Toy Story 3 & Grown Ups Posted by Matt Smith 23 June, 2010 - 1:18 PM

Toy Story 3

Voiced by Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack and Ned Beatty.

Andy has grown up. Now more concerned with college and the location of his mobile phone, his childhood toys have become a distant memory. Buzz, Woody and Co spend their days amusing themselves, desperately waiting for the day when they will be played with again.

When a mix up occurs and the toys are sent to Sunnyside day care centre their dreams may finally come true. However, what first seems to be the Club Med for toys turns into a nightmare.

Toy Story 3 has once again proven the Toy Story franchise is the benchmark that all other kids’ films are to be measured by. The animation is fantastic, the story is engrossing, the action non-stop and the laughs come thick and fast.

Our favourite characters Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and Mr and Mrs Potato Head are all present. But it is the introduction of new characters that make the film such a delight.

Lotso, a cuddly teddy bear, who runs Sunnyside like a Texas prison is one of the most memorable villains to hit the big screen in a very long time. The dark character of Lotso is perfectly contrasted by fellow Sunnyside resident, the funky Ken who falls hard and fast for Barbie.

Like last year’s Up, Toy Story 3 proves kids films do not have to appeal to kids alone. The film is the funniest, most enjoyable experience you may have at the cinema this year, regardless of your age.

Five out of Five Stars.

Grown Ups

Starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Maya Rudolph, Maria Bello and Salma Hayek.

After the passing of their high school basketball coach a group of friends reunite for a weekend get away. They return to the lakehouse where they celebrated their basketball championship decades previously. With their families along for the ride the friends find although some things change, some things stay the same.

The five friends in question are played by comedy favourites Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade and Rob Schneider. The five look like they are having the time of their lives and for the most part the laughs are infectious.

Those a little disappointed with Adam Sandler’s other ensemble comedy from last year ‘Funny People’ need not worry. ‘Grown Ups’ dispenses with the seriousness and returns to what Sandler and co know best; super stupid, immature comedy.

For the most part the jokes seem to be aimed at audiences the same age as the boys when they were basketball buddies. The female characters could have been used as a means of bringing some more maturity to the party. However, some of the female leads (Maria Bello and Maya Rudolph) get some of the film’s most outrageous scenes.

‘Grown Ups’ is certainly going to appeal to anyone that gets off on watching adults act like children. It doesn’t always hit the mark, but for the most part it is exactly what you would expect from Sandler and his buddies.

Three out of Five Stars.

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• Torrent Download says

  I enjoyed this movie. Watched it 3 times now. I feel as though James wouldn't be involved if Farley were still alive.

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  Posted Thursday 2 December, 2010 9:46 PM