Commercial feature

It’s mere weeks until the makers of Toy Story 3 put us all out of our misery. The long-awaited third instalment of the Toy Story series bursts onto UK cinema screens on July 23rd, this time in 3D!

A Disney Pixar film franchise, Toy Story, Toy Story 2 and the upcoming Toy Story 3 are based on the hilariously adventurous lives of the toys of Andy’s bedroom. This time, though, Andy is a grown up, all set to head off to college and leave his once beloved toys behind.

Lead characters include Andy’s favourite toy, Woody the cowboy, and his buddy Buzz Lightyear, the loyal space toy. Join the pair, old favourites including Slinky Dog and Hamm the pig, as well as a massive 14 brand new characters in a whole new adventure for the summer.

You’ve probably watched your Toy Story DVD nearly as many times as you’ve had hot dinners! So thankfully there’s a Disney Toy Story plot to get your teeth into this year. If the previous Disney Pixar offerings are anything to go by, film fans will be in for a real treat.

Featuring a star cast including Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, Joan Cusack as Jessie the Yodelling Cowgirl and Michael Keaton as Ken, the hird film looks set to be a firm family favourite.

Written by Michael Arndt and directed by Lee Unkrich, new Toy Story fans needn’t worry if they haven’t seen Toy Story 2. All will be explained to keep you up to speed in the new plot.

At 103 minutes long, the film is the perfect length for otherwise fidgety kids! What scrapes will the toys get themselves into this time? Toy Story saw Woody and Buzz Lightyear get kidnapped by an evil toy killer, while Toy Story 2 saw Woody face danger as he was stolen by a toy collector who discovered the cowboy was a highly valuable rare collectible.

This time, the toys find themselves dumped in a day-care centre when Andy sets off to college as a grown adult. Who will they meet while they’re there? And what will they get themselves into this time? Watch this space!

Produced by Pixar’s Darla K Anderson, Toy Story 3 sees Lee Unkrich join the franchise as director for the first time. Unkrich, who’s a long-time member of the creative team at Pixar, has co-directed Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc, Finding Nemo and Wall-E – all previous Pixar hits.

So, what new characters are in store for Toy Story 3? Remember Barbie’s love interest, Ken, from our childhood? Well, he’s back and he’s come kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

Welcome the super stylish Ken, who comes decked out in a blue leopard print shirt, pale blue shorts, trendy scarf and gold belt. He’s ready to woo Barbie in the new film and she’s ready to be introduced to her brand new ‘swinging bachelor’.

Did you know Ken could dance, too? See for yourself in the new film, you’ll certainly be impressed and see a whole new side to the much-loved kids’ toy. Ken can give David Beckham and Posh Spice a run for their money in the style stakes for sure, too.

But he’s not the only new toy to be welcomed into the gang. Toy Story fans will meet everyone from the cutesy Dolly to the cuddly large purple toy Lots-o’Huggin’ Bear. A first for Pixar, the bear – Lotso for short – is the only cuddly toy to be featured in a Toy Story film.

Watch out for other new arrivals Peas-in-a-Pod, Trixie, Buttercup and more in this action-packed new Disney Pixar film. As the Toy Story toys head for Sunnyside day care centre in the third film, they soon have to fend for themselves once again. The toys are rightly worried about their uncertain future now Andy has flown the nest and left for college.

As ever, it’s Buzz Lightyear and Woody’s mission to ensure that not one single toy gets left behind as they set out on their exciting new missions. In the day-care centre, the toys are left to their own devices as a group of unruly tots can’t wait to get their sticky little fingers on Woody, Buzz and co.

Will they survive? It’s all for one and one for all as the toys join Barbie’s love interest Ken, a hedgehog aptly named Mr Pricklepants and Lots-o’Huggin’ Bear to plan their great escape.

Writer Michael Arndt has deservedly won an Oscar and several other accolades and nominations for Little Miss Sunshine, which he previously worked on. He’s set to pull it out of the bag once more with Toy Story 3, which will undoubtedly be the family film of the summer.

Will the toys survive in the big, bad world without their playmate and owner? The good news is Toy Story fans don’t have to wait long to find out, with just weeks until its UK release date. Make an afternoon of it and take the whole family out to watch the film, pre-booking your tickets to ensure you get the best seats!

Keep an eye on the Internet for special offers, online cinema deals and news ahead of the film’s release to keep up to date. Who knows, there may even be the opportunity to catch an early screening at selected UK cinemas.

If you’ve missed Woody, Buzz and the gang, you’ll be pleased to know they’re back again this summer and they’re inviting some brand new friends along for the bumpy roller coaster ride. Put it on your list of things to do this summer, you won’t be disappointed.

Just ensure you don’t spoil the film too much by reading online reviews of the premiere! You don’t want to ruin the film for yourself and your family after all.

Loved by kids and adults the world over, you’ll feel like a child again on Christmas Day once the film hits cinema screens. And remember, we don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing! Enjoy!