Toy Story: Young Andy's playthings, including the sardonic Mr. Potatohead, a Slinky Dog with a southern drawl, an anxiety-ridden dinosaur, and some very gung-ho toy soldiers, are led by Woody, a pull-string cowboy doll whom Andy adores. But on his birthday, Andy receives a self-possessed, gadget-laden spaceman action figure named Buzz Lightyear, who quickly becomes Andy's favourite. Soon the overlooked Woody becomes very jealous. However, when a turn of events leaves Buzz and Woody lost in the 'outside world,' they have to get along in order to find their way home. And they'd better do it quickly, because the lad and his family are moving tomorrow! However, their trek is interrupted by Sid, Andy's cruel, malicious neighbour who loves to destroy toys. Pixar studios revolutionised animated features with this technically spectacular and hugely enjoyable film about what children's toys do when no one else is around. Director John Lasseter earned a special achievement Academy Award, while Randy Newman landed an Oscar nomination for his evocative musical score. Toy Story 2: This sequel to 'Toy Story' sees pull-string cowboy Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) kidnapped by toy collector Al, who plans to sell him to a Japanese toy museum. Assisted by

Potato Head, Slinky Dog and Rex the Dinosaur, action figure Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) sets off to the rescue, but when they get to Al's store Buzz is mistakenly boxed up and his place taken by a new, flashier Lightyear model - complete with utility belt! Meanwhile, Woody has discovered that he was once the star of a popular children's television show, and is no longer sure he wants to return to Andy's toy cupboard. Toy Story 3: The third and "supposedly"-final chapter in the Toy Story saga manages to outdo both previous installments. The laughs are even more hilarious and come around more often. And in addition, the movie also has a tenderness when dealing with "growing up" and moving on. As Andy prepares to leave for college, his mother wants to pack up his room. His toys, who have been feeling neglected, get mistakenly donated to a daycare centre in the area. At first they seem happy that there are so many children eager to play with them, and they make new friends as well with the toys they encounter there. But all is not as it seems, as they soon discover. I won't reveal any more

the plot, except that there's a dastardly villain they have to contend with, and when he is revealed about halfway through, the movie becomes a white-knuckle ride of excitement and fun. There were, however, quite a few moments of tension and suspense which seemed out of place in a Pixar film. They may be too intense for the very young kids, so parental guidance is advised for ages 7 and under.