Yes. And no.
Shocking details emerged yesterday about the development of one of Disney/Pixar’s most cherished and well recognized animated icons. Not only was Toy Story 3 not going to be the last film for the critically acclaimed animated trilogy: the fourth entry is well on the way and is due for release in June 2017 with animator John Lasseter directing.
Who on Earth was expecting this? Even though talks and rumors have been going on for years now on the development of a possible Toy Story sequel, nothing was ever confirmed, and indeed, Toy Story 3 director Lee Unkrich ensured that nothing was going on. All of that is now disproven because of Bob Iger, Walt Disney chief executive officer, who confirmed to multiple news outlets that Toy Story 4 is indeed in production with the original creative team behind the project.
“John created Toy Story and directed the first two films,” Iger said. “It’s great to have him back directing one of our most valuable properties.”
Lasseter said that the new film will pick up right after where Toy Story 3 left off, and will be a “love story” of certain sorts.
“A lot of people in the industry view us doing sequels as being for the business of it,” Lasseter said. “But for us it’s pure passion. We only make sequels when we have a story that’s as good as or better than the original.”
Considering Lasseter is the same man who also wrote and directed Cars 2, I’m inclined to disbelieve him on that.
I’m sorry, excuse me that I’m being just a big sourpuss over here. I loved Toy Story 3. I think it’s one of the most definitive animated films ever made, going so far as to name it my favorite film of 2010. And I’m not the only one. Many other bloggers and movie lovers declared the movie as their favorite film from 2010, including Quintin Taratino himself. And one of the best things about the film was that it brought the toy’s journey with Andy to a satisfying, albeit tear-jerking, conclusion. Toy Story ended like childhood itself does, and that’s part of what brought grounded emotional reality to this seemingly innocent children’s flick.
Well, I can’t say that it ended anymore. Lasseter said people see Pixar sequels as being for the business of it. How can anyone see it as anything but? Anything beyond the Toy Story films did not fare better than the former one did. Cars 2 was not better than Cars. Monsters University was not better than Monsters Inc. Finding Dory and Incredibles 2 hasn’t come out yet, but I doubt they’ll be as good as Finding Nemo and The Incredibles. I know for a fact Toy Story 4 will not match the mastery of Toy Story 3. There is no possible way you can. Imagine if after The Dark Knight Rises was released, Christopher Nolan took himself back on his own word and started production on The Dark Knight Resurrected. I hate sequels. I hate em’, I hate em’, I hate em’, and excuse me for not jumping on the bandwagon and enjoying paying my money for an expanded franchise constantly milking the content out of its already used characters.
I know many people will be excited to hear this news, and will hurry with excitement to tell their friends that they’ll get to see Woody, Buzz and everyone else in more of their fun adventures. To which I have to ask where were you during any of their short films (“Hawaiian Vacation”, “Small Fry”, and “Partysaurus Rex”) and any of their television specials (“Toy Story of Terror!” and “Toy Story That Time Forgot”)? I’m so hard on this because a feature-length sequel is so blatantly unnecessary. I’m able to get the same wit, humor, fun, and enjoyment out of the toys by seeing their smaller-scale adventures on the small screen. Why do we need a feature-length sequel for any reason other than for commercial value?
I’m sorry for being so hard on this, but I’m really not happy about this.What do you guys think? Are you excited for the toy’s return to the big screen, or are you like me and wish they kept themselves under the bed?
Comment below, let me know.
– David Dunn
SOURCE: IGN, Variety, Buzzfeed
DAVID DUNN 