A cinematic Treat in Time for the Holidays

Your little angels have watched the old Toy Story DVDs too many times to count, so it’s a good job the latest instalment is on its way. That’s right, Toy Story 3 – in 3D – comes to UK cinema screens on July 23rd, just in time for the school summer holidays.

With new adventures, brand new characters and a whole new (grown up) Andy, Toy Story 3 is action-packed from beginning to end. An adult Andy – the toys’ owner – leaves for college in the new film. But will he forget about his beloved toys once they’re out of sight?

Join Woody the cowboy (Andy’s favourite toy and chief of all the toys), space ranger Buzz Lightyear, Mr Potato Head and Barbie and Ken as they do their best to stick together. As ever, no toy can get left behind and it’s Woody and Buzz’s mission to ensure no one comes to any harm.

But is it that easy? Cue lots of thrills, spills and hilarious scrapes as the toys do their best to make it home after being dumped in a day-care centre. Will they make it back in one piece?

Find out on July 23rd and meet brand new characters Big Baby, Buttercup, Twitch and Chatter Telephone. What’s more, you can watch as Barbie’s eyes light up when Ken first sets eyes on her!

Directed by Lee Unkrich (the co-director of Toy Story 2 and Finding Nemo), the film welcomes an all-star cast including Tom Hanks, Whoopi Goldberg and Joan Cusack. Opening the bursting toy box once more, the creators of the film bring Disney Pixar fans back to the wonderful world of Woody, Buzz Lightyear and friends.

But while the movie follows on from Toy Story and Toy Story 2, kids who’ve not seen previous instalments won’t need to worry. A brand new plot sees the toys set out on an altogether new adventure – and they’re ready to take you with them.

Join colourful Ken (who comes decked out in a leopard print top and pale blue shorts combo) on safari in Toy Story 3. He’s always ready for some fun and he can give even Barbie a run for her money on the accessories front! Wearing sensible loafers, a trendy scarf and gold belt, Ken is also a great mover on the dance floor!

Lots-o’Huggin’ Bear is another new addition to the Toy Story series, joining old favourites Woody, Buzz, Mr Potato Head and more. A jumbo purple extra soft bear, this new character stands head and shoulders above the other toys.

With a big old belly just asking to be hugged, Lots-O’Huggin’ Bear smells like sweet strawberries and has a velvety soft purple nose. He’s just one of the new characters to be found in Sunnyside day care-centre in Toy Story 3.

Cutesy Dolly is a soft and sweet dress-up rag doll with vibrant purple hair and huge eyes. She joins new toys including Peas-in-a-Pod, Buttercup and Trixie for a brand new set of adventures.

The latter character, a massive blue dinosaur, helps kids magically transport themselves to a time when dinosaurs ruled the earth. Made of rigid, durable plastic, Trixie comprises an expressive mouth and moveable legs. Will she be a hit with the other toys? You’ll soon find out!

Remember Disney Toy Story 2, which saw Andy head off to Cowboy Camp while Woody, Buzz Lightyear and co held the fort in the play room? The action was turned up a notch or two when an obsessive toy collector named Al McWiggin, the owner of Al’s Toy Barn, kidnaps Woody.

Woody soon discovers that he’s a hugely valued collectible toy from a 1950s TV show called Woody’s Roundup. Here, he meets other prized toys from the show, including Jessie the cowgirl, who also returns for Toy Story 3.

And who could forget the original and very first Toy Story? Led by Woody, Andy’s toys live happily until owner Andy’s birthday and the arrival of new toy, Buzz Lightyear. But the toys don’t live so harmoniously now that space ranger Buzz has arrived.

Woody’s afraid of losing his place in Andy’s heart. After all, he is Andy’s favourite toy. Soon, Woody’s plotting against Buzz and turning the other toys against him.

But when Woody and Buzz are separated from their owner, the hilariously mismatched pair have to try their hardest to get on – for Andy’s sake. They find themselves on an action-packed adventure to make it back to Andy’s room, but do they make a safe return?

Of course they do! And they’re all ready and raring to set out on their latest adventure in Toy Story 3. If you want to jog your memory before you book your tickets, get out your old Toy Story DVD and get yourself up to speed again.

Produced by Darla K Anderson, who joined Pixar Animation Studios in 1993, Toy Story welcomes the return of Director Lee Unkrich, who co-directed Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc, Finding Nemo and Wall-E.

Darla K Anderson has lent her producing talents to many a hit Disney Pixar animation, including Monsters Inc, A Bug’s Life and, of course, Toy Story. She also produced the Golden Globe-winning feature Cars and is now one of the animation studio’s most accomplished producers

Like the previous Toy Story films, Toy Story 3 looks set to feature a great musical score. And it wouldn’t be Toy Story without an all-star cast behind the voices of some of the most recognisable characters in cartoon history.

Join Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Whoppi Goldberg, Don Rickles and more as they take on the world! Running for 103 minutes, there’ll be no fidgety kids either. Undoubtedly one of the must-see films of the summer, why not take the whole family for an afternoon at the cinema?

Browse the Internet and you can even see a short trailer for the film, should you really want to whet your appetite before you head off to the pictures. What adventures are in store for the gang this time? There’s just weeks left before you find out!

Toy Story 3 toys brought to life at Toys R Us

Fifteen years after the original ’Toy Story’ movie made it to the big screen, Toys ”R” Us is preparing its stores to celebrate the new instalment of this popular franchise, “Toy Story 3.” This time around, Toys “R” Us will bring the brand to life with toys based on the new characters and exciting new products. With their endearing love for the cast of ’Toy Story’, kids and parents alike, will delight in a visit to the new “Toy Story 3” feature wall at local Toys “R” Us stores.

In 1995, when ’Toy Story’ was released by Pixar in the U.K., it set a new standard for animation and made an overnight sensation of Buzz Lightyear. Toys “R” Us experienced an overwhelming demand, with queues forming outside stores across the UK, so customers could get their hands on toys based on the new ’Toy Story’ characters.

The latest “Toy Story 3” animated movie welcomes back Woody, Buzz and cowgirl Jessie, who are joined by new characters, including Barbie and Ken, a hedgehog named Mr. Prickle pants, and a pink bear called Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear. Customers will be able to buy toys based on these new and updated characters beginning Tuesday 1st June at any Toys “R” Us store. 

Toys “R” Us will create the ultimate in-store display defining some of the movie’s main characters on massive visual and audio imagery giving fans a unique ’Toy Story’ shopping experience.

Highlights of the new toy lines include, Talking Woody and Talking Jessie, Jet Pack Buzz, a massive range from Lego, along with an exciting range from Imaginext which is exclusive to Toys R Us.

Toys “R” Us, U.K. has the broadest selection of ’Toy Story’ toys available, including dressing up costumes, puzzles, board games, video games, bikes, battery powered cars and many other new items for 2010.

Mike Coogan, Marketing Director, Toys “R” Us, U.K., said “’Toy Story’ appeals to a wide age-range in the children’s market, and our massive 24-foot feature wall featured in all 75 stores nationwide allows us to present the widest assortment of “Toy Story 3” merchandise in an environment that is second to none”.

“’Toy Story’ products have been favourites among children since Toys “R” Us introduced the toy range back in 1995. The latest range, to launch next Tuesday, will see a ’Toy Story’ Pop-up Space Rocket Tent being given Free to those customers spending £75 or more on “Toy Story” products. Toys “R” Us staff across the country are delighted about the launch and are geared up for ’Toy Story’ mania. Anyone who loves ’Toy Story’, will enjoy a trip to Toys “R” Us – the displays will be amazing and the new toy range is very exciting”.