Release date: 23 July 2010
The cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Michael Keaton, Timothy Dalton
The pitch: Woody, Buzz, Mr Potato Head and all are dumped at a local kindergarten after their owner Andy leaves home to go to college.
The strapline: No toy gets left behind.
The buzz: It has been almost 15 years since Toy Story hit multiplexes back in 1995, introducing the name Pixar to cinemagoers and changing the face of animation forever. Delayed for five years following a dispute between Pixar and Disney, this “three-quel” is unlikely to be as big a game-changer as the original Toy Story, but with Pixar returning to more traditional kiddie fare after Wall·E and Up, there’s every chance this will trump Shrek 2’s animation revenue record of $436m.
Reasons this could be good: If Pixar manages to maintain its winning mix of laughter, bitter-sweetness and flawless animation in Toy Story 3, it’s difficult to see how it can go wrong. Thrown in the new vocal talent of Michael Keaton and Timothy Dalton and you’re looking at a fitting cap to (is it too soon to say?) the Best Animated Trilogy Ever.
Reasons this could be bad: After Wall·E and Up, the more kid-friendly tone of the Toy Story movies might disappoint. A trailer this far ahead of the release date could over-heighten expectations. And unlike the first two movies, it’s not directed by John Lasseter, allowing for the possibility that this could be the Terminator 3 of animated kids’ films.
We think: Could you really have asked for a better trailer for this film? A sprinkling of one-liners balanced with some big laughs (Mr Potato Head’s eye in the kids’ nose, anyone?) and some light heartstring-tugging, this gives the impression of the film without really showing you very much of anything. Colour us charmed. And if you didn’t laugh when Buzz started speaking Spanish, you have a cold, cold heart.
Music: It wouldn’t be Toy Story without the soft blues piano of Randy Newman, would it?
Did you spot?: The authentic-looking VHS crackles on the “tape” at the beginning of the trailer? Those clever Pixar fellows!
The odds of you seeing it: If you have kids, you will definitely be seeing this film. And if you were once a kid, the odds are good that you’ll be in line with everyone else come July.
