More than ten years have passed since Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story first hit the big screen. There was little to remember from the first, aside from little green army men and little boys strapping toys to rockets. The second movie was a blur of a big man wearing a chicken suit intent on restoring a cowboy named Woody after he started coming apart at the seams.

On June 18, Disney/Pixar released the final installment to the Toy Story saga. Despite the fact that many of the characters from the first two movies did not make it to the end, it was pleasing to see that many of the main characters such as Woody and Buzz Lightyear, along with cowgirl Jessie and her horse Bulls-Eye, Slinky-Dog and Mr. and Mrs. Potato head had stuck around.

In a way, it felt like these characters had really grown up with us. When the second Toy Story was released, a lot of kids were Andy’s age and may have had toys that they loved just like he did. This made the story easy to relate to. Now, eleven years later, many of us remain Andy’s age and are getting ready to finish high school and go off to college.

A positive aspect of the movie is the ability to make the story hit home with kids and adults alike. Another positive aspect was that one would not necessarily have to have been a fan from the beginning. The absolute need to have seen both prequels is not that important whether one is a beginner or a long-term fan.

The movie is, quite simply, a classic. Pixar has done it again, providing a children’s movie with a simple, engaging story line and characters one can’t help but love. Toy Story 3 had the entire theater laughing at the antics of the new Ken doll to practically crying along with Andy’s mom as she said goodbye to her son.

After the movie is over and the slight feeling of nostalgia has set in, there is only one thing left to do. The inexplicable need to go out and buy your own Buzz Lightyear should not go unanswered!

View the Toy Story 3 trailer below!