The Gown Student Newspaper at Queen's University Belfast

REVIEW: Toy Story 3

Flashing back to the roots of the Toy Story narrative, we are treated to all the same aspects of warm and heartfelt storytelling that makes its predecessors such treasured classics. With a day-care nursery as the main setting of this plot, there’s the opportunity for Pixar’s creative minds to have a lot more fun developing so many new characters and re-working those who have already found firm places in our hearts. Amongst the newly introduced are a clown called Chuckles, the sinister Lotso Hugs bear who smells of strawberries but is far from sweet, a gambling octopus, a monkey with cymbals who takes the role of surveillance, and Big Baby the heavyweight.

BY LAUARA SHEARER

Unsurprisingly we are given the option of watching in 3D format, the same audience dazzling gimmick that passed mass audiences by during the fifties and again in the eighties. Speaking out about why they’ve used this format to their advantage, Pixar have stated that they wanted to offer fans something completely new in 3D. Instead of just giving off the normal spectacle tricks of things appearing to come out of the screen before your eyes, they have developed a style that perfectly suits Pixar. One of the first films enjoyable in 3D, it’s possible to be immersed in the scenery with the characters as the plot commences. To keep young viewers focused there are those moments of eye-popping props, but overall the feel is much more sophisticated.

Toy Story 3 is a lot more themed towards older viewers, perhaps eager parents, or film buffs that grew up with Woody and Buzz, with hugely admirable genre referencing. Touching on the darker tones of film noir, gang crime and jailbreak, as always these are used cleverly and bulked out with quick gags and a sharp wit that keeps the mood light. Definitely there for the more mature viewers is the Barbie meets Ken subplot, hugely entertaining and it plays wonderfully on all the stereotypes we expect.

It is difficult to stretch a critical eye far enough to find flaws with any Pixar film and this is no exception. Like any decent sequel should do, it re-ignites all the joys of the original, suitably adds to the enjoyment and somehow makes it even more impressive. Take the whole family, go with your friends and then go once more for sheer indulgence.

Tags: Gown, Laura shearer, newspaper, qub, Queen's, queen's university, student, students, The Gown, Toy Story

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 at 12:15 pm and is filed under Arts + Ents. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.