Movie Review: Toy Story 3

Overview

It had to happen. Children tend to grow up and go on with their lives. So, what happens to the beloved toys? That is what Toy Story 3 is all about. Andy has grown up and is going away to college. He plans to take Woody with him, but the rest of the toys are going in the attic….at least that was his plan. By mistake they get sent to a daycare center where they are tortured by children in the “caterpillar” room. It isn’t pretty.

If you think Woody, Buzz, the Potato Heads, et al, have seen bad times before, you haven’t seen anything. The dastardly pink, strawberry-smelling bear named Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear (Lots-o' to his friends) is the menacing ruler of this daycare toy world. He was accidentally abandoned earlier in his life and this caused major issues as you can imagine. With a baby doll and Ken as his henchmen, he makes life miserable for Andy’s toys. When Woody learns of the trouble his toy friends are facing, he must go and rescue them.

What happens after that is a lesson in endurance, trust, loyalty, standing up for what is right and much more. You see these friends so committed to each other that they are literally willing to lay their lives down for each other. Near the end when they think they are facing “death” they hold on to each other for strength. I won’t tell you how, but, of course it all works out in the end. Love is communicated throughout this movie. The relationship between children and parents is respectful and loving.

Concerns

As far as language you will hear the words “heck” and “darn” mentioned maybe once a piece. A little girl sees ghosts and yells, “holy moly.” This movie can be violent at times. This is the cartoon violence that we have seen in the other Toy Story movies. My six-year-old niece was in tears before the toys were rescued in the movie, but she wasn’t scared as much it was just touching to her.

Teachable Themes

• Teamwork
You can accomplish a lot by working together.


• Courage
God can give us courage in the most impossible situations.


• Loyalty
Andy is loyal to his toys…and the toys are loyal to him and each other.


• Commitment
The toys were committed to each other.


• Things Work Together for Good
When it seems like everything is going wrong, it will all work together for good.


• Stand Up for What is Right
The only way evil can prevail is if we do nothing.

Biblical References

• Teamwork

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” (NLT)


• God Will Give Us Courage

Deuteronomy 31: 6 “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (NLT)


• Be Faithful

Matthew 25:21 “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together! ” (NLB)


• Friendship

Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loves at all times… ” (NIV)

Proverbs 18:24 “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (NIV)


• Things Work Together for Good

Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (NLT)


• Stand Up for What is Right

Matthew 16:18 “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (NLT)
Note: A “gate” is an inanimate object. The only way a gate can “prevail” is if we don’t storm it. We need to raise up a generation of gate crashers.

Discussion Questions

1. Do you still have toys that you used to love but now not so much? Why don’t you play with them anymore?


2. If you could only take one thing with you on a trip what would it be?


3. Have you ever faced a scary situation? What did you do?


4. In Toy Story 3 the toys are very loyal to each other? Is loyalty something important in friendship? Why?


5. What are your afraid of? How can you get rid of fear?


6. Have you ever had to stand up for what is right…and no one was standing with you? What did you do?

Conclusion

This is a great third installment. It made me sad to think that this saga is over. I, too, have grown to love Woody, Buzz and the others. This is definitely not a film I will put in the attic, but when the DVD come out, I will buy it and I will take it out like the other Toy Stories and enjoy it for a long time!