Our story starts with a 17 year old Andy leaving for college, and leaving behind him his home, his family and of course, his beloved toys. The toys, however, aren't ready to leave him. After being stuck in a trunk, alone and un-played with for far too many years, they must await their destiny; are they going to college, the attic, the donations box, or, worst of all, are they being thrown away as junk? Before Andy can make his choice however, the decision is made for him, and home begins to shrink behind them with every box packed.
Every scene is a new chapter to the story and with each new twist, the idea of a happy ending is pulled further from them. In some scenes, it's not a case of love or loss; it's a case of life or death for our heroes, (one scene in particular has to be applauded for it's ability to reduce solid, emotionally stable adults into nervous wrecks, literally gripping their seats with fear...and for a supposed 'child's film', that is quite an achievement.)
The general stereotype of toys is warped into a twisted version of our lives, where humans are monsters, are incapable of love, and as the plot unravels, the audience is drawn into the conclusion that in the end, the plastic toys turn out to be more alive than we are. Ever loyal Woody especially becomes so human in his quest to return to Andy, even leaving his friends behind in the process, that when he finds a sweeter life than the one that he's trying to run back to, he barely takes a minutes hesitation in choosing between them. To consider this from a more controversial point of view though, perhaps Woody wasn't acting more human. He was acting more toy, and shaming every single one of us in the process.
The older audience will see the heartbreak all of the toys go through, and will continously be reaching out to the screen, to take a paw or hand in theirs and save their childhood from slipping away with the rolling credits at the end of the film. For the younger viewers, this film will do nothing but inspire them to gather up their own toys, hold on tight, and begin their own adventures with their make-believe families, before it's all too late. Whilst this film is slightly darker than expected, a lot of the deeper references will be lost on younger children, and will serve to amuse the elder ones.
Sitting in the dark cave of a cinema or living room, this wondrously emotional film can shock you, and absorb you, make you laugh, make you cry, and will definetly bring out the child in all of us. It will definitely keep you guessing. Will Buzz win over Jessie? Does Barbie's new boyfriend Ken have a dark secret? How much darkness can a day care center hold? And will all the toys get their happy ending?
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