Toy Story 3 (2010)

It is incredibly difficult for a franchise to keep up the quality of their output. More often than not, films start to lose steam as their numbers progress, for various reasons. Sometimes, the budget is slashed, other times there is not enough time to work on the whole, the scripts become stale or the original cast is no longer available. 

But then on the other end of the spectrum, you have a series like 'Toy Story' that not only keeps its quality remarkably consistent: they actually get better as the series progresses. Why? Because the third outing is arguably the best in the series. 

After a pretty rousing opening that is a callback to the playtime from the previous two (only this time as a more cinematic experience), we discover that Andy has grown up and is ready to go to college. Only a handful of his toys are left, the core cast we have come to love. They desperately want some playtime, but when realization sinks in that this is not going to happen, they get ready to be shipped to the attic. The only problem is, thanks to a misunderstanding, they almost get thrown in the trash. Because that is a fate worse than death, the toys make a run for a box that is going to be delivered to a daycare centre close by, thus ensuring that they will be played with. Woody wants to return to Andy, but the rest decide to stay. Woody is then discovered by a little girl called Bonnie. However, the others discover that the daycare centre is run by a seemingly kindly old bear called Lotso, but it turns out he runs the toys and their lives with an iron fist. Now the toys need to escape and stake it all. 

See, they tried something new with this one yet again. It is far less about the interaction between toys and people this time around, but is set up like a prison escape film like the classics. And it works. It works for a variety of reasons. The characters we all know and love are back again and stay true to their traits, which makes it easier for new ones to come in. Highlights are without a doubt the menacing Lotso and a hilarious Michael Keaton as Ken from Barbie-fame. It's one of those roles where Keaton's versatility shines through yet again. 

Changing the locale was also a neat idea, as this daycare centre offers up plenty of new environments to faff about in, and boy, do the animators take advantage of this to the Nth degree. 

Even though this film does feel more serious than the previous two, there are some hilarious thigh-slapping ideas. One that - to me - takes the cake, is when during their daring escape, Mr Potatoe Head uses a taco in order to bypass security. If that sounds a little weird, wait until you see it. Your sides will be splitting. 

It is also a lot more tense than before. I don't want to give away too much, but there is a scene set in the landfill that is truly gripping and will almost bring tears to your eyes. So well done there.

I know that there is a 4th installment (we'll get to that as well), but allow me to say that this one has a perfect ending that not only brings some hope for the future, but is also unabashedly poignant. After a joint trip spanning three films, it will leave you a little emotional and teary-eyed.

Or not, as the case may be, but there's no denying it is a well-crafted ending, made to tug at the heartstrings. 

Highly recommended yet again!