Starring:    Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Michael Keaton, Ned Beatty, Joan Cusack

Directed:    Lee Unkrich

There are very few trilogies out there that stay strong from beginning to end. Star Wars, Lord Of The Rings are prime examples. But there are some that fall at the last hurdle and make you resent them for trying to hard with one notable example being The Godfather. I suppose you could call it the law of diminishing returns.

Thankfully though, Toy Story has started strong and finished strong with a superb end to a wonderful, funny and heart lifting story.  Since its inception, Toy Story has gone from strength to strength and the only question you can ask is, why they waited this long for the third one.

Not that the wait wasn’t worth it.  Intelligently John Lasseter and co at Pixar have also dated the story with Andy now all grown up and getting ready for college and Woody, Buzz and the boys are resigned to spending their days in the toy chest, aching to be played with.

Andy decides that he will take Woody to college with him and as for the rest of the gang; they are on their way to a daycare center for kids. 

Upon arriving though, they soon find out that not all is at it seems, with the center being run by a cruel and sadistic teddy bear called Lotso, voiced by the wonderful Ned Beatty, who decides to put the toys in with the younger children who do all manner of things to them apart from actually play with them.

When Woody realises this, a plan is hatched to make a daring escape, so along with Buzz, Ham, The Potato Heads and Barbie, they make plans to get back to Andy, whom they are sure is missing them.

This is a wonderful tale of hope and friendship and there is not one complaint that I could level at this movie.  The script is funny and entertaining and the story is enough to keep you on the edge of your seat throughout.

As before Tom Hanks and Tim Allen voice Woody and Buzz and although some of the side characters from the previous movies have been jettisoned, the new characters that are introduced are enough to keep you watching.

A special note goes out to Ken, played by Michael Keaton, who instantly falls in love with Barbie but has a secret agenda and has a wardrobe that most women would die for.  Also, keep a sharp eye on the garbage collecting man.  He is Sadistic Sid from the first movie!

Although the scriptwriters did face a heavy task in deciding how to end this, they chose the right path and the final heartbreaking goodbye will definitely have you reaching for the hankies.

A triumph for animation and a triumph for Pixar.

The Toys Are Definitely Back In Town!

5/5