Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Toy Story 3 (2010)

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 06-18-2010, 06:29 PM:

Well the short at the beginning (Day & Night) is worth the price of admission. There's more imagination in that than most other studios' whole movies.

I've only seen the first half hour or so of the feature at this point but I was lovin' it. Had to come back to my day job and close up the place. More later.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 06-18-2010, 07:36 PM:

The movie was rocking a 100% perfectly positive score at Rotten Tomatoes until Cole Smithey and Arnold White of the NY Press showed up to crap on the flick because of product brand placements (Arnold) and hatred of 3D (Cole). 139 positive reviews. 2 guys with sticks up their butts.

Product placement is a sad reality for most major feature projects. Nevertheless any legit critic has to judge the quality of the movie itself, not the freaking window dressing. And slamming a movie just because it's in 3D is pretty stupid. The critic can watch just about any movie with a 3D version in 2D, so he ought to try judging the movie on its actual content. Roger Ebert is not a big fan of 3D at all yet he gave Toy Story 3 a positive review. Just don't get him started about 3D.
[Razz]

Posted by Hillary Charles (Member # 769) on 06-18-2010, 07:54 PM:

Does a dissenting review from Armond White really count?

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-18-2010, 08:03 PM:

First of all, it is kind of a given that there will be "product placements" in a movie about toys. For example, Mr. Potato Head. Yeah, kind of hard to avoid stuff like that. I'd rather see real toys than fake toys that never existed. In fact, I was kind of pissed that the fake Super Nintendo the dinosaur was playing at the beginning of Toy Story 2 was not a real SNES. But then again, the SNES could never do graphics like that... heh.

And to poo-poo an entire movie because you don't like 3D is rather stupid. That's kind of like saying the movie sucks because it is in 7.1 and you like 5.1. Nobody forced his ass to watch it in 3D. If that was the only showing available to him, he should stop watching movies now because every other movie he reviews will be 3D.

Posted by Jonathan Goeldner (Member # 4854) on 06-19-2010, 02:02 PM:

Cinemark Egyptian 24
'XD' screen / June 18 (12:01 AM)

I thought this movie was alot of fun, while the story isn't that plot intricate, the series works because of the characters. Enough humour, though not as prevailent as in TS2. The casual cameo of a Hayao Miyazaki character was great!

On the 'XD' scene the image and sound was completely immersive - notably during near the end when the action intensifies.

I also have to say the 3D effects really didn't bring all that much to the table in my opinion.

as far as I can summize, Armond White can suck it. He didn't like TS3 but liked 'Jonah Hex' - his credibitily is pathetic.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-19-2010, 03:24 PM:

Does Armond White even count???

Posted by Sam Graham (Member # 2889) on 06-19-2010, 06:27 PM:

CINEMA: Watts Theatre, Osage, IA
AUDITORIUM: 1
PRESENTATION: 35mm/Analog matrix (lack of) surround
PRESENTATION PROBLEMS: Shaky, soft, out-of-frame picture, streaks and dirt in image, fluttering hairs in lower right corner, streaky credits, flat sound. This is a textbook example of a crappy presentation. On the other hand, admission was $4.75 and a large popcorn and soda cost $6.50. And it was damn good popcorn.
RATING: Four stars (out of four)

MEANWHILE AT THE OSAGE HARDEE'S (where I'm writing this) - Is that the BIG ROAST BEEF on the menu? Could it BE? It IS! On a toasted and buttered bun! YEAH BABY! Why don't the Hardee's stores in Des Moines have this? Stupid bastards.

This small-town pink-and-teal auditorium has digital pre-show advertising with lots of local businesses. You can barely hear it. After they shut off the digital projector (the entire process which was visible on the screen, including the "Are you sure?" prompt and a countdown), they ran a 35mm trailer, then something broke. While they were fixing it, the audio from the digital advertising could be heard. Apparently it just continues playing under the entire fucking movie.

So the movie is running and it's pedestrian Toy Story....pedestrian pedestrian pedestrian pedestrian pedestrian pedestrian pedestrian pedestrian...and then...oh my God.

You could skip the first 70 minutes and leave the theatre feeling like you just witnessed something incredibly special.

Oh...the short sucked.

Posted by Geoff Jones (Member # 3668) on 06-19-2010, 07:05 PM:

Saw it today at the Continental in Denver on the giant screen in 2D 35mm. Excellent presentation all around, but I'm reminded by how the "stadium" remodel really fucked up the sight lines.

TS3 is the first new film I've bothered to see in 2010 and I hope to see it many more times on the big screen.

Absolutely outstanding. Thrilling, hilarious, and heartbreakingly emotional.

Tortilla! I can't type that without laughing!

[Smile]

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-20-2010, 12:13 PM:

I turned the 3D off so I could enjoy the movie more.

That being said...I loved it just as much as the first two. A definite must see. Maybe its just me, but Buzz in Spanish mode was just hilarious and that lame Randy Newman song "You've got a friend in me" is sooooooo much better in these end credits! [Wink]

3D = 4 out of 5 stars (anticipated)
2D = 5 out of 5 stars (verified)

(Meanwhile I keep installing more and more and more 3D systems. Grrrrrr.)

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 06-20-2010, 12:43 PM:

I have only caught a little bit of it after a 3D install.

My impression of the 3D was that the short made GREAT use of 3D and greatly added to its look and appeal. However, once Toy Story started...the 3D added nothing but a headache and eye strain.

Brad's review seems to confirm this.

I'm more concerned about Sam's review...nowhere did I catch him saying that "wackiness ensues" which is an absolute requirement for me to see a movie. I guess I'll have to pass...I got to have the wackiness!

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 06-20-2010, 03:35 PM:

I'm more concerned that it refers to "Auditorium 1" in a small-town single-house. That is, unless the place has installed extra rooms since my last relatives in Osage moved which seems extremely unlikely.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 06-20-2010, 05:12 PM:

This is my favorite Pixar movie since "Finding Nemo." Easily better than "Wall-E" or "Up" and on a par with TS2, if not maybe a little better. (I don't remember for sure, I haven't seen it since we played it.)

There are a ton of small touches in this movie that demand another viewing or two. And agreed, the Spanish-mode Buzz was hilarious. I love the way Buzz is the most "modern" toy in the gang, but in all three movies he's the most problematic due to "software" problems. I think it's sort of a veiled comment about computers.

I like how they brought the saga to an end, but set it up for more sequels at the same time.

I was scared, entertained, throat-lumped and basically blown away by this movie. 4.5 out of 5 stars from me, only because the last reel of the first one can't be beat (or at least it hasn't been yet).

Posted by Sam Graham (Member # 2889) on 06-20-2010, 08:56 PM:

THE PLOT: Steve Guttag misses an awesome movie because I forgot to write a plot line. Wackiness ensues. IN THIS VERY FORUM

The Watts is still a single screen, which makes the auditorium by default "Auditorium 1". Or, based on the presentation..."Auditorium Suck". There's no room for expansion anyway as the adjacent Subway is FAR more profitable.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 06-20-2010, 10:05 PM:

We get mail all the time addressed to the Roxy 1. I like to think it's because "We're #1."

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 06-21-2010, 04:59 PM:

quote: Mike Blakesley
Well the short at the beginning (Day & Night) is worth the price of admission. There's more imagination in that than most other studios' whole movies.

Agreed wholeheartedly. [thumbsup]

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-23-2010, 01:32 AM:

I saw it in 3D and here are my thoughts:

First of all, Randy Newman should not be allowed to sing. He sounds like his mouth is full of Jell-O. What an asshole.

Secondly, this movie is pretty good. I like it. But it is not as good as Toy Story 2, no how, no way. Everyone was hyping this quite a bit, but I don't think it lived up. I agree with Sam, the Day vs Night short in the beginning certainly wasn't as great as everyone was saying it was. I even kind of zoned out during it due to boredom. The message was clearly "Don't be racist because we'll soon breed ourselves so that we're all the same anyway". At least that's what I got from it, not that the two characters were even acting racist so they didn't need the lecturing by the radio voice. The short was clearly written by hippies. The 3D effect was there and there were a few good scenes in 3D, but the movie definitely did not need to be in 3D (neither did the short). It was incredibly dim and the Christie projector could not be bothered to fill the screen on any side (many inches of blank space). Maybe if they moved the projector BACK a few inches... Also, from the trailers I learned that every kids' movie from now until forever will be in 3D without exception. The sound was OK. I didn't hear much in the way of surrounds. Hell, I didn't hear much in the way of left, right or subwoofer, either. They were certainly on, just dialed way down. I am not sure why THIS had to be the movie to introduce 7.1 surround because almost every theater everywhere will turn the volume down to 4 because they think it is a god damn kids' movie. I think this was the case here. But of course the preshow must play at a volume level of 9.

quote: The Evil Sam Graham
So the movie is running and it's pedestrian Toy Story....pedestrian pedestrian pedestrian pedestrian pedestrian pedestrian pedestrian pedestrian...and then...oh my God.

Ummm, where did the "oh my god" moment happen? It was pedestrian from the first frame to the last. The ending was quite appropriate and nothing that people didn't see coming from 9 miles away.

Still, it is a movie I'll likely get on Blu-ray. I think it will be more enjoyable in the home (certainly brighter and better sounding). No theater in Denver sounds as good as my house. And my house could sound better.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 06-23-2010, 02:23 AM:

quote: Joe Redifer
The message was clearly "Don't be racist because we'll soon breed ourselves so that we're all the same anyway".

I got "There is almost always some good in everything, the trick is to find the things worth celebrating."

I thought the sound was pretty good, especially the opening sequence.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-23-2010, 02:37 AM:

I'll let you know about the sound after I watch it on Blu-ray, if I remember. Where did you have your fader set when you watched it?

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 06-23-2010, 11:16 AM:

6.5, I think.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-23-2010, 11:41 AM:

Joe, that is precisely why I watched it in 2D. I believe the 3D is distracting from the enjoyment of the movie all for a silly gimmick.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-24-2010, 02:54 PM:

Something to ponder:

Spoiler Alert - Click to Toggle
At the end of Toy Story 2 when Andy sees his "new toys" he calls them "Bazooka Jane" and some other such nonsense. The point is that he makes up his own names for his new toys. At the end of Toy Story 3, he knows the proper name for Bullseye and the chick cowboy doll. How did he learn this? I demand answers and I demand them now.

Posted by Stu Jamieson (Member # 4626) on 06-26-2010, 08:24 PM:

Has it really been 15 years since the first toy story hit our screens? Not in my house it's not! With a toddler running around, the Toy Story films are spun up on the DVD player almost on a weekly basis so it feels like only yesterday that they were released. This is possibly the greatest testimony of Toy Story: it's enduring appeal to multiple generations and, despite 15 years being a long, long time in computer animation terms, it still looks great!

Something needs to be said about the preceding short, Day & Night, which is brilliant. In fact it is so good that I feel I should be writing about that rather then the feature which is almost disappointing by comparison in terms of conceptualisation and exploitation of the utilised 3D technology. The short film is a thesis on fear of the new and resistance to change; adult themes lovingly presented in a kiddie friendly format. This is, of course, what Pixar does best and it has never been done better than in Day & Night. It is also a theme which segues nicely into Toy Story 3.

As the feature opens we find Woody, Buzz and friends desperately vying for the attention of their now adolescent owner, Andy, whose interest in toys has naturally waned. Clinging to times passed, refusing to accept that their world has moved on without them, the toys are forced to accept change and realise that it isn't inherently bad but merely something different, opening up a cornucopia of new experiences and challenges. The proceedings mirror closely the plot of Richard Adams' Watership Ship: the toys leave their dying homeland (albeit not of their own choosing), enter the initially promising but ultimately oppressive Efrafa and finally find their everlasting bliss in a Watership Down. It's a successful formula if a tad darker than previous outings, including some of the creepiest elements to ever appear in a Pixar film. It will be interesting to see how a younger audience copes with it. In hindsight, the film is probably closer to a 'PG' rating than the 'G' it has been accorded.

The film eschews the usual slew of pop culture references past and present, including anime, westerns and Transformers which maintains the entertainment (and nostalgia) quotient at a high level. It is also destined to push toy sales to new highs as old toys of a bygone era are re-released to cash in on the films inevitable success - this is not necessarily a bad thing. Chiefly setting the story in a day care centre gives the crew licence to include just about every toy imaginable so unless you grew up under a rock in Siberia, you'll probably find a few of your toys featured. Indeed your Siberian rock toys are probably there as well.

All the elements of previous Toy Story stories are present here: another ingenious excuse to reboot Buzz to his pre-enlightenment programming is found (with hilarious results), a new romance blossoms, and the usual interplay between the (by now) well-defined characters plays out wonderfully. There's also a heavy hark (almost a cameo) back to Pixar's first Oscar-winning short, Tin Toy, with the character of Big Baby, a brutish stand-over baby toy.

