I love movies, I always have and I have a feeling I always will. In 1993, I was 4 years old. My parents took me to see Jurassic Park. I loved the film. I still to this day hold Jurassic Park in high regard. I'm writing this to get the picture across that there are films that I love in my life and I remember fondly. One of these films was 1995's Toy Story.
I'm not going to go into the experience of seeing the film, but I will say that it made a lasting impression on me. However, I only loved it at surface level then. The same goes for Toy Story 2. It took seeing the films recently that opened my eyes to the idea of the Toy Story films as the most important character driven stories to every be put to film. Let us say that Toy Story is about the importance of identity.
Take for example the first film. It is the story of Buzz Lightyear, a new toy, coming to terms with what he is in the world. Also, you have the character of Woody who is trying to gain a sense of self while he feels he is being replaced. In the end Buzz and Woody work together and become friends. The part of the film that always gets me is where Buzz and Woody are locked away in Syd's room. Woody tells Buzz to leave him saying that Andy doesn't need him anymore. Buzz saves Woody and has him realize that Andy still loves him and always will. Toy Story is a film about existential identity. Realizing who you are and living with yourself.
Toy Story 2 continues this logic flawlessly. In Toy Story 2 Woody is stolen by a toy collector and Buzz is searching for him. Woody discovers that he is a rare doll that is being sold to a Japanese toy museum. Buzz finally reaches Woody who is now completely for leaving Andy behind, all in the name of Andy will one day grow up and no longer love him. Buzz, however, tells Woody that one day Andy will grow up, but it isn't now. Andy still needs them. Toy Story 2 is about the possibility of existential death. One day we all will lose meaning in the world.
Now we come to Toy Story 3. Toy Story 3 takes place 11 years after the events of Toy Story 2. Andy is moving, going off to college and the Toys are coming to terms with living in the attic. However, due to unforeseen events, they end up at a daycare where they are continuously abused by toddlers. Woody wants to get out to Andy, but the others feel forsaken by him. Existential death has come to them, they feel as if they have no purpose in the world. This is why Toy Story 3 is so great, and so perfect. It is about facing the demise of one's purpose and even soul.
I was an emotional train wreck from the beginning of this film to the end. At first I was tearing up because I felt at home with these characters. However, I was eventually crying for the fact that this film was about the lack of importance we all have. In the end the toys are made of plastic and are loved and then forgotten by children. This statement made by one character hit me very hard. Though, the film answered a question that was being asked since Toy Story, "There is no purpose for a toy, what do we do?" the answer comes as a resounding, "You make your own purpose." Toy Story 3 is about the inevitability of losing the drive to live, and that there really is no meaning in the world. But, we have to make our own meaning.
Toy Story 3 is a perfect film to me. It is my favorite in the trilogy. It is a wonderful story with dark themes that were all handled flawlessly. It is a film that knows exactly what it is doing at every minute and executes its rationale in perfect fashion. I will hold this film and the others in high regard for what they stand for. It is odd that this film comes out now, I feel as if the creators weren't making a film for the children of this generation, but for mine. I love this film, and I hope you will as well.
I don't like giving scores much, but I have to give the film a 10/10.
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