Toy Story 3: THE HTF 3D ADDICT REVIEW (1 Viewer)

 

 

 

 

TOY STORY 3

Studio: Walt Disney

Product Release: November 1, 2011

Ratio: 1.78:1

Audio: 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital EX

Running Time: 103 Minutes

Rating: G

ON A SCALE 0-5

Overall 3D Presentation Rating: 5

3D Separation: 5

3D In Yo' Face Factor: 1

It's now ten years later and Andy is getting ready to leave

for college.  Now an adolescent, it's time for him to say

goodbye to his toys: Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Hamm 

(John Ratzenberger), Slink (Blake Clark), Rex (Wallace Shawn), 

Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles) and Jessie (Joan Cusack).  

Will they be desined for the attic or the trash heap?  This 

is the conflict that faces our favorite toy-chest friends as 

Woody (Tom Hanks) assures them all that they will safely 

stored in the attic.  However, a mishap with a garbage bag 

leads the group of toys to Sunnyside Daycare where they meet 

its caretaker, a cuddly bear named Lots-O'-Huggin' (Ned Beatty), 

a new Barbie (Jodie Benson) and her counterpart Ken (Michael

Keaton).  Things take a turn for the worse when Woody discovers 

a horrible secret at Sunnyside and must suddenly plan a daring 

escape for he and his friends. 

As I have been slowly making my way through the trilogy, I have 

found myself wonderfully overwhelmed by the quality of the 

conversions done for the Toy Story films.  The experience of 

watching these films in 3D has been if I had been seeing them for 

the very first time with new eyes.  As I have progressed through 

each film in the series, I found that the quality of animation and the 

magnifying effect that 3D brings to it, increasingly more refined.  

With all the accolades I had given to Toy Story and Toy Story 2 for 

its stunning metamorphosis, little did I realize that these films were 

simply warming me up for the visual experience of watching Toy Story 3.

While nothing surpasses the charm of the original, the sequels have 

greatly benefited from the advances in computer animation and the 

clarity of high definition.  Certainly, Toy Story 3 is the sharpest of all 

the transfers which means there is a level of unsurpassed detail to enjoy.  

For example, I immediately noticed more defined texture within the 

animation such as the finely detailed strands of Andy's hair. I even 

discovered for the first time that Bullseye the horse is made of cloth.  

These are perfect examples of how Pixar continues to improve upon

and break new ground with their computer animation.

It seemed when Disney decided not to originally release Toy Story 3

to Blu-ray 3D, the purists were somewhat relieved citing that the

process would only diminish the vibrance of colors. I am very pleased to

say that Toy Story 3  in 3D looks as vibrant and colorful as ever!  You 

immediately notice that aspect from the very first moments of the film 

where we are plunged into a landscape of beautifully saturated red 

rocks set against a piercingly deep blue sky. It's actually quite 

breathtaking to take in.  The rest of the film looks extremely well polished 

with startling rich black levels (most evident in Potato Head's mustache 

and hat) that add just enough needed texture.  There is absolutely no 

digital artifacts to be found anywhere. This transfer is picture-perfect!

If you have been following my reviews of this trilogy to date, you 

have heard me talk about viewing without borders.  It's the kind of 

experience that a great 3D film provides.  Imagine a transfer so purely 

flawless and sharply defined that your display becomes a picture window 

where action plays within it and one gets the feeling of being able to 

reach in and touch its players. It's a world where you quickly forget that 

glasses are required.

Toy Story 3 is the first in the film series to actually be imagined

with the format in mind.  For that reason, the depth is more pronounced 

and specific object placement such as hanging ceiling decorations 

at Sunnyside or a toy mobile set placed over a bed stand out within 

their particular scenes.  For those that like their 3D "tastefully" done, 

you can't do better than this film.  However, those like myself that pay 

a premium to watch a 3D film are going to be highly disappointed that 

the filmmakers don't take advantage of the process by throwing an

object or two towards the audience.  While I am going to try and refrain

from going into my usual rant about this practice, I will say that it is 

becoming more evident that Hollywood is more interested in cashing 

in on the phenomenon than making films that really WOW the audience.  

And you know what?  Perhaps this is just the wrong film to even attempt 

to make an argument about, because really, Toy Story 3 ranks as the 

best non-gimmicky 3D title currently available.

The film's 7.1 DTS-HD MA audio downconverted to 5.1 on my 

system, provides a spectacular encompassing sonic experience 

with exceptional clarity, engaging surround activity and supporting 

bass.  There's a more complex mix heard here than in the films 

that preceded it, with more emphasis put on the placement of effects 

such as kids that scurry across the listening field or the menacing 

sound of motors that make up a garbage conveyer belt.  The film's 

actions sequences would not seem as climactic if not for the abundance 

of bass that supports it.  Whether it be the simple "thud" of a slamming 

car door or the thunderous boom of a nuclear explosion filled with "death 

by monkeys," there is enough bass here to keep the viewer's floor 

shaking throughout.

Toy Story 3 arrives in a 5-disc combo pack that includes the 

3D Blu-ray, 2D Blu-ray, Blu-ray bonus disc, DVD feature and 

Digital Copy disc.  All of this is sleeved in cardboard lenticular 

packaging.   The 3D Blu-ray contains 3D trailers for Pixar's upcoming 

Brave and Planes.  Extra features include "Day & Night" theatrical 

short, Buzz Lightyear Mission Logs: The Science of Adventure, Toy 

Story Trivia Dash - Interactive Game, Cine-Explorer with director Lee 

Unkrich and Producer Darla Anderson, Bonnie's Playtime - a story 

roundtable with director Lee Unkrich, Paths to Pixar: Editorial, three 

Studio Stories, and more.

CONCLUSION

WIth all due respect to the original, Toy Story 3 is the best 3D 

experience of the series.  In fact, despite the fact that there is not 

a blatant gimmick to be found here, there is more than enough 

WOW factor to make this one of the best 3D titles currently available.

I would certainly urge everyone who is considering picking up at 

least one of these films on 3D Blu-ray, to purchase them all.  For 

each title progressively improves upon its predecessor in providing

exemplary 3D for your display.

Disney needs to be commended for doing such a wonderful job

with all these titles!

Images are for illustrative purpose only not representative of the picture quality of this disc. 

Equipment

LG 60PX950 THX Certified 3D display

Oppo BDP-93 3D Blu-ray Player

Denon 3311CI Receiver

Atlantic Technology H-PAS AT-1 fronts, 4400 center; 4200 rear speakers

SV Sound Subwoofer