Toy Story 3

Pixar's latest has been churning up the box office both sides of the pond since it's release. Hardly a surprise you may think, but John Lasseter will be more than happy when you consider that Toy Story 3 is easily the weakest of the Toy Story trilogy and that Toy Story 3 almost feels like a backward step, especially of terms of the animation, since the spectacular Up. So, why it's still raking in the bucks and quids? Two reasons: One, it's a Pixar film and it's still great. Two, it's in the dreaded 3D format. From memory I believe that Toy Story 2 was originally mooted to be a straight to video / DVD effort, but when Pixar realised what a gem they were developing it was pushed up to a cinema release and the rest is history. If anything, Toy Story 3 feels like the film that could have been straight to DVD. However, there's profit to be had, and when you attach the 3D aspect to the respected cash cow that is the Toy Story series, you're going to be rolling in it. Cynical? No doubt, but can you argue against it? In terms of the film, we now have Andy preparing to leave to go to college and due to a mix-up the majority of the toys find themselves at a day-care centre. Their initial joy at being played with again soon turns to horror as the tots daily rampage of destruction leaves them licking their wounds and thinking of the better times with Andy. The themes of this film are of loss, moving on and growing up. Interestingly it appears to be a film where your emotions will differ depending on whether you are a parent or not. Whilst the feeling of loss is meant to be in respect of toys being abandoned, it appeared to me to be more of a reference to the relationship between Andy and his mother and younger sister. Pixar has been accused at times of some cheese, which appeared to have been put to bed with the emotional punch that was Up. I'm not sure they can claim the problem hasn't resurfaced here. However, whilst you can almost accuse this of being Pixar by numbers, what numbers they are. Fantastic animation, scenes of joy and horror (the surely nightmare inducing for kids toy baby has to be seen to be believed), a hilarious running joke concerning Buzz's factory settings and the usual climatic edge of the seat chase scene finale mean it's another triumph for Pixar, if not quite reaching the heights of previous efforts.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict
Depending on your age and child status your enjoyment of this may vary. However, you will be entertained regardless as Pixar just never seem to make a bad film. Rating: 7/10.