Dear Pixar,

I was thinking about it this weekend – you and I have  a pretty unique relationship.  I love you guys, and I love all of your movies.  But for some reason, every time I watch one of your movies, you insist on making me cry.  Why?  What did I ever do to you?

I, along with everyone else on Earth, was very excited when Toy Story 3 was announced, and I couldn’t wait to see it.  Thanks to a well-timed babysitter (Thanks, Sam!), Courtney and I were able to head out to see the movie just one week after it opened, which is very impressive for us!  We re-watched Toy Story and Toy Story 2, and I was reminded about how great even your early films were, and how much I loved the characters of Woody, Buzz, and their friends.  I had read about how grown men were moved to tears by part 3, but I was somewhat skeptical – how could this be more of a tearjerker than Up?

Watching the movie, I was really enjoying it – it was fun, funny, and as always, superbly written – every thing in the movie has a purpose.  The movie was perfectly consistent with the universe established int he first two movies, and while it was pretty emotionally touching, I didn’t feel myself bawling.

Then came the ending.  I won’t write any spoilers here for the folks who haven’t seen the movie yet.  But, wow.  I mean, really.  It’s like Owen Gleiberman wrote in the EW article – I wasn’t just shedding a tear or two, but I was actually fighting the urge to out and out sob.  How is that possible?  This is an animated movie about a toy cowboy and a spaceman, for crying out loud!

Except it’s not.  It’s a story about friendship, and about family, and about children growing up, and the innocence of youth, and what happens when that innocence is lost.  I’m sure it would tug at anyone’s heartstrings, but I have to think that the ending was especially gut-wrenching for parents.  No matter how Pixar’s movies may be in some ways targeted at children, I find it hard to categorize any of their flicks as “kids movies.”  There are some pretty deep themes in there, and they are extremely well executed.

Pixar, your perfect track record continues.  Your movies are simply amazing, I will keep on watching what you put out, and I can’t wait to show these films to Eli.

Even if you do make me cry.  A lot.

Love,

Alan