I love Pixar because I know going in that I’m going to love it, and coming out I always do. Wonderful is the company that always has me walking out of the theater feeling like I’ve just seen the best movie ever. Even if it’s not really true, that’s the feeling these creators give you. Toy Story 3 is no exception. We caught it in 3D and Imax yesterday and easily went through a box of Kleenex.

Pixar has a lot of virtues. I once wrote:

“Dreamworks (referring to Shrek) churns out delightful, fun and entertaining schlock. Disposable storytelling that at least pays off the first time you see it – and then after 50 times at home I swear becomes good again – and is, at worst described as mediocre, pales in front of Pixar. Pixar creatures computer/film literature.

I’d argue that it isn’t the script, the characterization, the voice casting, the plot, the execution or even the pretty graphics and perfect timing that makes Pixar special. It’s ace-in-the-hole is the heart. Unlike most films in general, Pixar isn’t afraid to be sad or deeply touching. The best Pixar films are riddled with some of the most melancholy and emotionally memorable scenes ever made. Here’s a short list:

Toy Story 2’s “When Somebody Loves You.”

Monsters Inc’s ending “Kitty!”

Ratatouille’s “Anton Ego flashback to home cooking” and “Aton Ego’s transcendent essay on the role of the critic.”

Wall-E’s opening and the dancing with the stars scenes.

Up’s absolutely amazing and sad opening montage showing a love and a marriage all the way from beginning to end.

Toy Story 3 is about 40% “that kind of moment” and dares to be sad and moving. First by showing the virtue of sometimes NOT struggling and instead when faced with danger, appreciating one another. And then by finding the perfect ending. Pixar is maudlin, but never pathetic. They don’t veer a story into that territory by manipulating you. It doesn’t beat you over the head. Instead it does a rare thing, Pixar makes these heavy and meaningful scenes work by making them organic to the story. Really, there’s no better ending for the Toy Story story then what they’ve come up with here. The joy of being recognized (“Kitty”) as a parent. The distance that can grow between criticism and genuine appreciation. How in the face of devastating loss, that journey and sadness are always worth it. Pixar’s tear-jerking are earned the hard way, through craft and care. That and the other part of the secret is that Pixar doesn’t take it easy. They instead focus on the difficult choices – the bittersweetness that is adult life – the stuff that’s harder to explain and pull off well. Sometimes the hard thing is the right thing and that’s why animated computer characters can make us cry.

Despite the G rating, I believe this sort of thing makes Pixar’s movies among the most mature films I’ve ever seen because they always remind us parents that we’ve willingly made huge sacrifices by having children and that, despite the heartache, we wouldn’t want it any other way.

And that is what makes Pixar great and makes Toy Story 3 a rare thing in Hollywood. A series that only gets better as it goes along. Anyway, go see the movie. Take your kids, or your parents, and see a story that, also like most Pixar, is not aimed at kids. Enjoy a movie aimed at the kid in all of us instead.

Tags: Movies with Children