I think Toy Story 3 is probably my least favourite but I’m not sure that my kids agree.
From my perspective, Toy Story 3 introduces a mean mean toy, it also, until recently, meant saying goodbye to Woody and Buzz. It meant growing up and moving on. It epitomised the end of childhood. With the fourth movie looming maybe those feelings will change and I won’t be as sad when we watch it next.
We’re doing a Toy Story Movie review a week. The first week was Toy Story 1, last week was Toy Story 2 all in anticipation of the fourth movie.
Toy Story 3
The Plot
Up until recently, this was the last of the Toy Story movies. It was the final hurrah from Woody, Buzz and the rest of the Toys.
Andy has grown up and is about to go off to College. Because’s now 17 he’s stopped playing with his toys and most of them have moved on.
There are a few toys left now and Andy needs to decide what to do with his toy. Of course, Woody is going with him to College but what about Buzz, Jessie, Rex, Slinky, Ham and the Potato Heads. Andy isn’t going to throw them away, thank goodness! Andy puts them in a bag designated for the attic.
Accidentally the toys land up in a box going to Sunnyside Daycare. They’re accompanied by Woody and Andy’s sister’s old barbie. Upon arrival the toys meet Lots-O-Huggin Bear, Lotso, who is in charge of Sunnyside and his friends, Big Baby and Ken. The toys initially think this is a great idea because this way they’ll never run out with kids to play with. Someone will always love them.
If you’re already thinking this sounds too scary for your youngest, try Toy Story 1. It’s much better for the younger kids! And you can read the full review here.
Thinking that the toys will be happy there, Woody leaves them and tries to get home but is picked up a little girl called Bonnie who takes Woody home.
Back at Sunnyside the toys discover that Lotso is actually awful. He puts them in the toddler room which isn’t great. Combined with the discovery that Andy never meant for the toys to leave his house, the toys decide to escape and go back home.
All sorts of commotion ensues because Lotso is desperate for them not to leave and will do anything to stop them.
Following quite a dark scene which I will talk to below, the toys manage to escape and get home to Andy. Woody has already made plans for the toys to go to Bonnie, including himself.
Woody leaves a note for Andy, who, thinking the note is from his mother, donates the toys to Bonnie. Andy introduces the toys individually to Bonnie, and to Andy’s surprise, Woody is at the bottom of the donation box and Bonnie recognizes him. Though initially hesitant, Andy passes Woody on to Bonnie, and they play together before he leaves. Woody and the other toys witness Andy’s departure as they begin their new lives with Bonnie.
The Good
The toys continue to band together and look after each other. They remain true and faithful to each other throughout their various ordeals.
One of the funniest scenes in all three movies has to be when Buzz’s settings are changed to Spanish mode. In Spanish impresario mode he falls in love with Jessie which is hilarious.
It’s also pretty sweet when Barbie meets Ken. They seem made for each other. It’s cliche, it’s stereotypic but it’s really cute too. They both love clothes and other ridiculous things.
The bad
Toy Story 3 has to be the scariest of the lot. Not only in terms of the characters but also in terms of some of the scenes.
The Characters
The characters that are introduced in Toy Story 3 are generally quite awful creatures. There is Lotso the dreadful despot. Big Baby who is also a little bit scary but for no reason other than size and lack of coordination.
Lotso is not only a liar but a mean toy who uses toys and treats anyone who tries to disagree with him very badly. He only ever looks out for himself. You see this behaviour on his part repeated throughout the movie after his introduction.
I suppose, in one way, it is good for children to learn not to be like Lotso!
The scary scenes
There is a very long and dark scene at the end of the movie. It starts when the toys start trying to leave the Daycare and Lotso will not let them escape.
The toys are stuck aiming towards an incinerator. They even get to the point where they accept that they’re going to die.
The sad
The kids won’t really understand the implications of Woody growing up and leaving home. It’ll only be you as the adult crying at various intervals in the movie.
One of the saddest parts of the movie comes at the end when Andy takes the toys to Bonnie and he sees Andy in the box too. If you remember he intended to keep Woody and take him to college. Well, after a sigh (cue crying on my part) Andy lets Woody stay with Bonnie.
Age Suitability
Toy Story 3 is not good for young kids.
I think the best of the Toy Story movies for young kids to watch is Toy Story 1.
This movie is probably more suitable for children aged 4 or 5 years of age. At least.
♦
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