Toy Story 3D (PG) ***** (with trailer)

Oct 2 2009 by Graham Young, Birmingham Mail

THE toys are back in town – and in 3D to boot!

First released in the UK in March, 1996, this is the film which started Pixar off on its incredible journey.

One that leads directly to next week’s release of the critically-acclaimed US hit, Up, which – to bring the wheel full circle – has been co-directed by Toy Story’s co-writer, Pete Docter.

Toy Story has now been transformed into 3D at the behest of John Lasseter, the director (and one of seven co-writers) of this film.

Its success helped to pave the way for him to become the chief creative officer of both Pixar and Disney with plans under way for Toy Story 2 3D on January 22, plus Toy Story 3 to come (in 3D naturally) next summer.

Although the technology simply gives this new version a touch more depth, it also made me jump once, too, when Rex the dinosaur bounces into view.

As well as being a big believer in 3D, Lasseter rightly realises the classic nature of this film means that nobody under the age of 15 will remember seeing it in cinemas.

Adults may well wish to see it again.

Why? Well, for example, we didn’t have any children in 1996.

Now we’ve got three and, in that period, friends like Woody and Buzz Lightyear have actually come to live in our house.

Toy Story is one of the greatest movies ever made, both as a groundbreaker and in its own right. The voicework by Tom Hanks (Woody) and Tim Allen (Buzz) is some of the best ever committed to film.

Best of all, as a parent, you’ll see Toy Story in a whole new light.

The chipped paint around the edges of Andy’s door, for instance, is a glorious reminder of one of those ‘little jobs’ I’m supposed to be getting round to doing in our house.