Toy Story 3
Continuing my quest to see all the Best Picture nominees before the Academy Awards show... The main question swirling in my mind before watching Toy Story 3 was whether it truly belonged in the Best Picture nominee race. Well, actually, I should say whether it belonged as a nominee, I doubt anyone thinks it has a serious shot at winning the prize. Including me, after having seen it. There is no question that this is a very clever and very well done animated feature. But one of the ten best of 2010? Um, no, sorry.
It definitely is one of the best animated movies I've seen in a while. (Not THE best, that honor still goes to Wes Anderson's fantastic Fantastic Mr. Fox). In comparison to last year's apparently token animated Best Picture nominee, Up, there really isn't much of an argument: Toy Story 3 is better by leaps and bounds. And that's saying something- Up was a pretty good movie in its own right. Here's the deal with both of them, and animated movies in general: they're just lacking something. I'm not saying that they can't be considered among the best movies of the year, but there's just something in my mind that keeps a step or two below the best live-action movies. Is it the screen presence of actors and actresses? The depth of performance? I'm not entirely sure what it is, but I just can't get into animated movies like I do live-action flicks. Let me say this, though, the best animated movies certainly kick the shit out of the run-of-the-mill live-actioners... I'm looking at you, The Tourist. But when comparing the creams of the crops, the best live-action movies blow away animated fare. So, no, I don't think the tenth slot should have gone to Toy Story 3; not over Shutter Island or The Town or Get Low and certainly not over Blue Valentine. Or how about this? How about switching Toy Story 3 out for a truly original and incredibly well done live-actioner that borders on animated: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World? In any event, I don't think Toy Story 3 belongs in the discussion.
I know that sounds pretty darn narrow-minded of me. And it may be true. I don't want to be a...I dunno... genre-ist when it comes to movies, but again, I just can't get all that attached to animated movies...outside of Fantastic Mr. Fox, that is. (Though that might have more to do with Wes Anderson- I'll follow him where ever he's willing to take me- a damn expert storyteller). Regardless, in this case, while I thought it was good, I just don't think Toy Story 3 was everything it was cracked up to be. So literally, in any event, I don't think it merits Best Picture consideration. But, then again, I'm not a member of the Academy.
Anyway, enough of my comparing it to the opinions of other people, and enough of the negative thinking. It REALLY was a good movie. The thing that stands out most about it is how damn well-written and clever the story is. Andy (the little-boy owner of the motley group of toys from the first two movies) is all growed up now and heading to college, the toys, well there headed for a whole heaping dose of uncertainty. One thing leads to another and they're shipped off via donation to a day care center. Adventure ensues when the toys ultimately decide that being with Andy- even if that means waiting around in the attic until Andy's kids come around- is where they're meant to be. So they have to find their way around the misguided forces of a duplicitous teddy bear in order to find their way home.
Great, imaginative stuff. It's the kind of story that could only be dreamed up by folks who have the brains of grown-ups but the hearts of little children. It kind of makes you wonder whether the creative forces behind the movie would be the most fun people to hang out with... or the most annoying. Either way, I was happy to hang out with their product for just shy of two hours. See, the Toy Story franchise was really the first in the new breed of animated movies- or rather the first in the next step of animated movie evolution- both in technology and in the story lines. Traditional animated gave way to computer generated animation and plots that had only brief moments that resonated with both children and adults fell aside for entire movies that genuinely engaged adult and child audiences. The Toy Story movies were always able to harness the power of thinly veiled real, adult issues in a package that was replete with a sense of wonder and adventure that kids were able to get into. Toy Story 3 really manages to bring this feat to perfection. Sure, there are goofy stunts and genuine child-level excitement going on, but the movie also tackles, and tackles well, such weighty issues as sense of purpose, love and loss, and, I suppose, growing up and moving on. All told through the toys point of view. Like I said, a little something for almost anyone watching.
This isn't to say that th movie doesn't stumble at times. It was predictable. It, of course, had to rely on some level of silliness to keep the kids engaged. And it also had a few too many "Full House"-type morality lesson moments. But on the whole even these issues were minimal. I just happen to really dislike the Full House-y moments. I will say this, though. If this was the end of the franchise as I understood it to be (it doesn't have to be, they did leave a window open, I suppose), it was one of the most touching and satisfying endings of a franchise you'll find. And it's always awesome to nail the ending. Couldn't think of a better way to have finished it myself.
In the end, my issue with animated issues may just be that- MY issue. I generally like edgier stuff, more original stuff, things that make me think more. I'm also a big fan of subtlety and nuance... and quirkiness. While there is some of all that to some animated movies- and Toy Story 3 specifically, there may just not be enough. I don't know. Maybe it really does boil down to that certain- je ne sais quoi. But animated movies (at least animated movies that weren't hatched from Wes Anderson's noggin) just don't seem to resonate as well with me. I'm not saying I don't like them. I just don't like them as much. Or, maybe it's just the animated movies I've seen. I don't know. And I don't need to know. I like what I like. Including Toy Story 3 (especially the story/writing- I have no beef with its adapted screenplay nod). Yeah, I don't want to bury that point. I DID like Toy Story 3, it was good, it just wasn't as good- to me- as some folks made it out to be. Nothing wrong with that, to each his or her own.
Grade: A-
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