Halleluiah! A part three that doesn't suck. While its too early for me to say whether or not Toy Story 3 is as good as part one and two (I'd like to see it a couple more times first--Imax 3D, here I come), I can wholeheartedly say that this is a great film. Perhaps the most ingenious aspect of Toy Story 3 is that it doesn't feel stale. Three chapters in, we know these toys all too well, but director Lee Unkrich and writer Michael Arndt have come up with an imaginative way to bring the majority of these beloved characters back (without giving too much away, the plot is set into motion when Andy decides its time to head off to college). In addition to the likes of Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) there are also a few new characters thrown into the mix (watch for Michael Keaton's hilarious Ken, Ned Beatty's mysterious Lots-O'-Huggin' Bear, and James Anthony Cotton's sullen Chuckles the Clown).

What's more, Toy Story 3 takes chances. Not only have the film makers brought a much welcome creepy vibe to the franchise (I can't shake that image of Big Baby from my brain), but Toy Story 3 is also edgy offering up a true sense of danger (there were a few moments here when I was certain a couple of our fearless leads wouldn't make it to the end). Through it all, the folks at Pixar do what they do best. They fuse a creative outpour of vibrant imagery, clever hijinx, colorful characters, and big time laughs with undeniably touching storytelling. And in fact, I would be so bold as to proclaim that the final fifteen minutes of this picture is just about as emotionally gripping as the opening act of last year's Up. And if Toy Story 3 weren't great enough, its preceded by a masterful Pixar short called Day and Night. While I've enjoyed all of Pixar's stellar shorts, this stunning tale of a chance encounter between day and night is probably my favorite.