by MaryBeth (and Ben) Dagg

If you think Toy Story 3 is just for kids, you would be wrong. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing all three Toy Story movies over the course of 11 years, and the final of the trilogy is stunning on so many different levels.

The movie opens with a rousing and heart-felt sequence showing the 17-year relationship between Andy and the toys we’ve all come to know and love. The scene lets us revel in the pure wonder of a child’s imagination that sparks the wild adventures of our pals Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen) and the gang, along with a lot of new and vibrant friends.

Andy is leaving for college and has to decide whether to donate, trash, or store his old toys. In the packing mayhem, the toys are accidentally sent to the toddler room at Sunnyside Daycare, where they are methodically and creatively tortured by dozens of unruly youngsters.

On top of these horrors, the toys discover the place is under the evil rule of the deceptively welcoming "Lotso" Bear, along with some of the creepiest toys I’ve seen outside a horror film. With Woody’s help, the toys plan their nearly impossible escape to get home to Andy.

The escape scene pays homage to all the great prison escape movies. Think Escape from Alcatraz, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Great Escape. Or maybe just Hogan’s Heroes with a better outcome.

With this stellar cast, there is an abundance of comedy and hilarious characterizations. But where Toy Story 3 really shines is its poignant moments. At the climax of the movie as the toys prepare to meet their doom, their decision to go down together – mixed with a swelling of dramatic music – literally hushed the audience and choked up many adults (including myself). The gesture drove home the theme perfectly: At the end of the day, all we have is each other.

As the movie ends, we also learn the importance of letting go. We see Andy’s mom’s anguish as she faces his empty room as he leaves for college, and a touching scene where Andy finally releases his toys to a most deserving new owner. Like any good Pixar movie, we are taught the value of loyalty, sticking by your friends no matter what, and – most expressively here – moving on gracefully when it’s time.

A Kid’s Point of View by Ben Dagg, a typical West Seattle 10-year-old
4 out of 5 Stars

I would really recommend this movie for all kids. It starts with a bang in a very exciting opening scene. It has a good mix of a lot of action, some comedy, and a lot of drama. I don’t usually like drama movies, but in this movie, it made the comedy stick out more because you weren’t expecting it. Toy Story 3 is my favorite of all three Toy Story movies, by a long shot.