Movie Review : Toy Story 3

As we stood up to leave the theatre, the lady in the neighboring seat, turned to me and asked, “When did you last see a movie theatre which was this full ?” I have to say it’s been a while. Because all the seats, even the one right up in front of the screen, where you have to turn your head every time a character walks by, were full of people. We’d just managed to snag the last few seats on the incline, because we desis you know, must sit as far away from the screen as possible (it’s a balcony-seat-hangover).

Toy Story 3 is doing fabulously well. Of course it couldn’t have hurt that Sunday was Father’s Day, and Google did the neck-tie-thingy, and everyone needed a film which celebrated the whole family-belongingness-mushiness. What I am surprised at is the rave reviews that TS3 is garnering; NYT declared it critics pick (what is up with that – first Raavan and then this ?). It’s not that TS3 is uninteresting – my kids liked it; it is just that it is not engaging form an adult point of view.

Disney and Pixar are amazing. And I mean that – the detail, the depth, the absolutely stunning imagery on screen is a treat to watch. But the cherry on top is the fact that their films (at least the ones that do whoppingly well) are entertaining for the kids and the adults (Ice Age, Nemo, Up, etc.). Not so with this film. In fact I was beset with boredom uptil about a third of the film, and Thank Goodness that it improved after.

So, here are the bare bones : Andy the owner of all the toys (Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz LightYear (Tim Allen) et al) is all grown up and leaving for college. Having to decide what do with his old toys, he picks Woody to go with him to college and decides to keep the rest in the attic. Unfortunately, they get donated to a daycare, ruled by Lots-of-huggin’ bear. Lotso banishes the new toys to the Caterpillar room, where they are ill-treated by the toddlers. And now the toys must try and get out and return to Andy’s . . .

As I said the film improved with time. It got atleast mildly interesting with the Toys planning their escape, and Lotso reconnoitering the daycare with his state-of-the-art cameras, and screaming monkey. Still, it’s very much been there-done that; love and friendship served in yet another animated package. The setting and the problems of the film were too juvenile to elicit interest from beyond the 15-year old mark, and it took a while just settling down and giving us the basics in the beginning.

I would rate it just about average (the first Toy Story was infinitely better). I think the film is well marketed and the hype is growing. Of course if the little ones like it, the parents are bound to go in droves. TS3 is all set to have a very successful run.