We took the kids to see this film. Aside from “What were they thinking” (Zoe white-knuckled the entire film, although Amelia loved it), here are some things I’m pondering. (NOTE: spoilers abound, but then again, you’re a grown up, right?)
- What happened to poor Bo Peep?? (The worst “feel bad” moment of the movie)
- Why is Buster SO old? They got him, at most, 10 years earlier, and wasn’t he a puppy? He looked at lease 20.
- Why on earth did it take Buzz and Jessie a decade to hook up, especially when they’ve had nothing to do the last few years?
- Barbie and Ken: I get it, but he is gay, isn’t he? At least, he came off that way…
- Who did they write this movie for? Certainly not for preschoolers, that’s how disturbing it was. Someone just told me they wrote it for the children who watched TS1 and 2, as if college kids and teens would really watch this.
That said, I enjoyed it, but damn, how could you put these beloved characters through so much!
Kohaku says
Actually, my brother works at a movie theater and the lines for this movie went all the way around the corner and down the street (the theater even bumped off the time slots for other movies and replaced them with toy story). And what kind of people would stand in line for hours on end for TS 3?…..Teenagers and college students. That’s right, I didn’t see any kid or preteen in the lines at all. Nostalgia trumps everything else going on in the life of a college student. Even me.
admin says
Really? Surprising! I humby admit I was wrong 🙂 That explains everything.
Well, *almost*. The movie was precursored by a cartoon that seemed fairly kiddie-ish to me, but again, I could be wrong, lol! And FWIW, I am old enough to remember cartoon shorts played before kiddie movies, whereas my younger husband was all like, “What the flagnar is this??”
Kohaku says
Actually, my brother works at a movie theater and the lines for this movie went all the way around the corner and down the street (the theater even bumped off the time slots for other movies and replaced them with toy story). And what kind of people would stand in line for hours on end for TS 3?…..Teenagers and college students. That’s right, I didn’t see any kid or preteen in the lines at all. Nostalgia trumps everything else going on in the life of a college student. Even me.
admin says
Really? Surprising! I humby admit I was wrong 🙂 That explains everything.
Well, *almost*. The movie was precursored by a cartoon that seemed fairly kiddie-ish to me, but again, I could be wrong, lol! And FWIW, I am old enough to remember cartoon shorts played before kiddie movies, whereas my younger husband was all like, “What the flagnar is this??”
Alysia says
I am in total agreement with you on all your points. I too wondered where Bo Peep was (Annie Potts didn’t want to do the voice again?). And as my 4 yr old (who is has high functioning autism) sat on my lap for the last 30 mins in horror, I too wondered what the target age group was for this movie. Did they have to make it so…real? He can’t even look at the books with have with Lotso the Bear on it anymore. And (I’ll admit it) I cried at the end. Cried a lot. My friend (whose 6 yr old daughter spent the last 20 mins with her head buried in my friend’s shoulder) told me she’d never be able to throw away a toy again. Now my 8 year old LOVED it. So maybe that’s the target audience?
admin says
Hi Alysia, yea, well, I’m not quite sure it’s a movie to take a toddler or preschooler to at all! Maybe an older child, like ours, is a better target! I’m sorry your son was so traumatized.
Alysia says
I am in total agreement with you on all your points. I too wondered where Bo Peep was (Annie Potts didn’t want to do the voice again?). And as my 4 yr old (who is has high functioning autism) sat on my lap for the last 30 mins in horror, I too wondered what the target age group was for this movie. Did they have to make it so…real? He can’t even look at the books with have with Lotso the Bear on it anymore. And (I’ll admit it) I cried at the end. Cried a lot. My friend (whose 6 yr old daughter spent the last 20 mins with her head buried in my friend’s shoulder) told me she’d never be able to throw away a toy again. Now my 8 year old LOVED it. So maybe that’s the target audience?
Samantha says
I agree with Bo Peep, she should have been in it. But for the target age group? I’m a 18 year old sophomore in college and I was waiting in line for this move at midnight. Most of the kids around late highschool and early college can’t wait to see this movie.
admin says
Hi Samantha, I had NO idea! That’s good, because when I think of what i went to see in theaters when I was 18, I get shivers. Did you enjoy it?
