimes that's working to fulfill a unique role in a group (Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Brother Bear). But the point of all is that an individual should fight the attempts to force them to conform.

[siligut]

32. This is a good response to FWWM.

You offer a rational interpretation of TS3, allowing the poster a better, more postive alternative to what the Ayn Rands of the world pushed into young minds.

[TommyO]

29. So, now attention to detail, the batteries, is a sign of a nefarious agenda?

[Paladin]

12. Absolutely Loved It. Perfect Ending. (n/t)

[lightningandsnow]

14. I loved it!

Bawled my eyes out at the end.

[Danger Mouse]

16. Good to see you :)

Hope you're well. :hug:

[lightningandsnow]

22. I'm doing well!

Better than I have been in ages! And it's good to be back here. :hug:

[deutsey]

17. A very appropriate ending to the Toy Story trilogy.

I teared up at the scene when the toys held hands as they slid toward the incinerator.

:thumbsup:

[Beaverhausen]

18. Oh yeah- loved it. We all cried.

I cried reading this thread. Pixar just keeps making better and better films.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

20. Bonnie IS my daughter, age, imagination, personality, EVERYTHING.

The only thing different is eye color. So you can imagine she got me REAL good.

[jobycom]

33. Yeah, I imagine. She was a great character.

You thought she was going to be a brat at first, then she turned out to be one of the heroes.

My oldest daughter, who is 17, reminded me of Andy, and since she's a year away from college, there were some transference tears there for me, too.

I saw two movies that made me think of my younger daughter. The first was "Lilo and Stitch," when my daughter was going through some discipline issues. The second was "Bridge to Terabithia." I guess I was the one person in the world who had never heard how the book ended. I still can't even look at the DVD cover for that film! :)

[Odin2005]

24. I balled my eyes out watching it.

:cry:

[soleiri]

25. My sons are 14 and 16

They scoffed at the idea of seeing the movie.
Insisting that it's for kids.
I gently reminding them that I saw the first 2 with them as an adult.
We went tonight and they were practically jumping out of their seats with excitement.
We absolutely loved it.


Afterwards, however, my oldest starting talking about how the junk yard symbolized Hell and about the Totalitarian regime of Lotso, etc, etc.

[RandomThoughts]

26. I think Lotso

Is a comment on Lots wife, was she the one turned to salt when looking back?

That would be my guess. LOL


There is a whole lot of people that think many things are like that story when they think about not looking back.

[proteus_lives]

31. I choked up.

So many good parts.

I damn near cried at the incinerator scene, when they all held hands.....

The scene with Andy and his mom reminded me of my mom. I'm the youngest and I was the last one to leave the house. My dad said after I left, she just cried for a couple days because "all her chicks were gone."

Lotso was a great villain. The best bad guys aren't pure monsters from the dark but normal beings who became monsters.

The scene with Andy and Bonnie was perfection. The passing on of the toys was ritualized, as it should be between children. That afternoon was the last day of Andy's childhood. What nearly sent me over the edge was when Bonnie had Woody wave at Andy and he sucked in his breath. And then when Woody said "So long, partner."

Such a wonderful, wonderful film.

[whogasa736]

34. cool stuff here

spoilers within .

http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/movie-talk-toy-story-3-easter-eggs.html

[deutsey]

35. I'm a huge fan of Toy Story 1 and 2

and was so pleased with how 3 lived up to my expectations and provided a very fitting and moving ending to the trilogy.

:thumbsup:

[deutsey]

36. I'm a huge fan of Toy Story 1 and 2

and was so pleased with how 3 lived up to my expectations and provided a very fitting and moving ending to the trilogy.

:thumbsup: