Movie Night: Toy Story.

Review #440: Toy Story.

Cast
Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear), Don Rickles (Mr. Potato Head), Jim Varney (Slinky Dog), Erik von Detten (Sid Phillips), Wallace Shawn (Rex), John Morris (Andy Davis), John Ratzenberger (Hamm), Annie Potts (Bo Peep), Laurie Metcalf (Ms. Davis), R. Lee Ermey (Sarge), Sarah Freeman (Hannah Phillips), and Joe Ranft (Lenny) Directed by John Lasseter.

Review
Trying to ask what would be the rating for this film is pointless as this is a really good film, with a lot of heart and with a lot of good animation. As I said in my review of Toy Story 3 (#382. Gee I really messed up the chronology, didn't I. At least I reviewed this first instead of the second film), Hanks and Allen pair off each other really well (fun fact: Billy Crystal was offered the role of Buzz Lightyear, but turned it down), and the scene where Woody tells Buzz he is a toy makes me laugh a lot. But the film has its moments of drama and adventure, and it doesn't feel manufactured or phoned in. The film was written by a variety of writers, and I'd make a joke about Josh Whedon, but I've honestly never even watched any of his shows, so there's no purpose, but the writing is good though. This was the first computer animated film and Pixar's first film, and it is a monumental success, especially with the story, the acting, and the animation. Truly excellent. Countdown to 450 Reviews: 10...

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: Toy Story 3.

Review #382: Toy Story 3.

Cast
Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear), Joan Cusack (Jessie), Ned Beatty (Lotso), John Morris (Andy), Don Rickles (Mr. Potato Head), Blake Clark (Slinky Dog), Wallace Shawn (Rex), John Ratzenberger (Hamm), Estelle Harris (Mrs. Potato Head), Michael Keaton (Ken), Jodi Benson (Barbie), Emily Hahn (Bonnie), Jeff Pidgeon (Little Green Men), Timothy Dalton (Mr. Pricklepants), Kristen Schaal (Trixie), Jeff Garlin (Buttercup), Bonnie Hunt (Dolly), Whoopi Goldberg (Stretch), and Bud Luckey (Chuckles) Directed by Lee Unkrich (#074 - Monsters, Inc and #155 - Finding Nemo)

Review
The first two Toy Stories by now are probably films that this generation has for nostalgia. The first was released in 1995, the 2nd in 1999, and this one was released in 2010. In that case, it's like a cycle, from the beginning to the...end? After watching this, I wonder if it is the end for these characters and their stories. Whatever the case, if it is meant to be, they went out with a proper bang. Hanks and Allen do a good job, pairing off each other well as does some of the others. The animation is good, having new settings that do look pretty good. But the thing that holds the film together is Ned Beatty as Lotso. For a character to turn in motivation from when you first see him to later in the film, it's a pretty stunning transformation. The film has some dark themes, but they aren't too dark for anyone not to enjoy, and it makes sense, given the progression of the series. The ending has some weirdness to it, but that does not overshadow a film that is pretty good, really good.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: WALL-E.

Review #222: WALL-E.

Cast
Ben Burtt (WALL-E), Elissa Knight (EVE), Jeff Garlin (Captain B. McCrea), Fred Willard (Shelby Forthright), John Ratzenberger (John), Kathy Najimy (Mary), Sigourney Weaver (Computer), and MacInTalk (Auto) Directed by Andrew Stanton (#155 - Finding Nemo)

Review
The film uses emotions conveyed silently with occasional voices, like a silent film. And in the end, the film still works out (Fun fact: Pixar watched Chaplin and Keaton films to help animate) In a film like this, it doesn't use much acting, but when it does (like I said a few lines ago), it works. The animation is extensive and good. It can make you range in emotions while watching to chuckling to a bit of sadness (depends on the range of person). It's a useful film that is entertaining and interesting to the end. It takes inspirations from films (Such as 2001: A Space Odyssey and Short Circuit) and uses it to its advantage. It's a love story (sort of) mixed in whit other elements to make a good, if not great film. Truly an another success for Pixar.

Overall, I give it 10 out of 10 stars.