Toy Story 3

Director: Lee Unkrich
Cast: (Voices of) Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack and Michael Keaton
Releasing in cinemas: 24 June 2010
Rated: PG

Let's get ready to rumbllllle! In the green corner, it's DreamWorks' Shrek Forever After; and in the blue corner, it's the successor to the reigning heavyweight champion, Disney-Pixar's Toy Story 3. Yes folks, with school holidays just about upon us, this is the contest that promises knock-'em-down, drag-'em-out action - especially at the box office.

Although the winner won't be decided for a little while yet, I think the jolly green ogre might have a real fight on his hands, as Woody, Buzz and the gang look ready to score plenty of telling blows.

It's hard to believe that it's been 15 years since the original Toy Story announced Pixar as an animation innovator (and 11 years since its sequel). Since then, they've brought us a remarkable sequence of animated features which include films that have delighted critics and audiences alike. Indeed, some of them have become classics; and among those I would count the likes of The Incredibles, Finding Nemo and Ratatouille. Well, get set for another because Toy Story 3 knocks it out of the park.

Lee Unkrich, a co-director on Finding Nemo, takes over the director's chair from John Lasseter for this third and probably final installment of the Toy Story franchise. The transition however is seamless, with Unkrich achieving a very similar look and feel to Lasseter's films.

Technically, the film has all the bells and whistles you'd expect, including 3D digital projection in enabled cinemas. But for all the technical wizardry, Toy Story 3 features that one vital element that distinguishes Pixar films from those of their competitors; a great script. This script continues the themes from the first two films; and if anything ramps up both the action and the emotional tug. Although the latter element might slide on by younger viewers, I expect few adults won't have a lump in the throat by the time the credits roll.

The story (fittingly) takes place many years after the events of Toy Story 2. Andy, the young boy who owns the toys of the title is now all grown up and is now off to college. That prompts a clean-out of his room, with the toys naturally rather concerned about where they're going to end up. It looks like Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) might be kept as a reminder of home for Andy at college, but everyone else - including Buzz (Tim Allen) and Jesse (Joan Cusack) - are destined for storage in the attic. But a mix-up sees everyone end up at a local day-care centre. They're greeted by a big cuddly teddy bear named Lotso (Ned Beatty). Things seem great - being a day-care centre, all the toys are played with every day. No one gets tossed out or put in storage. But not all is as it seems. The toys are put in the toddler room, where the ravages of the tots soon have them looking for an escape route. Worse still, Lotso is not the warm and fuzzy bear he seems; and in fact rules the centre with an iron fist.

Those nostalgic for the classic Toy Story characters can rest assured that they still form the core of the tale. Kids who've grown up with the franchise will find that it still has the old magic, even if those kids are now in their teens or later. I also suspect that the adults who took those kids to the earlier films will be just as - if not more - chuffed to see their favourites return.

The trademark humour is still there too. The script is so clever, and has such a light touch, there's little chance anyone won't have a smile on their face at least half the time the movie is running.

Tom Hanks once more leads the voice talent, ably backed up by Tim Allen, Wallace Shawn, Jan Cusack and co. Of the new arrivals, Ned Beatty is effective as Lotso; but the real highlight (at least for me) was the appearance of Michael Keaton as Ken (as in Barbie and Ken) who steals the show with his comic timing.

Toy Story 3 may well be the last time we see these characters on the big screen. If that's the case, then this is a very fitting way to go out. Another triumph for Pixar, this film is as brilliant as its predecessors and is sure to be a highlight for all ages these school holidays.

David Edwards