Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Toy Story 3

I took my son to see Toy Story 3 a couple of weeks ago. As we walked over to the movie theater, we talked about the other movies. The first one came out in 1995, when he was one year old, so he's pretty much grown up with the movies. My mother bought him a VHS of the first movie when he was about 2, and he loved it.

One day, when he was about 3, I had to stop by my friend Mark's house to pick up some material for a web design job he had me working on-- he frequently gave me web and graphic design work around then, which I desperately needed; it was in the dire period of my life when I was trying to finish teaching school while fighting over custody of my son with an ex-girlfriend. The extra money was a godsend.

While Mark and I went over the work he wanted me to do, Adam talked to Mark's housemate Aaron. While they were talking, Adam noticed a Buzz Lightyear figure near Aaron's computer. These were the days when Adam would tell anyone within earshot about his favorite two characters, Buzz Lightyear and Woody the Cowboy. He'd tell them, "Buzz Lightyear says "To infinity and beyond," and that Woody said "Reach for the sky!"

Aaron told Adam he could keep the toy. He still has it.

That year, he wore a Woody costume for Halloween.

My son and I enjoyed Toy Story 3 throughly. The CGI was amazing, and the story very sweet; Andy, the owner of the toys, is getting ready to go off to college. We discover that though he's long stopped playing with the toys, he still keeps them in a trunk in his room. The toys get separated and a wonderful story ensues that tells lessons of friendship, trust, betrayal and renewal.

As we sat there watching the movie, I realized that like Andy, my son is not far from going off to school. I thought about how the movie series has been such a part of my son's childhood and part of our relationship. And I was suddenly glad that the movie theater was dark and that nobody could see the tears welling in my eyes.

9 comments:

SkylersDad said...

I have been a big fan of this series and am looking forward to seeing it.

Pat Tillett said...

This big old wheel keeps right on turning! Nothing we can do to stop it. The time you spent with your son was a great thing...

Churlita said...

My daughter said the same thing. She grew up on Toy Story and she's getting ready to leave for college and so it really hit home. She claims not to have cried AS MUCH as her other friends. Whatever.

Barbara Bruederlin said...

Adam is lucky to have had such a quality series to accompany his growing up. I can't wait to see Toy Story 3 myself, may have to borrow a youngster...

Random Thinker said...

When I asked my 20 year old son how it was he answered "I cried." High praise from a boy dedicated to bottling his emotions, at least in front of his mother.

bubbles said...

I hear ya, JR.

Erik Donald France said...

These never came into my radar screen! Strange.

Johnny Rojo said...

SD-
It will not dissapoint!

Pat-
Thanks! I keenly aware that there'll be less time with him when he runs off to college.

Churlita-
I love that-- "not as much!" As you said, "whatever..."

Barbara-
You will love it. I'd lend you one of mine, but the drive would be a little far!

Random Thinker-
Wow! High praise indeed!

Bubbles-
You're right where I am; I suspect you'll shed a few tears when you see it.

Erik-
LOL! As I recall, you don't have kids! Still, I think you'd get a kick out of them. They explore a lot of adult issues, like cruelty, greed and in the current one, the psychic damage inflicted by abandonment.

GETkristiLOVE said...

That freaks me out that Adam was so young when the first one came out.