Mitchell Hunt's Reviews

Treatment 

Toy Story 1, the original. Had a goal, had a purpose to be the very first fully 3D animated film in history that would not only entertain children, of which was all the rage at the time with such a variety of Kids television programs and movies. Pixar wanted something that would also appeal to their parents and knocked it out of the park. So when Toy Story 3 was released the same purpose was hit out of the park AGAIN! The set of purposes that Pixar wanted to set out to achieve was not only to create another multi-million dollar movie but to take a franchise that had not had another full length instalment in over 10 years, and make it for a new generation. Pixar achieved that by involving more target audiences than ever before.

 

In Toy Story 3 the target audience hasn’t changed, merely added with a group of people that would tend not to have seen Toy Story 3 otherwise. This is because the ideas portrayed in this film reflects our own world and thoughts and ideas because like many people I would have watch this films predecessor when I was only a child and now I’m the age of one of the main characters Andy (young adult, going to College). His approach to the aforementioned Toys that just so happen to be alive is the same to what has happened with my Toys win my life. This brings a whole new aspect and depth to the story. One that can so seamlessly lead from one story to the next without alienating anyone. Andy going to College represents the physical length of time from the release of Toy Story 2 up to Toy Story 3 being ten years although Andy has only grown up seven years meaning that Pixar took the decision to only forward his age seven years.

 

You can no doubt see Toy Story’s purpose and mise-en-scéne because of the in the scene with the camera recordings of Andy, the young boy and his Toys, the visuals show life together; the Toys and Andy that is, being colourful, happy and focusing on the Toys unlike any other movie with a mixture of close up, medium distance and long shots of the Toys. I have no doubt that showing this movie to anyone they would know that this is not only a Toy Story movie but a Pixar movie. Especially as the scene has the “You got a friend in me” song that has as much popularity as the film itself which is because it reached 119 in the UK charts.

 

The fantastic thing about Toy Story 3 is that it’s a multi-genre film, being; Animation, Family friendly viewing, comedy, fantasy and adventure. On the surface it may not seem like it’s a very good candidate for such a beloved film because of the amount of genres it’s trying to reach instead of focusing on one, two or three like other films for example the movie Spy which was Comedy, action and crime that also has rave reviews and still made its fair share of Box Office money. Toy Story 3 being categorized in so many genres allows the film to appeal to a wider audience because it can be a lot of things at once and still do it well. However it’s also a reflection for the viewer’s life showing how our lives aren’t so cut and dry as it initially seems, this is most defiantly a physiological ideology but it works.

 

The story synopsis of the plot is as follows: Andy, the owner of the Toys is growing up and has out grown his toys, he then stashes away the Toys in the Loft, when he cleans up his room. To the end of the Toys being trapped in a Box for quite a while. Then the gang thought they were lucky to be moving out from the Loft however that thought was short lived, they were left by the curb for the bin men to collect and thrown away. Luckily Woody thought up an idea quick and then saves them from impending disaster. Sadly it was not all good news. All of the gang were donated to a local day-care centre for very young Children, EXCEPT for poor old Woody. The Toys at the centre thought they were saved from a play free life, sadly the saying “Be careful for what you wish for” was written on their fates. The kids were animals to the Toys and most wanted to leave the first day. So Woody and his gang thought it would be best to get an escape before they were torn apart. Then at the end the Toys sneak themselves into Andy’s chest of draws and leave him a little note for him to see when he returns.

 

The cinematography that was used to make up the day-care scene was simply amazing. From extreme, sometimes, over the top close ups to extreme wide angle top down shots. Nevertheless it keeps the view entertained and only but boosts the scenes atmosphere. One of these extreme close up shots was of the child’s mouth that was a little close to comfort for my liking. This gave us a real sense of what the Toy Buzz Lightyear was going through. Both physically and more sadly, emotionally due to the stark contrast between the life of Andy’s and at the Day-care.

 

In the same scene the use of a high overview shot of the entire day-care floor really gave the scene gravitas because it was able to show the carnage the is unfolding, from the clean, tidy and not very dirty surrounding before the children came in during the previous scene. But the overview shows what has happened due to the children’s energetic nature after they have vacated the day-care, giving two massive contrasts, a before, during and afterwards shots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This scene is designed to make the audience feel so deeply that they would love to rescue them and take them home as they are clearly not enjoying it after the panicking remark from Rex about losing his tail.

The story begins when our most beloved characters are seen in an amazingly cinematic chase between characters Woody and Mr. Potato Head. This as an opening scene is a stroke of genius to get the audience straight into the main action; this is especially poignant when where we find out that it’s simply a piece of creativity in a young child’s mind. Furthermore this opening scene gives the story a lot of legs because it allows the film to tell the basis of what the concept behind the film is; an adventure between Toys that are alive and how they see themselves as Toys compared to how we see Toys.

