Historically, the entertainment industry hasn’t had any successful animated franchises.  Disney’s great works of old may have had straight-to-video sequels, but never has there been a Toy Story or Shrek that just kept coming back for more.  Shrek, despite the genius of the original, has proven why that is; its sequels are as lackluster as the follow-ups to The Matrix.  Toy Story, however, has delivered time and time again.  Its cast of colorful characters, its adult-meets-child sense of humor and slapstick physical brand of humor reminiscent of Tom & Jerry re-runs, and the sheer cleverness of the scenarios thought up by its writers and directors have combined to make films that are downright fun to watch for all ages.  It’s the attention to detail - like Woody putting a single sheet of toilet paper on the toilet seat before he climbs up - that really sells these films.

Toy Story 3 is having a hey-day in the reviews.  RottenTomatoes.com gives it a near-perfect 99%.  It’s good, but not that good...  Perhaps what keeps it from being as great as its predecessors is the fact that its conventions have grown tired.  The personification of toys was novel the first time, even the second time, but it’s just not fresh this go-round.  Buzz being re-set so he doesn’t remember anything feels manipulative this time, as we’ve seen it before.  As a result, the second act of the film lags a bit.

Despite the done-before geriatrics of its parts, John Lasseter and team have oiled the parts as slick as they’ll go - and this engine still runs.  The second act might lag, but not before the jolting first act engages you and the third act leaves you wiping your eyes.  Lee Unkrich’s direction is humorous, light, and unobtrusive.  And the animation remains as solid as ever.  Now let’s just pray they don’t make a sequel.  Time to come up with a new story, fellas.