This is what my mum had to say about Toy Story 3

Posted by Avner Engel in Animation, Inspiration

Below is an interesting look at the subtext of Toy Story 3 by no other but my dear mother. I wanted to share this with you guys because I felt she introduced me to some interesting ideas I wasn’t aware of.

Here goes:

The movie deals with passing on the tradition of the characters from one generation to the next. Andy giving away his toys to the little girl is like a metaphor for the new generation who already know the legacy of the toys.

The scene where they are playing in the yard symbolises the imagination kids have as well as their ability to invent new worlds through their toys.

In some ways the movie is equivalent to the American dream where all humans are equal. The toys are “fighting” for a better world, a better living space, and not a jungle which is being run by gangsters like Lotso, or a chaotic place like the junk yard.

There is also an ecological subtext in the movie which comes through the film in a form of recycling the toys instead of throwing them in the bin and buying new ones.

The subtext here is to re-use and pass the tradition to someone who will appreciate and cherish it.

The transformations of Mr. Potato head were great, they added a lot of humoristic value to the film. His different forms made it easier for audiences to emphasise with him because one minute he was short and large, and the next slim and tall. There was a lot of appeal in taking it apart and putting it back together.

Only one character doesn’t really change through out the film and that’s Woody. He is the most important character because everybody is relying on him. In some ways Buzz and Woody are a comparison between the Machine and the Traditional American Pioneers. One stays solid (Woody) while the other is changing with time (Buzz).

The movie is going to be very successful because it deals with adults reminiscing on the past, thinking about their childhood. It gives them a chance to say goodbye to what’s dear to them and pass it on to the next generation.