Toy Story 3: The Best Threequel Ever Made?

3-D

Any movie worth its red and blue specs is being released in 3-D these days. Avatar 's colossal box office proved once and for all that audiences are hungry for the immersive experience.

Disney has been whetting appetites by releasing Toy Story and Toy Story 2 in limited 3-D runs as a taster for things to come.

But TS3 is the first of the bunch to have been made with 3-D in mind.

Up was Pixar's first 3-D release, and it proved they're as adept as James Cameron with the technology.

And thematically it works. Coraline proved how beautiful dolls could look in 3-D, so it should be perfect for capturing TS3 's toy's-eye-view of the world.

Despite the dazzling array of technology, we trust Pixar to use the 3-D in service of the story, and not vice versa.

Threequel Fail : Jaws 3-D .

The cinema release of the killer-fish sequel used 3-D sequences to lure audiences, but couldn't hide the fact that setting the movie at SeaWorld provoked more laughs than it did screams. And the tagline ('The third dimension is terror') was equally tittersome.

Time Has Moved On

Toy Story 3 has walked a laboured path to the screen , with Disney threatening to make the movie without Pixar's involvement.

Any issues seem to have been well and truly smoothed out, with Pixar supremo John Lasseter now head honcho at Disney Animation, TS3 has been given the respect that such a project deserves.

TS3 is respectful of the amount of time that has passed since TS2 (over 10 years!) with the plot picking up just as Andy is preparing to leave home for college.

Threequel Fail: Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines .

Ignoring the fact that Arnold Schwarzenegger had aged 12 years since T2, the obligatory 'buns' shot was still included.

The Old Gang Is Back

When you're reuniting one of the finest animated ensembles since Disney's golden era, you need someone who knows the ropes.

Lee Unkrich is sitting in the director's chair, after editing TS1 and TS2 , and co-directing TS2 . A Pixar veteran, Unkrich is keeping the fans sated via his Twitter feed .

Our confidence is increased further by the return of all the major voice actors (even John Morris is returning to voice the now-older Andy).

Threequel Fail: Home Alone 3 .

Child-megastar Macauley Culkin was a bit long in the tooth by the time this belated threequel got into production. Culkin's replacement by nauseating moppet Alex D. Linz is a reflection of the total personnel makeover the family franchise suffered.

Hard to believe it's based on a John Hughes script.

New Supporting Characters

We know that Pixar has a particularly strong line in supporting characters . That looks set to continue with TS3 , which sees the introduction of several new characters, including Buttercup, Lots-O'-Huggin' Bear, and Peas-in-a-Pod.

The trailer's portrayal of Barbie's other half, Ken (Michael Keaton), hints at comic genius and we can't wait to see more of Flight of the Conchords ' Kristen Schaal in plastic triceratops form!

Threequel Fail : Spider-Man 3 .

Still the example of choice for anyone who is trying to prove that superhero movies are spoilt by too many villains. Shame Sam Raimi won't be getting another chance to redeem his Spiderverse.

Upping The Action

Pixar have always excelled at delivering action set pieces, with one of the most memorable still being Toy Story 's final chase. The TS3 trailer goes all-out to showcase the increased action (swarms of drooling toddlers, a train chase) that should be amazing in 3-D.

Pixar know that emotional involvement is key to an engaging set-piece, and considering the nostalgia factor, expect this one to get the adrenaline racing and the tears streaming.

Threequel Fail : Jurassic Park 3 .

All the dinosaur action you could ask for, but it's nothing without Spielberg's trademark tension.

Fresh Screenwriter

Michael Arndt was the man charged with scripting the the toys' latest outing. He's only had one script turned into a movie, but that happened to be Little Miss Sunshine , which won Arndt an Oscar for his troubles.

There's probably not many animation studios who would hire the scripter of such offbeat indie fare to take the reins on their biggest property, but it should pay off in spades.

Hopefully Arndt will be able to create the same bittersweet blend of laughs and tears with this ragtag bunch.

Threequel Fail: Shrek the Third .

Despite the work of at least four credited screenwriters, the script failed to produce one memorable gag.

Truly Super Heroes

In Buzz and Woody, Pixar created a classic double act. One defiantly old-school, the other slick and space-age, kids (and adults) fell for at least one half of the duo.

Woody is worldly, wise, and sentimental, while Buzz is naive, brash and charming.

While it's commendable that Pixar refuse to churn out by-the-numbers sequels, you can't help wanting to revisit some of their greatest creations.

We won't ever see a Wall-E: 3 or an Up, Up And Away!, so let's enjoy the excitement of returning Pixar pals while we can.

Threequel Fail : Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End .

While most cinemagoers desperately wanted to spend more time in the company of Jack Sparrow, few could give a monkey's about Will Turner or Elizabeth Swann, and their seemingly-endless plot arc.

In-joke heaven

The TS3 trailer alone is packed with enough in-jokes to keep even the most rabid Pixar fanboys happy.

Pixar alumni cameos, the famed A113, and an appearance from Miyazaki's Totoro can all be found in the trailer.

The movie itself will probably be full of so many easter eggs that it'll demand endless re-watching.

Threequel Fail : Austin Powers in Goldmember .

While the opening cameo-fest still impresses, what follows feels like Myers is throwing in every possible Powers gag, Bond spoof or Carry On... reference he can, with little respect for coherence, or indeed comedy.

Merchandise You Actually Want To Own

Perhaps Toy Story has shoved itself into movie geeks' collective unconscious so firmly because we can all relate to the concept.

Everyone played with toys as a kid at some point, and even if you didn't, you can get a perfect replica of your TS favourite.

The TS merchandise feels genuine, so when you see it everywhere this summer, it won't feel as cynical as some kid-baiting cash-ins. It may even encourage you to dig a few of your old favourites out.

Perfect for anyone whose ever owned an Overlook Hotel/Cyberdyne Systems/Nexus-6 (delete as appropriate) T-shirt.

Threequel Fail : Schumacher's bondage-inspired revisions of Batman and Robin's suits felt a little unwholesome on kids' toys.

Read our Toy Story 3 review