 

The amount of lighting in the scene gives the mood of this scene a very light hearted look because the subject matter of a train robbery and fighting is not particularly family friendly. Some parents may not like the idea of promoting violence, theft and evading the law family entertainment, however because of the lighting of the scene being very bright, colourful and warming make it seems harmless and just fun. However the whole scenes atmosphere would feel a lot different if it was set at night or when it was very dark. This is because all animations and films have lighting and the lighting reflects the mood of the scene for example; bright lighting=more light hearted scene, normal lighting=any number of possibilities and dark lighting=scary or spooky.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This scene also shows worry or scared  because of the facial expressions that Jessie and Woody use when riding Bullseye trying to catch up to the Train that is about to fall into a pit due to explosives.  The expressions are that being worried it shows that Woody and Jessie care about the Orphans that will die, these expressions are ones that can be seen on a daily basis. For example if somebody is scared about an Exam they may look worried, if someone is trying to find their lost child in a Supermarket worry and scared will be expressions used without  a shadow of a doubt.

 

The cinematography in this scene is also very important because it purposely shows both Woody and Jessie in the frame and close up to reveal all their emotions to the audience and because the main age group of the audience will tend to be children then they may need to see the expressions close up to understand what emotion they should be feeling. Then there are shadows appearing from the right side potentially meaning something bad is about to happen. This is because Children tend to be afraid of the dark and showing darkness will help the viewers understand better.

 

Another scene which has superb levels of detail is the “Incinerator Scene” whereby the gang (Woody, Buzz, Jessie etc.) are gliding down a bank of rubble into a fiery pit to be destroyed for ever. This scene is beautiful for its reflection . On the one hand it is that the Toys are simply items and thus will be thrown away or recycled as they’ve got no further use. However the scene symbolises how our throwaway society that treats things and item that we tend to work hard to earn and love just to be assigned to nothingness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The scene is beautiful with amazing panning shots from up to down and left to right of the red hot plumes of smoke that gives the scene a real sense that this is the end for characters that have been in our hearts for over 10 years. The angles chosen for this scene include heart throbbing moments for example the close up of Buzz and Jessie holding each other’s hands in their final moments. The scene will be even more powerful if the viewer has lost someone because the same feelings will be apparent here, making this scene one of the most lump in the throat, teary eyed scenes in movie history.

 

The eye contact between that characters really makes this scene powerful because the viewer can really tell that they think it is all over and they want to remember their time together rather than the impending doom from the pit of fire. But they close their eyes when they’re near the edge of the pit, this is probably the biggest movie cliché but one of the most effective. The characters movements of holding hands and being as close to each other I feel may be too dark of an emotion for a children’s movie. However this mise-en-scéne of this scene shows that Pixar makes dark films for children and are world renowned for producing movies with dark meaning but with characters that are lovable that ARE NOT humans. This does make it acceptable but doesn’t change our emotions.

 

What makes this scene more heart wrenching is the sound design. Although the music is as much a cliché as the scenes movement and direction but still is very effective. If watched through a high quality sound system this scenes music really is heart pounding. The use of the music’s change of pace and sudden thuds with the changes camera angels makes the viewer know that the characters are getting closer, and closer, and closer to being perished. Not only was the music put in for effect.

 

The voices of the characters having to shout to be heard gives a real sense of space in the place that they are in. Also it gives the characters scale compared to the size of the room especially as the rest of the rubbish is so small. Lastly the voice actors are having to shout and scream that is really effective to portray them being scared and the them screaming is the characters being scared which is the characters are scared for things to come as they understand what is going to happen.     

 

Meaning:

Toy Story 3’s meaning is to show how life can change unexpectedly and so fast but how true friendship will always prevail. Although Andy no longer wanted the Toys he had no control over their fates and this means that sometimes life’s greatest decisions, ones that change all entirely aren’t usually down to the person to make. This is such a strong message because throughout life so many decisions will be taken for you if you like it or not. Sometimes it has an opportunity which is portrayed when the Toys were donated to the day-care centre. But opportunities sometimes do not have wield any benefit. This is why the Toys wanted to escape. The Toys escaping shows how the circle of life can so unexpectedly come back round again when the Toys end up back with Andy.

 

On the other hand the films meaning is also to value each other. This is because through thick and thin the gang stuck together, never questioning each other’s friendship which is how they got to where they wanted to be, in Andy’s care again. Also this meaning will help not just Children think who their true friends but teenagers and adults too. That is a strong message for one family animated film about Toys to portray. This is yet another reason for its appeal to young and old.

Denotation and Connotation:

The denotation of the character Woody is that he dresses like a Cowboy however the connotation is that he is the most adventurous character that can rescue others from danger which subsequently makes him come across the the good guy and the risk taker which is also portrayed in the events of the three Toy Story movies. 

 

Buzz Lightyear's denotation is that he is a Astronaut with how he is made with the wings and see-thru dome helmet. However the connotation is that he is the thinking character because of the way he impacts the people surrounding him and himself which is because Astronauts have to be intelligent and a problem solver to be an Astronaut. 

 

Andy's denotation is that he is a teenager going to college that threw away his Toys. But the connotation is that it shows how life changes when people grow up and especially with Toys as they never age but Andy does which makes Andy a reflection of the viewers growing up. 

