Director: Lee Unkrich
Run Time: 1 Hour 43 Minutes
Rating: G
The Bouw-Man.
Another curious entry into the summer fold of 2010 is the third edition of the film series that put Pixar on the map. The original “Toy Story” was released in 1995, and it set-off a new era in animation film-making. The clarity of the colors on the screen and the fresh story, not to mention the main two characters famous voices (Hanks and Allen), made it a revelation. This revelation led to so many other breakthroughs in animated films, including the successful “Toy Story” sequel in 1999. Now, eleven years later they have come back for the third installment. Obviously, they’re going to be hard pressed to duplicate the success they had in the 20th century. So many other animation blockbusters have come and gone, and Disney now has plenty of other competition. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen have lost some of their star power over the last decade, and it’s likely that we won’t see anything too mind blowing on the technology front with “Toy Story 3.” The movie itself appears to be following the same safe family-oriented storyline, so no audience member will leave the theater with anything less than a smile upon their face. I doubt this release was the result of having so much more to tell with the “Toy Story” brand name. Like “Shrek 4” it comes down to potential big money with the 3-D market. Since Pixar started this craze, they probably feel they should reap more of the benefits.
Prediction.
Disney was very smart to re-release the first two “Toy Story” films to the public last year as both a 3-D moneymaker and advertisement for the third edition. Since it’s been eleven years since the last one, they needed to reestablish themselves with the younger demographic. I still don’t know how many audience members who saw the originals at the theater will want to go back for the third installment. However, Pixar has had very few disappointments and returning to the franchise that started it all can’t be much of a financial risk. Let’s go with $125 million this weekend for old time sake.
Opening Weekend Gross: $125 Million
Noodles.
My first impression? Cute. Well my actual first impression was "Wow that kid kept that same bunch of old toys in his room until college?" I can understand having your favorite toy or two, sitting on a shelf as a memento of happy times. But this kid had Buzz, Woody, Mr. Potato Head, Dinosaurs, and on and on from his childhood just sitting in his room. How do those old toys rate space in a teenager's room over...video game consoles, comics...maybe, playboys? Maybe if we dug past Woody in that trunk we would have seen Andy's German Goth Bondage Porno collection.
But I digress...
I feel like this could actually be a pretty decent film. Its got a great legacy from the first movie, and most of the original cast was able to participate. I'm not a fan of the blatant manipulation of marketing that makes Mattel repackage the same old stuff they've been selling for eons under the Toy Story 3 banner and calling it NEW.
I like the idea of the toys going into day care, it seems like a natural progression to the story of where a toy goes when their kid grows up. I'm a little worried about where it will finish as they leave you wondering what the end game will be with this Buzz reset plot line. Or their supposed escape from day care scenario. But I guess the fact that I want to know how it ends is the point.
Prediction.
Let's put this in perspective. This summer has seen unemployment at 10%. We have an as yet uncapped oil spill in the gulf of Mexico. We're at war in two countries. And our national debt is in the trillions. This is a year when people should be flocking to the movies for a good escape from reality.Yet week after week we see movies come out to tepid reviews and meager opening weekends. That being said, I think this movie may actually defy the current trend and do gangbusters this weekend. Solid premise. Name recognition. Plus kids movies always do better at the box office.
Opening Weekend: Gross: $115 Million
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