U Said It

As I sit in a darkened movie theater with some of my friends, my anticipation and excitement grows for the night’s film:  Toy Story 3, a long-awaited continuation to the beloved franchise I grew up with.  Some sequels, in my previous experience, have failed to match the standards set by their predecessors.  So, does Toy Story 3 meet those standards?  No—it exceeds them.

 Toy Story 3 follows Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and other familiar faces as they find a new home after certain circumstances force them to live in a daycare, where they meet new toys and rebuild their lives.  Without giving too much away about the film, I will say this: this movie is excellent.  It captures the humor and emotion conveyed by the previous films and then some, and children and adults alike will enjoy the film for its positive messages.  While its primary focus is the enjoyment and rapture of its young viewers, the film also has underlying themes, messages that focus on the progression of life and moving forward despite the overwhelming nature of certain circumstances.  Like many of Pixar’s previous movies (Up and Wall-E, for instance), the movie uses enticing visuals and appealing storylines to capture the viewers attention.  The movie is a warm reminder as to why I did love and still do love the series.  It is smart.  It is funny.  It is poignant.  Toy Story 3 is more than just a children’s movie—it is a formidable conclusion to one of the best series in modern cinema.

                 By William Goodwin