Return of endearing bunch of characters

Connoisseurs of thoughtful, well-written movies have had a torrent of great films to enjoy throughout the entire year, making it that much more ridiculous that 2010's most affecting movie might be a big-budget, computer-animated story about toys.

But if you've seen a Toy Story movie before, you know better than to act surprised anymore.

Toy Story 3 sets off with a neglectful, college-bound Andy finally abandoning his toys for good.

Woody, Buzz and friends get shipped off to a daycare centre, which teases the prospect of endless children to play with after years of neglect, but the reality is a dark underworld run by a consortium of toys whose baggage and malevolence would place them quite comfortably in numerous R-rated films.

Between the dark underbelly of Sunnyside Daycare and where that darkness takes our toys, it's a little surprising TS 3 got a G rating.

But it might only be surprising because of just how absurdly good Pixar is at taking these endangered inanimate objects and conveying their peril better than most live-action movies can do with living, breathing people.

TS 3 looks magnificent and is armed to the teeth with very funny one-liners and sight gags.

But it's that unbelievable gift of endearment, and these characters' ridiculous abilities to subtly but explicitly convey it, that once again sets Pixar apart from everybody else.

Extras: Animated short Day & Night, Beyond the Toy Box commentary, Buzz Lightyear science lesson, seven behind-the-scenes features.