Although sequels were likely to be produced in the future, Warner Brothers had early on promoted Toy Story as a trilogy finale, attracting a large audience of fans.
It had been more than seventeen years since the first computer-animated feature in film history. The original fans had long grown up, and the film meant the past's joy and memories to them!
Therefore, aside from today's teenagers, older audiences were also part of the film's viewership. The movie was also marketed with a nostalgic appeal.
So, when many people in their thirties or even older appeared at the premiere of Toy Story 3, it was hardly surprising.
"I don't know what to say. This series accompanied me through a carefree childhood."
In the interview area, Scarlett, linking arms with Duke, spoke without hesitation in support of the film: "It made me cry, made me laugh, touched me, and fascinated me. I spent all my pocket money collecting every toy in it. For me, Toy Story means so much. It will always be one of the most beautiful memories of my childhood."
The reporter then asked Duke for his thoughts on the series.
"Toy Story has an indelible impact on film history," Duke emphasized Pixar Studios. "It was Pixar's pioneering spirit itself that allowed the film not only to innovate technically but also to open a new world in storytelling."
"Buzz Lightyear, Woody, and the other toys immediately won the love of audiences across age groups. Their popularity rivals that of classic characters from other films. Toy Story greatly expanded the audience for animated films and redefined the rules of filmmaking. It proved that making a film that satisfies all kinds of viewers is entirely feasible. In fact, Toy Story set a benchmark for all films that followed it—whether animated or live-action."
"I remember when we released Toy Story," John Lasseter was also interviewed. "Steve Jobs said it was our Snow White. At the time, we thought, 'Hey, if Toy Story could really reach the heights of Snow White, becoming a classic everyone talks about, how cool would that be?'"
Then Andrew Stanton took over, "We wanted everyone watching Toy Story to feel it reflected a part of their own life—their childhood, their family life. That was our motivation when making Toy Story, and it remains the guiding principle for every film we create."
As Pixar's key members gradually arrived at the interview area, Duke, holding Scarlett Johansson's arm, proactively left. The Pixar staff, like the toys about to return to the big screen, were the stars of the day.
"Time flies so fast."
Walking toward the screening room, Scarlett said to Duke, "In the blink of an eye, seventeen years have passed."
"You were such a tall little thing back then," Duke gestured at waist height. "Always noisy and almost unbearable."
"So that's why you tried to avoid me back then?"
Entering the theater's lobby, Scarlett tightened her hold on Duke's arm. "I remember clearly, you were always avoiding me."
"All right, dear."
Duke didn't want to continue the topic and pointed toward the screening room, "The movie is about to start."
Although the first two Toy Story films were huge successes, some viewers still worried about the third installment, especially hardcore fans.
Sequels to classic films are often ungrateful. They are usually criticized as "inferior continuations" made for profit, so when Pixar decided to revive the toy series, many fans, while excited, couldn't help but feel concerned.
Toy Story 3 was more than ten years after the previous installment. Pixar simply let Andy grow up, making the decision to deal with the toys as he left for college.
The first hour of the film was full of peaks and valleys. The plot still reflected elements from the first two films—the conflicts among Woody and the other toys escalating and resolving, then working together toward their goal.
Here, some viewers might criticize Pixar for repeating the old path. That's correct! This part catered fully to children's tastes. The constant introduction of new characters kept the film entertaining, but not enough to make it a classic.
However, the last half-hour elevated the film's theme above the first two installments.
During the toys' escape from the landfill, they were trapped and fell into a massive furnace. Hand in hand, powerless but resolute, smiling as they awaited death, the orange light of the furnace fell on them warmly yet tragically, like the glow just before sunset.
Although the audience knew Pixar would not end the film this way, they were still moved. Sobs could be heard clearly in the theater. Over the years, there had never been a problem Woody or Buzz couldn't solve.
Yet when all the toys' efforts seemed in vain, and the heroes reached their end, the viewers, having grown up with the series, felt melancholy—Andy growing up, toys being abandoned—everything changes. This law applied even in the film.
Time brought not only the toys' fate of neglect but also took away much of childhood nostalgia. By this point, the film, beneath its humorous and lighthearted tone, subtly evoked a bittersweet sense of reminiscence.
Of course, if the film had ended tragically, many would remember it forever, but it would also have destroyed the box office.
Neither Duke nor Warner Brothers would allow that, and a reinvigorated Pixar also prevented a tragedy.
Thus, after a small "furnace adventure" trial, the toys returned safely to Andy.
A typical film might end there without losing appeal, but Andy's next choice was the biggest highlight of the film.
Guided by Woody, Andy, who initially intended to store the toys in the attic, decided to give them to a little girl, Bonnie, who also loved toys, carrying a large box in his arms.
As Andy introduced each toy, one could clearly feel his deep love for them. The more evident this affection, the harder it was to part.
Finally, when he unexpectedly took out Woody from the bottom of the box, deep sighs filled the theater. Duke even saw a girl in the front row quietly wiping her eyes. Over seventeen years, the series had created so many devoted fans…
Though reluctant, this was likely the best ending for the toys. Andy said—"They mean so much to me. I hope you'll take good care of them"—his eyes full of sighs and a hint of relief.
Andy spent a long time playing with the toys alongside Bonnie. One of the most memorable shots—Andy placing Woody on his shoulder and running laughing into the wind—had appeared in Toy Story 1, creating a full-circle moment. Here, it carried even more of a sense of farewell, yet it truly was a perfect goodbye.
Pixar, using the audience's childhood innocence as a guide, in the last half-hour of the film, directly struck at the things that had once been most important in their lives.
When many viewers thought they had grasped something after watching the film, in reality, some things were gone forever.
"Toys played an irreplaceable role in our childhood. We invested our emotions into them, giving each toy life and ability. They were the shapers of our imagination, enriching our childhood. Probably no one ever imagined saying goodbye to their toys."
As Duke exited the theater, he happened to overhear a girl being interviewed by a reporter: "Honestly, I never expected Toy Story 3 would make me cry in the cinema. The heartfelt farewell between Andy and the toys made me involuntarily recall those beautiful moments in life we had to say goodbye to one by one."
Whenever a classic film ends, it always evokes various feelings in viewers. Toy Story 3, in terms of visuals and story structure, surpasses the first two films. Even technically, Pixar Studios achieved new breakthroughs.
For example, the bear, Lotso, has a total of 3,473,271 hairs, yet Pixar rendered him lifelike.
As an industry benchmark, Pixar Studios' strength in animated films is indisputable.
For many, Toy Story 3 felt like a farewell to childhood—so unforgettable, so emotionally direct—bringing immense joy while also moving viewers to tears.
"I was tricked at first. I thought they were really going to the furnace, and I started crying. Later, when Andy introduced them to Bonnie, my tears flowed non-stop, even smudging my glasses. I truly believed that even if the toys weren't like in the movie, they would still have thoughts, a soul."
This is a deeply touching work with universal resonance—who didn't have cherished toys as a child?
"I cried twice—once when they were about to be melted, hand in hand, and again when Andy gave them to the little girl. But in the final moment, I realized some things are gone forever."
"I feel like this movie was Pixar's gift to our generation. As a kid, I always thought I would be with them forever. I never imagined life would be so short. A quarter of my life has already passed, and I had completely forgotten them. When I go home, I must dig out those childhood memories and maybe relive some of the scenes from when I was little."
"The first half had several moments when I felt like crying. I thought I might escape it this time, but the last few minutes were so touching I almost died crying. This isn't a kids' animation—it's a fairy tale for adults."
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