Samantha says
I agree with Bo Peep, she should have been in it. But for the target age group? I’m a 18 year old sophomore in college and I was waiting in line for this move at midnight. Most of the kids around late highschool and early college can’t wait to see this movie.
admin says
Hi Samantha, I had NO idea! That’s good, because when I think of what i went to see in theaters when I was 18, I get shivers. Did you enjoy it?
Lauren says
Ha! I totally wondered the same things!!! I loved the movie- totally grown up adult humor though, my 4 year old was a bit baffled at some of the things I laughed at, but for the most part he loved it too. Its that comfort feeling I guess of knowing the characters and being able to identify and such, but really a ton of drama for such little toys0 we still about it all.
admin says
True Lauren. I did enjoy it, but it was an emotional rollcoaster! Maybe young Zoe will learn to focus her emotions in fiction, and that’ll take the sting out of life’s real emotion. That’s how it worked for me, who knows?
Lauren says
Ha! I totally wondered the same things!!! I loved the movie- totally grown up adult humor though, my 4 year old was a bit baffled at some of the things I laughed at, but for the most part he loved it too. Its that comfort feeling I guess of knowing the characters and being able to identify and such, but really a ton of drama for such little toys0 we still about it all.
admin says
True Lauren. I did enjoy it, but it was an emotional rollcoaster! Maybe young Zoe will learn to focus her emotions in fiction, and that’ll take the sting out of life’s real emotion. That’s how it worked for me, who knows?
Loris says
Hello! I stumbled upon this blog because I, too, wondered what really happened to Bo Beep. 🙁 On another note, I’m a junior in college & was incredibly excited for the film, along with many of my friends! To put it in our perspective, we grew up with not only Andy, but with the toys as well. Even the trailer made me tear up with the realization that Andy was already 18! Our generation grew up with countless Disney & Pixar films, so it’s been nice to see films like Princess & the Frog or Toy Story 3 back on the screen instead of the ridiculous movies that shouldn’t be appropriate at any age. I’m sorry your little girl got scared! However, I can tell you that we teenagers/college kids appreciated the movie very much. 🙂
admin says
Hi Loris, it’s nice to hear that you grew up and held on to the things you found dear in childhood. It was a good film, but a bit traumatic, even for me, as I relate to these characters from a mommy point of view. Thank you for sharing!
Loris says
Hello! I stumbled upon this blog because I, too, wondered what really happened to Bo Beep. 🙁 On another note, I’m a junior in college & was incredibly excited for the film, along with many of my friends! To put it in our perspective, we grew up with not only Andy, but with the toys as well. Even the trailer made me tear up with the realization that Andy was already 18! Our generation grew up with countless Disney & Pixar films, so it’s been nice to see films like Princess & the Frog or Toy Story 3 back on the screen instead of the ridiculous movies that shouldn’t be appropriate at any age. I’m sorry your little girl got scared! However, I can tell you that we teenagers/college kids appreciated the movie very much. 🙂
admin says
Hi Loris, it’s nice to hear that you grew up and held on to the things you found dear in childhood. It was a good film, but a bit traumatic, even for me, as I relate to these characters from a mommy point of view. Thank you for sharing!
Cassy says
I think that most kids movies these day are written with the story being directed toward adults and the “action” being more towards the kids. I know that with most movies that I understand meanings that my kids just don’t get…I tend to ignore the more meaningful questions such as what took Woody and Jessie so long to hook up…because I have to take into account that it was written for kids/basically….
admin says
Hi Cassy, I don’t mind that – I like when they throw the adults a bone or two the kids don’t get. This movie was written more, I think, for the people who were kids during the first 2 movies, or so it seems. It was very stressful for little ones who are newer fans…when they held hands going into the fire, yikes!!
Cassy says
I think that most kids movies these day are written with the story being directed toward adults and the “action” being more towards the kids. I know that with most movies that I understand meanings that my kids just don’t get…I tend to ignore the more meaningful questions such as what took Woody and Jessie so long to hook up…because I have to take into account that it was written for kids/basically….
admin says
Hi Cassy, I don’t mind that – I like when they throw the adults a bone or two the kids don’t get. This movie was written more, I think, for the people who were kids during the first 2 movies, or so it seems. It was very stressful for little ones who are newer fans…when they held hands going into the fire, yikes!!
