Pixar movies have become quite serious of late. Ever since Finding Nemo was released in 2003, comedy began to take a backseat to drama and stronger themes. I do not deny the increasing popularity and critical acclaim of recent Pixar films, a company who have replaced Walt Disney Animation Studios as the top dog in children’s storytelling.
I genuinely enjoyed Finding Nemo, for its great balance between comedy, beautiful storytelling and morality. However, the fun I had watching Monsters Inc. was ten times that, because it was cracking jokes with the pace of Rodney Dangerfield and still had time for a decent plot. Nemo was beautiful, Monsters was a good time; my point here is that, for me, these two movies mark the end of the Pixar gag film (more or less if you don’t count Cars – does anyone count Cars?) and the definite beginning of the serious Pixar film. Wall-E and UP have shone since then, not only as heartfelt kids’ entertainment but supposedly masterful, emotional, storytelling.
Now there is a new film on the horizon that could potentially bring Pixar back to its roots in Toy Story 3. As I’m sure some of you have noticed, trailers for the sequel have been released depicting the next adventure outside Andy’s room for the toys. Time has progressed as many years as ours in the world of Toy Story 3; Andy is now grown up and leaving for college. Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang find themselves a new home in Sunnyside Day Care Centre, put at the mercy of energetic toddlers. Thus, hilarity ensues.
Of course, a new play room means new toys, including a very 80′s Ken doll, a female triceratops and a purple plush bear, who looks suspiciously like a Care Bear. No doubt Sunnyside is more than it seems, as the toys try to find a way to escape to get Woody back home, Andy’s most cherished toy.
Pixar has targeted this film perfectly, covering a broad demographic of viewers. Firstly, the “family” audience: this is a kids film for parent’s and grandparent’s to treat their children, without sacrificing their own enjoyment due to the sharp humour. Secondly, and most interestingly the “young adults”, those who watched the original films as kids and are coming back for some nostalgia.
Being part of the latter, I can certainly say I was excited after hearing another hilarious quip from John Ratzenberger who plays the sarcastic piggy bank, Ham. Tim Allen returns as ‘commanding officer’ Buzz Lightyear and Tom Hanks as the forward thinking, yet emotionally conflicted Woody. If you have a favourite character, it looks like it will very well appear in Toy Story 3, with Jessie, Slinky, Rex, the Potato Heads and many more featuring in the current trailers.
Providing the film’s plot doesn’t descend into a heavy thematic exploration of lost youth or otherwise, it can safely be said that Toy Story 3 is looking to become another amusing “old school” Pixar adventure.
Watch the trailer below:
