So Long Partner

Today I went to see the conclusion of the Toy Story trilogy, the exciting end to 15 years of work. To say the least, I was a little nervous about it. I mean this is like The Godfather of animation, and we all know how well the third try went the first time around. So I'm thinking to myself, Pixar is testing fate, they are staring all of cinema history in the face, attempting the never before perfect trifecta. But then again, who can say no a couple of irresistible toys that bring childhood rushing back to a viewer of any age--that's right, no one. So with the thoughts of seeing Toy Story for the first time (way back in 1995 when the iPod was half a decade away and Pixar was the new kid on the block), I entered the movie theater hoping for the best.

In true Pixar fashion, the film has sparks of brilliant humor, enough for a 7 year old to share with his father. The story line takes the viewer from heights beyond infinity to depths so low they end in fire, and through it all there is steadfast friendship and loyalty on display. I don't want to give it all away to the unfortunate few who have yet to see it, but I can't help share a little. After watching two hours of a comedy, thriller, action, love flick it took me until the final scenes to see the perfection of the third installment. Pixar had it from the start, and they incorporated me in it since the beginning. The Toy Story ensemble is about growing up and the hardships of sticking together through the thick and thin of adolescence. It brings it perfectly to an understanding clear enough for the 6 year old Andy I was back in '95 and nuanced enough for the 20 year old critic I am today. Damned if they didn't pull it off. The perfect trilogy, the perfect ending to a monumental story. The impossible has a face and it's digitized plastic with a heart that beats truer and more loyal than Clemenza himself. As one of millions of Andy's out there, I'm saying thanks Toy Story for a long childhood of fun and memories; for teaching me that growing up is part of life; and for showing me that even though we move on we don't lose what we always had. So here it is, one final time. So long Buzz, so long Woody, so long partners.