I’m such an avid movie goer that to me any movie is better than no movie, but after I managed to see three terrible movies in a row I made a vow stop supporting bad movies, and to avoid summer blockbusters this year. With the exception of one: Toy Story 3. I have not missed a single Pixar movie in theaters (with the exception of Cars, but I have my reasons) so my new set of ethics would have to be put aside to brave the multiplexes once more.

What can I say about this movie that isn’t already obvious? Not much. It’s brilliant. It’s strange to think that the Toy Story films have succeeded where even Francis Ford Coppola failed with his acclaimed Godfather series. They have managed to make two sequels that rival the brilliance of the first. Toy Story 3 takes place a decade after the last one, with Andy all grown up and going to college, and the toys buried in a chest covered in dust. After a mix up between where the toys belong (attic vs. donation box) the toys wind up at a daycare center. Sunnyside seems like paradise for abandoned toys. The kids cycle out, but never the toys. It’s an existential dream come true for our beloved characters, but it’s an illusion. The reality of Sunnyside is grim, and subsequently the film becomes an homage to great Prison Break films like The Great Escape and Cool Hand Luke.

The last 15 minutes are extremely emotional. I felt strange being so moved by a kids movie, until I looked around to see my neighbors wiping the tears from their eyes. It’s such a relief to finally see a movie that makes you feel something. Sometimes you forget that that’s what they are supposed to do. See this movie. If not for the main attraction, then for the opening short Day & Night, which might be the most brilliant 4 minutes of animation I’ve ever seen. The movie made 100 Million dollars this weekend, so I know some of you saw it. Let me know what you thought in the comments below!