In ‘Toy Story 3’, we get introduced to slew of new characters. This is a look at the good, the bad, and ugly when it comes to the new toys delighting (and frightening) girls and boys in ‘Toy Story 3’:
Big Baby – This worn-out baby doll is definitely one of the creepiest ‘Toy Story 3’ characters with its broken blinky eye and baby babbling. The swing set scene where this goon whose goo-goos and ga-gas are less-than-cute spins its head around is one of the scariest in ‘Toy Story 3’, but it was fun to see one of the toys that creeped me out most as a kid in the movie (and you do feel a little big bad for the perpetual child at the end of the movie).
Ken – Of course the fabulous Ken doll with his nice ascot is one of the best new characters in ‘Toy Story 3. He’s got a closet full of vintage clothing that would make the ladies of ‘Sex and the City 2’ envious, and it’s fun to see him meet his soulmate in spandex and leg warmers for the first time. Sure he and Barbie have a rough romance thanks to his life of crime, but he was probably only playing with the bad boys to battle the stigma that he’s just a girl’s toy.
Chuckles the Clown – Chuckles is a hardened clown whose once-gleeful smile has turned to a frown, and he’s got a scruffy, gruff voice that doesn’t match his colorful costume. He’s not one of the biggest new characters in ‘Toy Story 3′, but he plays a pivotal role in telling Woody an important backstory.
Mr. Pricklepants – This adorable hedgehog in lederhosen views playtime as the perfect time to hone his acting skills. He may look silly, but he’s a serious thespian (even if he is one of the toys in ‘Toy Story 3’ that’s not one of the most important characters).
Buttercup – Okay, so he’s not one of the most interesting new characters in ‘Toy Story 3’, but he is a unicorn that talks (better watch out, Bullseye; there’s a new ride in town!).
Peas-in-a-Pod – Who knew plush peas could be so adorable? Peatey, Peatrice, and Peanelope are definitely some of the cutest new characters in ‘Toy Story 3’ (but these talking toys might make it hard for kids to want to eat their veggies).
Twitch – You gotta love this creepy green guy straight out of a sci-fi movie. His bug head and muscular body make him the perfect goon for the toys gone bad at Sunnyside, and being tough also helps when he’s taking the abuse from the younger kids at the end of the movie.
The Monkey – The cymbal-clashing, screeching monkey in ‘Toy Story 3’ has been the stuff of nightmares for many years, making appearances in horror movies like ‘The Devil’s Gift’ and horror stories like Stephen King’s ‘The Monkey’. So it’s only fitting that this obnoxious toy with wild eyes would be the creepy character in charge of unblinkingly watching all the goings-on at Sunnyside from the security room. And, like Big Baby, it’s his lack of speech that helps make him so darn disturbing.
Trixie the Triceratops – This chat-addicted dino meets her perfect match in overly-anxious Rex. Sure their species wouldn’t get along in the real world, but make them plastic, and their relationship’s fantastic.
Totoro – I was pleasantly surprised to see a shoutout to great animator Hayao Miyazaki in the form of a stuffed version of his magical character Totoro in ‘Toy Story 3. He may not say anything or play a big part in the movie, but Totoro is still one of the best characters in ‘Toy Story 3’ (I definitely want my own smiling plush Totoro now!). For those that haven’t seen it, watch the movie ‘My Neighbor Totoro’, and you’ll also appreciate the fun homage to such a creative character.
So from real toys to new, whimsical ones, it was definitely fun to see the new characters Pixar added to its toy box in ‘Toy Story 3’.