Within the Toy Story canon, this third instalment does not exceed the second film in all round quality of story or implementation but, hey, this is Toy Story, y'know? It's only criticisms are as a result of the par for the Pixar course being so high. By any other measure, this is a great film. It does lose some marks, however, for adding to the growing body of redundant 3D cash-in projects but the brilliant exploitation of 3D technology in the preceding short is worthy in itself of the price of admission.

8 out of 10.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 06-26-2010, 10:56 PM:

From Joe's spoiler question above:

Spoiler Alert - Click to Toggle
At the end of Toy Story 3, he knows the proper name for Bullseye and the chick cowboy doll. How did he learn this?

He learned it from his Grandpa, of course. When I was a kid, I referred to my big Lionel train engine as "the big train" but by age 15 or so, from my Grandpa I learned that it was a New York Central Hudson 4-6-4, so now I call it the Hudson. (and nope, it's NOT in the attic!)

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-27-2010, 12:43 AM:

quote:
Something needs to be said about the preceding short, Day & Night, which is brilliant. In fact it is so good that I feel I should be writing about that rather then the feature which is almost disappointing by comparison in terms of conceptualisation and exploitation of the utilised 3D technology. The short film is a thesis on fear of the new and resistance to change; adult themes lovingly presented in a kiddie friendly format.

Even under that pretext, the two outline dudes with scenes inside of them are having about as much fun together as they legally can until the radio tells them otherwise. In fact, the radio's inclusion doesn't make any sense. There is no reason for it to be in there. There were happy before, then they became the exact same (due to all of the races mixing) and then they were happy after. The short is lame. 3D doesn't help it at all.

Posted by Demetris Thoupis (Member # 833) on 06-27-2010, 03:39 AM:

International prints with subtitling can help to see if your brightness is up to the task. I have seen portions in 5 locations in 3D and 4 had bright white lettering while one had yellowish which is a dying lamp and needs to be changed. That being said, I enjoyed the movie thoroughly and I agree with Brad regarding spanish Buzz Lightyear. It sure gave a lot of laughs to the audience. It has great moments and I do admit a moment or two something got stuck in my eye.. Ermm Yes you know what I mean. Toy Story series is perhaps one of Pixars' greatests. This is a great addition and a great storyline.
Demetris

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-27-2010, 10:55 AM:

All prints have subtitling when Buzz is in Spanish mode. I don't know why, as that is the main language here in the US.

Posted by Stu Jamieson (Member # 4626) on 06-27-2010, 05:44 PM:

quote: Me
Something needs to be said about the preceding short, Day & Night, which is brilliant. In fact it is so good that I feel I should be writing about that rather then the feature which is almost disappointing by comparison in terms of conceptualisation and exploitation of the utilised 3D technology. The short film is a thesis on fear of the new and resistance to change; adult themes lovingly presented in a kiddie friendly format.

quote: Joe Redifer
Even under that pretext, the two outline dudes with scenes inside of them are having about as much fun together as they legally can until the radio tells them otherwise. In fact, the radio's inclusion doesn't make any sense. There is no reason for it to be in there. There were happy before, then they became the exact same (due to all of the races mixing) and then they were happy after. The short is lame. 3D doesn't help it at all.

They were having fun before the radio, to be sure, but they were merely enjoying the presence of each other, not truly standing in each others shoes which is the point underlined by the radio transmission. Then the sun goes down in one and up in the other and they experience each others world first hand. It's analogous to, say, reading a book about the Middle East vs actually going there to live.

The 3D is marvellously utilised here as the two guys live in a 2D world but their bodies are a window into their thoughts and feelings. So it is entirely appropriate to represent this view into something using 3D.

Whose was the voice on the radio, BTW? It sounded like a prominent speech by somebody notable.

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 06-27-2010, 08:42 PM:

There is no doubt TOY STORY 3 is a wonderful movie but I was not very happy when I saw the movie at a theatre that turned out to be a terrible venue to see the film I am thinking about seeing it again in IMAX 3-D and will post a review if I do. To read about my bad experience at the theatre when I just saw the movie, go to "Straight To Video" and read my current comments about Consolidated's new Total Extremene Cinema System

-Claude

Posted by Jennifer Pan (Member # 2035) on 06-27-2010, 08:57 PM:

Theater Bites - Episode 5: Toy Story 3 3D Review

My review of Toy Story 3 3D

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 06-27-2010, 11:49 PM:

quote: Stu Jamieson
Whose was the voice on the radio, BTW? It sounded like a prominent speech by somebody notable.

