Before I begin this review, I’d like to take a moment to apologize to all those toys I sold at the yard sales, to the troll doll I threw in the trash (and severely regretted my actions a few moments later as I watched the trash truck drive away). And most importantly, to my childhood Barbies (and my one Ken), I’m so sorry I sold you to that toy collector (but at least you went all together with all your clothes and your car).

Yes, I’m so deeply sorry my dear toys. If only I knew then what I know now. If only I had it to do all over again. You’d still be here with me.

Back in 1999, those were the exact emotions I had as soon as the credits for Toy Story 2 started to roll. Jessie’s tale of abandonment in that film was heart wrenching. I can tell you, watching Toy Story 3 come to an end is no less heart wrenching and all those emotions welled up in me again. While I certainly won’t give the ending away and spoil it for you, Dear Readers, the last of the Toy Story films definitely requires a Kleenex or two, especially so, if you’re a parent who has ever experienced a child growing up and moving away ... off to a life of their own.

Toy Story 3 starts off with a slam-bang beginning, not unlike Raiders of the Lost Ark, when Indy has to run like mad to escape being crushed by that giant rolling ball in the tomb. With a start like that, you had to wonder, “How can they top this?”

In Toy Story 3’s case, the action takes place in the wild, wild, west, and it involves that beloved gang of toys lead by the true-blue, Sheriff Woody. You will hang onto the edge of your seat, you will cheer out loud, and you will scream with delight. But as soon as that slam-bang, pretty fabulous, beginning is over, you don’t have to wonder, “How can they top this?” Rest assured, the film does indeed, just get better.

By now, I’m sure you’ve all heard the premise of Toy Story 3. Andy has grown up, he’s moving away to college and he’s outgrown the toys. Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of the gang have been relegated to the toy box because Andy never plays with them any more. And really, what good is a toy that’s never played with? It makes for a pretty futile existence.

As Andy’s sister rejoices over the good fortune coming to her soon in the form of a much larger bedroom, his mom informs him that he must get rid of things before he takes off for college. Attic, take to college, giveaway, or trash, those are Andy’s choices and the bags come out for him to divide up what’s left of his possessions.

Once again I must say that I am loathe to tell you about who goes into which bag or box because I don’t want to spoil even the tiniest bit of the film for you. But unless you are living under a rock, I’m pretty sure you’ve heard that the toys end up in a daycare. How they get there, I’m not going to say. But once they land at Sunnyside Daycare, the adventure begins.

All seems sunny and bright as the gang meets the kindly, pink, strawberry-scented, & oh-so-huggable teddy bear, Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear or Lotso to all his pals (voiced by Ned Beatty); and Andy’s toys are a-glow with excitement that they will once again be played with and loved. Lotso rules the roost around Sunnyside and Ken (voiced to perfection by Michael Keaton) is his right-hand man. Together, Lotso and Ken (who makes quite a grand entrance descending in the elevator of his mansion) give our favorite toys a guided tour of the day care, ending up in the room that will be their new digs, the Caterpillar Room.

But ... as you might suspect, all is not what it seems. Will Andy’s toys enjoy their new life playing with the daycare kiddies? Will they get along with the daycare’s resident toys? What ensues is yet more of that nail-biter-Indiana Jones-running-from-the-ball adventure stuff that will leave you both breathless and teary-eyed. And for me, the final sequence of the film is the perfect, albeit bittersweet, end to the saga of Andy’s toys.

As soon as the house lights in the theatre came up, I leaned over to my grown-up daughter sitting beside me and said, “I bet you’re glad you rescued your Ghostbuster house & that box of toys from the garage the other day.” She couldn’t answer, she was too busy trying to dry her tears.

Now you may wonder about a studio that once professed an interested in only making original stories with original characters, why make yet another sequel to the Toy Story saga? Toy Story 3 director Lee Unkrich said in a recent interview, "We made another Toy Story because we really loved the characters and their world ... no one wanted to let them go.”

Thank God the Pixar folks couldn’t let Andy’s toys go. Most sequels fall flat, seeming to exist only as moneymaking machines bilking everything that can be had from an already successful film. In Toy Story’s case each film stands on its own, individual of the other two with a good, strong story. But put the three films together and the trilogy works perfectly, making one big wonderful story about the different phases in life that just about anyone, no matter what age, can relate to and enjoy. Ultimately, what the Toy Story films come down to in the end, is all about the love and support any group of people (who are, or who think of themselves as, family) have for each other.

So should you see Toy Story 3? You’re darned tootin’ right you should! And more than once too.

If you live in the LA area try to make one of your Toy Story 3 viewings at the El Capitan in Hollywood. I know, I know, I always say that. It’s not hyperbole to say that the El Cap folks have outdone themselves this time and prepared something very special for you which really makes it worth the effort (and expense) to go to Hollywood and not your local cinemaplex.

In back of the theatre, one block over, behind Hollywood High, they’ve set up the Toy Story 3 Fun Zone. You see the film in Disney Digital 3D in that gorgeous old theatre, and then you head out back for some carnival fun.

