In a world filled with video games that seem more lifelike than real life and 3-D televisions hitting the market, computer generated cartoon characters are clearly nothing new. Though the style has become main stream, Toy Story, the film that started it all, is doing its best to stay significant, and appears to be succeeding. There is already tons of hype surrounding the impending release of Toy Story 3, a 3-D installment in the already classic series, and it's sure to only grow as it gets closer to its June 18th release.
One key to Toy Story's perennial success is that the flicks are generally as enjoyable for parents as they are for youngsters and this one looks like it's no different. The story focuses on Andy, the owner of all these iconic toys, heading away to college. This topic is an almost surefire hit for parents whose kids were young when the first movie was released and will be going through that before long if they haven't already. This also means that the teenagers and twenty-somethings who were children when the first came out will also be able to relate. Almost the entire cast of stars including Tim Allen and Tom Hanks, have reprized their roles, and stars like Michael Keaton (who plays an eccentric Ken doll) and Timothy Dalton have been added, fueling the fire even more for adults to get interested.
Like one could would expect with any Disney movie, toy stores are beginning to stock up on Woody and Buzz Lightyear toys and Halloween costume stores have begun to stock up with Toy Story costumes anywhere from the classics to characters as little known as the Little Green Men squeeze toys. With its well-timed summer opening, this Halloween is sure to look like a coast to coast casting call for a live action Toy Story movie. I've even noticed a sexy Bo Peep costume circling around for grown-ups!
Toy Story 3 will more than likely be the most popular movie of the year, and Toy Story costumes and toys will be the hottest trends around. Don't blame me if you're the only one not leaving for infinity and beyond!