 

Bullseye's denotation is that he is a horse but the connotation is that he is apart of the cowboy image where by he is extreamly loyal to his owner and tends to be used to do good and reflects on the idea of being adventurous and going a distance to complete a task because a horse was used and still is (less nowadays) to transport people long distances.

 

The character choice is a denotation to the fact that they're just Toys and come in all varieties. However the connotation is that it it shows how the more different and weird characters can band together against all odds which is a strong message to the viewers that all race, religions and differences do not matter when apart of a team.

 

 

Finances:

Box Office: $1.063 Billion

Budget: $200 million

The budget for this movie was $200 million because Pixar did not want to spend a ridiculous, over the top amount of money because they did not have too to be able to produce the movie increasing profits and allowing the money to fund other projects and movies in the future of which is a better overall for everyone involved. Also the movie did not suffer any short comings this way either.

 

Review:

After nearly eleven long years since the last instalment of the Toy Story franchise this latest one had a lot to look up to. This 103 minute roller-coaster is a departure from its predecessor in story and approach.

 

The 3D animated world that has been achieved by the world renowned Pixar Animation is no short of phenomenal. With a blend of breath-taking colour accuracy and realistic motion frame, by frame, by frame attention to detail. It is simply the best of what an animation company can achieve which sets an unprecedented benchmark for all others to aspire to.

 

Also what’s so remarkable is that this film is an animated film of which animation as an industry hasn’t stopped growing, expanding and changing over the years. So to have a film eleven years apart from the previous, making them look like they were created at the same time is just brilliant. This is because it shows how technology can change and improve the quality of any animated film however keep the world feeling the same. That is the level of detail that this story has to offer.

 

The idea of someone loving something as much as Andy does just to be stashed in the loft to be forgotten is a metaphor for our existence in that nothing, no one and anything is constant. Times change. This is the first heart wrenching moments of the film even if the connection between audience and character hasn’t been realized yet (if the viewer HASN’T seen the previous films). Moreover the fact that such a strong connection can take place in such a short period of time about essentially fictional characters made by someone on a computer is remarkable.

 

Alternatively the film will bring lumps to the throats to all those that have a heart who watched the previous films and leave them misty eyed, nostalgic about times gone by. No mean feat for a Californian studio by any stretch of the imagination. This feeling is only amplified by Randy Newman’s legendary song: You’ve got a friend in me; that will warm the cockles of anyone’s heart.

Luckily throughout the film the gang of mismatched friends never lose what made them so great in the two previous films, friendship, comradeship and affection towards one another, even if the topic gets a bit heated at times. This was most apparent when the gang arrive at a children’s day-care centre. It was a complete shock to their system.

 

The gang are used to a single owner taking care and sharing his time with them, which was most during the chapter where Andy is being filmed as a child playing with his toys. With a never ending stream of affection he has towards them; even at Birthdays, watching TV and running around as Children do. So it’s no one we fell so sad, when they’re being horrifically treated by the unwary children that do not know they are alive, or at least, we hope they do not know, otherwise it may have been a totally different scene entirely.

 

The music, sounds, sound effects in Toy Story 3 were without a doubtable perfect. The songs in the film was not merely recycled works from latest pop culture of which would have detracted from the work of art this film has to offer. Alternatively the film had developed music specifically for this film by the legendary multi-Oscar winning, Randy Newman.

 

Also a song that has been cemented with the Toy Story film and brand since the first movie was released, the legendary; you’ve got a friend in me, song.

 

On the other hand the sound effects at time could be a little detracting when a lot of action is happening on screen and can leave a very strange low feeling in the action. This is not what you want in a film, however, when taken away with one hand you’re give in another, this being in the form of the films sound quality. This is as you would expect from a Pixar movie by now. Amazing.

 

With combination of real vocals, orchestras, real instruments, voice actors, great sound mixing, superb yet understated editing technique and state of the art sound recording hardware. Makes the viewing and listening experience that far great especially in Cinemas with Dolby Surround Sound. Every pin drop can be heard, every syllable spoken fine-tuned and could be fully understood and best of all the chest pumping bass and treble can be felt.

 

But to anyone that has watched the first two films; Toy Story & Toy Story 2, do not go and watch this film with the expectations of Toy Story 3 being head and shoulders above the rest. This is because both Toy Story and Toy Story 2 were so good and sets a precedence that Toy Story 3 is going to be so much better due to the length of time Pixar has had to make Toy Story 3 with, HOWEVER, this film is on par and can be argued that it’s better (or worse than the other two films depending on your personal stand point). This film is no doubt another film in the Toy Story trilogy. Thankfully each film is set out in such a manner that one can easily be watched on its own, this makes superb Cinema viewing and is no doubt reflective on the box office results: $1,063,171,911 (ref: http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=toystory3.htm)

 

I no doubt believe that this film is the best animated film of the decade just skinning by past Toy Story 2 as that was made a mere one year before the turn of the decade. Even the online website review site giants like: IMDB, Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes gave this film high praise.