Poised to make 10 kajillion dollars this weekend, Toy Story 3 doesn’t disappoint. As my colleague Jared rather emphatically stated, “What do you need to review? It’s Pixar!! That’s all you need to know!” Relax, folks: yes, it’s good. Very good, in fact. Why the heck we had to wait 11 years, I don’t know.
I’ll keep it short: Andy, the toys’ owner, is now 17 and ready for college. The toys are troubled about their uncertain future, and almost get thrown out with the trash. They end up at a daycare center where the toddlers are hard on new toys, and a strawberry-scented bear named Lotso (Ned Beatty) harder still. Much of the fun comes when Woody leads the troops over the wall. Also good for giggles are the Mattel recruits: fashion-plate Ken, besotted Barbie, and the Dream House. “Disney Digital 3D” is impressive but not really needed. Be warned: this one tugs at the heartstrings more than you expect. Preceded by the expected Pixar short, “Day and Night,” also good.