GamerPops is, of course, about games. But that doesn’t mean we’re one-trick ponies, so in spite of the onslaught of E3 coverage still to be written up, I wasn’t going to spend my Father’s Day in front of the computer. Instead, my three year old daughter treated me to Toy Story 3, a movie that is not only Pixar’s finest effort to date, but simply one of the finest movies you’ll see this year.

Much like Up and Wall-E, Toy Story 3 is a grown up movie in the guise of a kids film; it has an emotional depth that you don’t always find in regular movies, let alone kids movies. Directed by Pixar vet Lee Unkrich from a script by Little Miss Sunshine screenwriter Michael Arndt (with Pixar legends John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton), this film shows that with computer animated movies becoming more and more common, and more and more generic, it’s important to have movies like Toy Story 3 remind us of just what a family movie can achieve.

The plot of Toy Story 3 shows us that young Andy has grown up and is heading off to college, leaving his once-beloved toys facing an uncertain future: tossed in the trash, confined to the attic, or donated to a local daycare. Eventually, they do end up at Sunnyside Daycare, where the expected hijinx ensue, but this is a film that’s about so much more than animated chases and gags. Coming 11 years after Toy Story 2, this is a much darker, much more emotive, more mature movie, representing the culmination of Pixar’s efforts to stretch its films beyond the traditional boundaries of children’s animation, and make movies that are richly layered with story, character, and feeling.

Whereas the first two Toy Story films were a celebration of the innocence and joy of youth, Toy Story 3 is about growing up, moving on, and leaving childhood behind, both literally and metaphorically. There’s a great deal of emotional heft that will go completely over the heads of the youngsters in the audience, but for adults, including myself, it hits right home. Whether it’s the emotions that go along with growing up, or of seeing your children grow and move on before you (played with subdued perfection by Laurie Metcalf as Andy’s mom), the film works with these emotions like never before.

One of the other pervasive themes of the movie is loneliness which, while touched upon in Toy Story 2 with Jesse’s back story, is brought front and centre this time round. There’s a genuine feeling of loneliness imbued into many scenes and characters, and the fear of abandonment and the unknown looms large throughout the entire film. Be warned, there are definitely some scary moments in Toy Story 3, where the childlike humour of the previous films has been replaced with a much darker, and at times, sinister tone, unlike anything Pixar has put out before. If you are bringing younger children, be prepared.

But within this darkness, there are also beautiful moments. There’s an unforgettable scene towards the end of the film’s action sequences, when the toys face a moment of resignation, and the way they come together as a family is sure to make even the hardest heart tear up. To say much more would spoil things, but it is very easily the most emotionally gripping moment Pixar has ever come up with.

That’s not to say there aren’t many hilarious scenes in Toy Story 3 as well, including Buzz Lightyear’s Spanish setting, a tragically-short few scenes with a new youngster Bonnie and her imaginative collection of toys, and anything involving Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head. While the movie does explore new territory for Pixar movies, it doesn’t entirely forget its roots as light and fun all-ages comedy.

While the existing cast of toys has been pared down (Bo Peep and Wheezy have been yard-saled, many others are simply absent, and Emperor Zurg only shows up in the closing credits), it does allow for all of the returning characters to have moments to shine. All of the voice talents return for this adventure (except for late Jim Varney, who has been replaced as the voice of Slinky Dog by Blake Clark) and Pixar’s uncanny ability to match voice actor to role shines once again. There’s not a bad performance in Toy Story 3, with Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack once again voicing the lead characters Woody, Buzz, and Jesse.

The new additions, both major and minor, are every bit the equal of the returning characters. An almost-unrecognizable Ned Beatty is the voice of Lotso Hugs bear, the leader of the Sunnyside Daycare toys, and the embodiment of everything that makes this a dark, more haunted movie. He’s a teddy bear with a sad, tormented side, and he ultimately makes a great and appropriate villain for the story. Much less comical than Stinky Pete the Prospector or Sid the neighbour. Lotso isn’t about love and play like the other toys, he’s about survival, control and abandonment, and it’s a skillfully two-faced performance.

Michael Keaton voices Barbie’s love interest Ken, and hits every stereotype of the doll’s outdated and yet ahead-of-its-time metrosexuality, making him preening and obtuse without falling into the obvious jokes. It’s a fine line to walk, to make him appropriately effeminate without sinking into gay jokes, but Keaton plays it just right. Ken is earnest in his addiction to fashion and style, even if his wardrobe peaked in the early ’80s, and toys have moved far beyond the days of dreamhouses and hot tubs.

Jeff Garlin, Bonnie Hunt, Timothy Dalton, and Kristen Schaal are also featured in brief but memorable roles that just beg for future screen time.

The ending of Toy Story 3, without giving anything away, is a note perfect conclusion to the trilogy. It wraps up the story for Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the gang, while still leaving the door open if Pixar decided to revisit the franchise in the future. There’s part of me that hopes they’ll leave the toys here, and continue on with new animated ideas and other sequels. But then again, I had reservations about whether there was a story to tell with Toy Story 3 when it was announced, so if Pixar wants to greenlight Toy Story 4, 5, 6 or more, I’ll be there for every one, family in tow.

I can’t imagine there will be any better children’s movies than Toy Story 3 this year, and for movies that evoke both smiles and tears, happiness and sorrow, I’m not sure there will be a more emotionally complete film either. It’s a movie for families to share together, though be warned the darker elements may prove somewhat frightening to younger kids. But for any child above the age of six or so, and for every adult who still remembers their favorite toys, Toy Story 3 is the must-see film of the summer.

On a personal side note, my first toy was a stuffed dog named Wow Wow. Still have him, tucked away safely in a bin in the basement. I think I’ll have to get him out, and share him with my children. After seeing Toy Story 3, it seems like the right thing to do.