Gwen says
My family is grown so I’m probably not the best one to comment on this. My youngest movie going grandchild is 8 and all of the family loved this movie. I don’t thing this was a movie for toddlers, as most movies aren’t. Shows for toddlers would be along the lines of that big purple dinosour and be completely boring to the rest of the world. Sorry your little one was afraid and you are right in that many of the family movies are not geared to very small children but do appeal to a wide range of adults and kids and something adults can enjoy and still not worry about the kids being exposed to adult movies.
admin says
Well Zoe is a preschooler, and she loves the earlier Toy Story films. She also loved “Horton hears a who” and “How to care for your Dragon”. It’s so confusing! I’m a huge movie buff, as is my hubby, and so too, it seems, the kids, so we’ll keep trying most likely.
Gwen says
My family is grown so I’m probably not the best one to comment on this. My youngest movie going grandchild is 8 and all of the family loved this movie. I don’t thing this was a movie for toddlers, as most movies aren’t. Shows for toddlers would be along the lines of that big purple dinosour and be completely boring to the rest of the world. Sorry your little one was afraid and you are right in that many of the family movies are not geared to very small children but do appeal to a wide range of adults and kids and something adults can enjoy and still not worry about the kids being exposed to adult movies.
admin says
Well Zoe is a preschooler, and she loves the earlier Toy Story films. She also loved “Horton hears a who” and “How to care for your Dragon”. It’s so confusing! I’m a huge movie buff, as is my hubby, and so too, it seems, the kids, so we’ll keep trying most likely.
Alison says
I agree with your thoughts on Little Bo Peep. I was devistated when I found out that she wasn’t in this movie. However both my sister and I were so excited when we heard this movie was coming out. I went with my 4 friends (13-14) and my sister(16) to see Toy Story 1 and 2 in 3-D for my birthday last year. My best friend, my sister, her two best friends, and myself went to see Toy Story 3 as soon as it came out. There was a split audience of families with young children, teenagers, and parents without children. I don’t think the creators were trying to make it a specifically a childrens movie. I’ve grown up with the Toy Story movies and I think it was a movie made to end the series for everyone that loves the Toy Story movies.
admin says
Hi Alison, thank you for your comment! I’m actually really heartened to see that so many young people saw a film with these beloved characters. I will say that Zoe was not the only one stressed out during the film. I was pretty freaked out during that incinerator scene too! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Alison says
I agree with your thoughts on Little Bo Peep. I was devistated when I found out that she wasn’t in this movie. However both my sister and I were so excited when we heard this movie was coming out. I went with my 4 friends (13-14) and my sister(16) to see Toy Story 1 and 2 in 3-D for my birthday last year. My best friend, my sister, her two best friends, and myself went to see Toy Story 3 as soon as it came out. There was a split audience of families with young children, teenagers, and parents without children. I don’t think the creators were trying to make it a specifically a childrens movie. I’ve grown up with the Toy Story movies and I think it was a movie made to end the series for everyone that loves the Toy Story movies.
admin says
Hi Alison, thank you for your comment! I’m actually really heartened to see that so many young people saw a film with these beloved characters. I will say that Zoe was not the only one stressed out during the film. I was pretty freaked out during that incinerator scene too! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Ash says
I disagree with a lot of this stuff. This is mainly because i’m a teenager, and i did go to the midnight showing, and took my younger brother, (who proceeded to tell me after the movie was over that this was now his favorite movie of all time), and there was a crap load of people there, non over the age of 13-14, (aside from my brother). And i don’t really understand why everyone thought the incinerator scene was the scariest part. If you ask me, that monkey was. but still, i’m sorry it scared your kids, but i don’t think people give young kids enough credit. I saw this movie in theatres 6 times, and every time the theatre was packed, and every time, except the first time, it was crammed with little kids, and only once did one get taken out, and that was at the beginning, because the kid was being a pain. i LOVED this movie, and i saw it with 13 people, a couple of them little kids, who all loved it. Also, on a side note, i would like to point out, that the point wasn’t that Ken was supposed to be gay, just that he’s a girl’s toy. Sorry, i don’t mean for any of this to sound mean, i’m just saying. Also, they’ve mentioned in special features for the first movie, that even Toy Story wasn’t necessarily a little kid’s movie, just a Disney movie; it’s the one they always wanted to make, that’s why there is so much adult humor in them, (Buzz’s wings popping out at the end of the 2nd one, anyone?), they just put in what they thought was funny, and it worked. And might i also say, this isn’t really the scariest Disney movie of all time either, is it? Really? If you ask me, some of the stuff in the Lion King was pretty intense to me. Sorry, really. Just giving my 2 cents. But i have to admit, i, too, am still trying to figure out what happened to Bo Peep. 🙁
admin says
Hi Ash! Well, your opinions are welcome. Just from my perspective and watching my daughter be so tensed up for those parts of the film, it was a bit of a turn off. She LOVES these characters so much, and in her wordless way, was so excited to see the movie, that even if I had known, I couldn’t prevent her from seeing it. Will I buy the DVD? Not sure..I sense she’d prefer the 1st one, which she likes more than TS 2.
