Behind The Voice Actors Toy Story 3
Toy Story 3 is a 2010 American 3D computer-animated comedy-drama film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and directed by Lee Unkrich. It is the third installment in the Toy Story franchise, and the sequel to Toy Story 2 (1999). The film focuses on Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and their friends, who accidentally get donated to a daycare center after their owner, Andy, leaves for college. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide.
The Voice Cast
The voice cast of Toy Story 3 includes some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Tom Hanks returned to voice Woody, while Tim Allen voiced Buzz Lightyear. Joan Cusack returned to voice Jessie, while Don Rickles, who passed away two months before the film's release, reprised his role as Mr. Potato Head through the use of archival recordings. Other notable cast members include:
- Michael Keaton as Ken
- Ned Beatty as Lotso
- Wallace Shawn as Rex
- John Ratzenberger as Hamm
- Blake Clark as Slinky Dog (replacing Jim Varney, who passed away in 2000)
The Production
The production of Toy Story 3 started in 2006, with Lee Unkrich taking over as the director from John Lasseter, who directed the first two films. Unkrich wanted to make a film that would be a tribute to the first two films, and also serve as a conclusion to the trilogy. The film's story was developed by Unkrich, Lasseter, and screenwriter Michael Arndt.
The film was animated using Pixar's proprietary software, which allowed for more realistic movement and facial expressions. The film's animators also had to create a new look for Andy, who was now 17 years old and about to go to college. They wanted to make him look like a younger version of Tom Hanks, who voices Woody.
The film's score was composed by Randy Newman, who had also composed the scores for the first two films. The film's soundtrack includes the song "We Belong Together," which was written and performed by Newman, and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
The Reception
Toy Story 3 was a critical and commercial success. The film received universal acclaim from critics, who praised its emotional depth, humor, and animation. The film currently holds a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
The film was also a box office success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide. It was the highest-grossing animated film of all time until Frozen (2013) surpassed it in 2014. The film's success led to the creation of a fourth installment, Toy Story 4, which was released in 2019.
The Legacy
Toy Story 3 is widely regarded as one of the best animated films of all time, and a fitting conclusion to the Toy Story trilogy. The film's themes of friendship, growing up, and letting go resonated with audiences of all ages, and its emotional ending left many viewers in tears.
The film's success also cemented Pixar's status as one of the leading animation studios in the world. The studio has continued to produce critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, including Inside Out (2015), Coco (2017), and Toy Story 4 (2019).
Conclusion
Toy Story 3 is a beloved film that has left a lasting impact on audiences around the world. Its emotional story, memorable characters, and stunning animation continue to captivate viewers of all ages, and its success has paved the way for future animated films. Whether you're a longtime fan of the Toy Story franchise, or you're just discovering it for the first time, Toy Story 3 is a film that you won't want to miss.