From Wikipedia:
The voice used in this film is from Dr. Wayne Dyer and was taken from a lecture he gave in the 1970s. The director of the film incorporated the ideas taken from Dyer's lecture in order to show that the unknown can be mysterious and beautiful, and doesn't at all have to be something to fear. Pixar honored Dyer by providing him with a private screening of the film.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-28-2010, 12:15 AM:

So is there a big epidemic of unknown to be feared these days? I want to explore the unknown, but now we must rent foreign crafts to do that. [Frown]

Posted by Stu Jamieson (Member # 4626) on 06-28-2010, 12:26 AM:

^ No, not to be feared but is feared.

Thanks, Mike, that's great. I will forward that bit of info onto my Aussie movie friends. [thumbsup]

Posted by Joe Tommassello (Member # 4632) on 06-29-2010, 12:53 PM:

quote: Joe Redifer
the Day vs Night short in the beginning certainly wasn't as great as everyone was saying it was.

Personally I thought the short sucked. They should have dusted off "Workin' for Peanuts" one more time. The movie, though, I liked quite a bit.

Posted by Mark J. Marshall (Member # 1409) on 06-30-2010, 01:10 PM:

I agree. The short was terrible. I don't need a social lesson from my cartoon shorts. I want to see anvils dropping on people's heads and things blowing up and cartoon birds getting all of their feathers blown off or angry snowmen being stuck in a snow globe or old men playing chess against themselves or aliens abducting people....

The movie itself was very enjoyable, and in IMAX 3D - well, even the real IMAX almost filled the entire screen top to bottom! Nice!! [thumbsup]

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 06-30-2010, 02:41 PM:

quote: Mark J. Marshall
I want to see anvils dropping on people's heads and things blowing up

You need a Looney Tunes IV drip, stat! [Big Grin]

Posted by Geoff Jones (Member # 3668) on 07-11-2010, 04:30 PM:

Saw this again for the 3rd time today. (2D, 35mm)

It holds up wonderfully. The laughs, the emotion, the strength of the characters.

I'm still noticing lots of little touches, like the stitching on Woody's right shoulder from his accident in TS2 and characters like Wheezy & Bo in the background shots from the video at the start.

Unfortunately, newer releases have bumped it out of the decent auditoriums. I saw it on screen 4 at the UA Colorado Center in Denver. The screen seemed barely bigger than my screen at home, there was a very faint hum, and bit of stray light on the screen.

Worse though, was the man and his kids yelling at each other about sharing their snacks. Makes you want to just skip the theatre and wait for the thing to come out on video. [Frown]

Still, my 2 year old daughter (who sat quietly through the whole thing) and I had a blast.

Posted by Stu Jamieson (Member # 4626) on 07-11-2010, 05:24 PM:

How'd your daughter go with the junked-up freaky monkey, Geoff?

Posted by Geoff Jones (Member # 3668) on 07-11-2010, 07:31 PM:

My 2 year old was fine w/ the monkey. She was most upset (and there only mildly) by Buzz turning bad. And the first time she saw it she was worried about Zurg, but he only makes a cameo.

I think she's too young to fully grasp the gravity of many of the characters & situations.

My 6 year old on the other hand, did not like the monkey. (I can't write about him w/o a grin coming to my face!). She turned away from the screen when he came on.

She was also crying during the hand-holding scene, and Andy unpacking the box at Bonnie's house. But, then, so was I...

[Smile]

Posted by Phil Blake (Member # 2012) on 07-17-2010, 02:16 AM:

only got to see this yesterday , in real D.

totally enjoyed to show , definately belongs up there in the pixar library , was probably one of their best.

I would have equally enjoyed it in 2d.

4.5 out of 5 from me.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 08-15-2010, 02:45 AM:

This was a good movie. The short was definitely far superior in 3D and the movie was definitely superior in 2D.

I tend to agree on Sam's comment about it being pedestrian. The middle part of the story could have been anything but slapping the end on would get the same response awesome response.

For me it is a 3/5.