Buzz and Woody are on hand for photos, you can hop on a trike and race around in Rex’s Races, bungee jump at Bullseye’s Bungee Jump, ride the Toy Story Ferris Wheel, see ‘Dancing with the Toys’ (a live stage show), there’s a bounce house, Andy’s Game Room (filled xbox games & a nifty photo op that puts you right into the Toy Story 3 poster), a craft area (make Toy Story 3 visors, butterflies, and do a bit of coloring), and play all the carnival games (Barrel of Monkeys, Bean the Alien, Troll Train, Pea in a Pod, & Sunnyside Soakers).

Ahhhh, I have to take a breather, that’s a lot of stuff. But there’s a whole bunch more – you can play with Legos, Potato Heads, race Slinky down steps, there’s a maze, a rope swing, you can slide down the Dumpster chute, there’s Chunk’s Challenge Monkey Bars, and Big Baby’s Bumpers. There’s a giant ‘Time-out’ chair you can climb up in and have your photo taken, Ken’s Dream House is on display along with lots of Mattel’s Toy Story 3 toys. Breather again. There’s a swing set & hopscotch, a Barbie & Ken cutout photo op & a Jessie, Bullseye, Rex, and Alien cutout photo op too.

Good gosh there’s a lot to do! And when I was there, everyone, kiddies and grown-ups alike, was having a grand time of it. Oh and just in case you’re wondering, because this is all outdoors in back of Hollywood High, yes, they have bathroom facilities all set up for you in the Fun Zone too.

Let’s see, what have I forgotten? Oh yes, food, good old not-good-for-you-at-all carnival food. It’s a carnival though, so just throw out any thought of nutrition and enjoy, okay? There’s cotton candy, shaved ice (don’t send me emails – I know it’s properly ‘shave ice’ but that’s their spelling), a selection of ice cream, churros, various bottled drinks, and .... what’s this? Something healthy? Fruit! I don’t know how that got in there. When I go to a carnival that’s not what I want, but props to Disney for providing a healthy selection.

You probably know this is coming ... there’s also a toy store. If you’re hoping to pop into Disney’s Soda Fountain & Studio Store next door to the El Capitan for a quick Toy Story 3 fix, forget about it, all the action is at the Toy Story Fun Zone’s toy store (there’s next to nothing in the Soda Fountain’s store. In fact it’s so pitiful in there, I can’t even recommend you stop in for a look-see, not even for ice cream. When I was there the other night the Soda Fountain was a sad shadow of its former self and the restrooms weren’t even tidy).

Inside the Fun Zone’s shop there’s a selection of books (including the terrific Toy Story 3 Little Golden book), figures, a Potato Head ‘bar’, there are play sets, a couple of nice adult t-shirts for the ladies, some adorable Toy Story Crocs (kiddy-sized only), there are Woody dolls & Jessies, & Buzz too. The selection, while not as vast as say, a store like Toys R Us, is pretty nice with a price point for everyone. The only thing I couldn’t find that I was really longing for after seeing the film, was Big Baby (one of the new characters and a resident of Sunnyside Daycare), although that has since been taken care of.

So ... there you have it, run, don’t walk, to your nearest theatre and see Toy Story 3. And then take the kiddies and see it all over again at the El Capitan. You’re going to love it!

Bonus Links

Guest writer, Sarah Gillanders, offers us a young mom's perspective on Toy Story 3 and whether it's worth the price of admission for a family to see the film at the El Capitan in Hollywood. http://www.motherhoodmagic.com/

More photos of the Toy Story 3 Fun Zone by CaptPhoebus are included in MiceChat's In the Parks column today.

The Details

Digitally projected in 3D and Dolby Digital 7.1, Toy Story 3 runs through August 29th at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. Admission includes a visit to the Toy Story 3 Fun Zone attraction one block behind the theatre at Hollywood High.

Show times (subject to change, of course) are:

10am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm, and 9:30pm

General Admission Prices are:

Adult $20 ($18 before 6pm) | Child (3-11) & Senior (60+) $18 | Group (20+) $13

VIP Admission (includes popcorn, soft drink, reserved seat and no waiting in line):

$30

Tickets may be purchased at the theater, via phone at 1-800-DISNEY6 (1-800-347-6396) or online at www.elcapitantickets.com with a service fee added for the latter two methods. (Groups of twenty or more may purchase specially discounted tickets in advance, but this may only be done by calling 1-818-845-3110 as these tickets are not available at the box office.) Birthday parties are also welcomed at the same phone number.

The El Capitan Theater is located in Hollywood California at 6838 Hollywood Boulevard. Theater lobby-validated $2 (first four hours only) parking is available underground in the Hollywood & Highland complex (adjacent to the Chinese Theater) across the street.

Toy Story 3 is rated G; suitable for all audiences. Running time: 1 hour 42 minutes. Expect your visit to last three and a half hours with the Fun Zone included.