Toy Story 3

Meditations on impermanence and irrelevance aren't usually the stuff of G-rated movies, particularly those of the animated American variety, but these themes are two of the many reasons why Toy Story 3, directed by Pixar vet Lee Unkrich, is a remarkably affecting and compelling film. Naturally, a whip-smart script, stunning CG animation, and outstanding characters also figure heavily into the movie, which finds Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen), and a handful of their remaining plastic companions facing the attic or the dump as their owner prepares for college. Fortunately, the toys wind up in the rainbow-hued Sunnyside daycare center, where the prospect of always being played with seems as initially pleasant as the berry scent of the facility's fuzzy leader, Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear (Ned Beatty). However, not all is right at Sunnyside, leading to engaging and perfectly paced sequences that showcase the film's subtly used 3D presentation. While it appeared unlikely that a second Toy Story sequel would be up to par with its adored predecessors, in some ways, TS3 tops earlier installments since it trades in slightly awkward human antagonists for villainous playthings that are, oddly enough, more threatening, complex, and convincing. By retaining everything that made the first two Toy Story movies great and adding elements, philosophical and otherwise, that only enhance the series, Toy Story 3 readily ascends to the highest level of Pixar films, making it immediately classic and utterly indispensable.