Lion King: yep, that’s an intense scene, when the father is killed, true. And there’s a scene, at least one, in every Disney film that stressed the kids, this was just VERY stressful from start to finish for Zoe, who was 4 when she saw it. My 7 year old loved it, lol…much more desensitized.
Ash says
I disagree with a lot of this stuff. This is mainly because i’m a teenager, and i did go to the midnight showing, and took my younger brother, (who proceeded to tell me after the movie was over that this was now his favorite movie of all time), and there was a crap load of people there, non over the age of 13-14, (aside from my brother). And i don’t really understand why everyone thought the incinerator scene was the scariest part. If you ask me, that monkey was. but still, i’m sorry it scared your kids, but i don’t think people give young kids enough credit. I saw this movie in theatres 6 times, and every time the theatre was packed, and every time, except the first time, it was crammed with little kids, and only once did one get taken out, and that was at the beginning, because the kid was being a pain. i LOVED this movie, and i saw it with 13 people, a couple of them little kids, who all loved it. Also, on a side note, i would like to point out, that the point wasn’t that Ken was supposed to be gay, just that he’s a girl’s toy. Sorry, i don’t mean for any of this to sound mean, i’m just saying. Also, they’ve mentioned in special features for the first movie, that even Toy Story wasn’t necessarily a little kid’s movie, just a Disney movie; it’s the one they always wanted to make, that’s why there is so much adult humor in them, (Buzz’s wings popping out at the end of the 2nd one, anyone?), they just put in what they thought was funny, and it worked. And might i also say, this isn’t really the scariest Disney movie of all time either, is it? Really? If you ask me, some of the stuff in the Lion King was pretty intense to me. Sorry, really. Just giving my 2 cents. But i have to admit, i, too, am still trying to figure out what happened to Bo Peep. 🙁
admin says
Hi Ash! Well, your opinions are welcome. Just from my perspective and watching my daughter be so tensed up for those parts of the film, it was a bit of a turn off. She LOVES these characters so much, and in her wordless way, was so excited to see the movie, that even if I had known, I couldn’t prevent her from seeing it. Will I buy the DVD? Not sure..I sense she’d prefer the 1st one, which she likes more than TS 2.
Lion King: yep, that’s an intense scene, when the father is killed, true. And there’s a scene, at least one, in every Disney film that stressed the kids, this was just VERY stressful from start to finish for Zoe, who was 4 when she saw it. My 7 year old loved it, lol…much more desensitized.
Ash says
I can understand that she LOVES the characters, believe me, I can. My Round up gang and bagillion Buzz Lightyears can vouch for that, lol. 🙂 And this movie is perhaps more directed at those of us who saw the first two in theatres, but I still think little kids don’t get enough credit. But it is true, kids are just at different stages of what they can handle, and some get scared very easily. Should it have been rated G? …I don’t know. I mean, I’m personally glad it was, otherwise it would have broken the streak, but did it deserve a G rating? Maybe not. That is something I cannot argue with, lol.
Ash says
I can understand that she LOVES the characters, believe me, I can. My Round up gang and bagillion Buzz Lightyears can vouch for that, lol. 🙂 And this movie is perhaps more directed at those of us who saw the first two in theatres, but I still think little kids don’t get enough credit. But it is true, kids are just at different stages of what they can handle, and some get scared very easily. Should it have been rated G? …I don’t know. I mean, I’m personally glad it was, otherwise it would have broken the streak, but did it deserve a G rating? Maybe not. That is something I cannot argue with, lol.