Toy Story Toons: Urlaub auf Hawaii

Every time Pixar releases a new computer animated feature, it's always accompanied by a new short of theirs. That short is usually an original story with brand new characters so this seems to be the first time they used previous used ones for the occasion as this one has the Toy Story characters from Toy Story 3. It seems their new owner is going on vacation to Hawaii and Ken and Barbie are expected to tag along in her backpack but she leaves that behind so the others try to give Ken and Barbie something resembling a tropical vacation. Nothing more to say except the results are as hilarious as one would expect from these Pixar things. So on that note, Hawaiian Vacation is highly recommended.

I was a bit sceptical about these 'Toy Story Toons' after 'Toy Story 3' in my mind at the time had wrapped things up perfectly. However, now we have 'Toy Story 4' I can appreciate them a bit more.

More of a complete story than 'Small Fry', this is a lovely little short, with some great moments. Having all the original voices back makes a massive difference too.

Well worth a watch.

This is a short film starring the Toy Story characters. The story is set after "Toy Story 3", as Bonnie is the toys' owner. It was apparently shown before the last "Cars" film.

When Bonnie goes on vacation with her family, her doll Ken is in tears. He THOUGHT that he and Barbi would go with them and they would have a wonderful time. So, to make it up to him, the other toys pretend that Bonnie's room is Hawaii--complete with sharks, fishing, the sand, a fancy dinner, sun tans and surfing. It's all quite cute and oddly romantic. Well worth seeing and like the other Toy Story films, great for kids and parents alike.

Bonnie is going on vacation in Hawaii and the toys get a week off to relax. Ken (Michael Keaton) and Barbie thought they stowaway to Hawaii in Bonnie's school backpack but she doesn't take it with her. Ken is left blubbering as the rest of the toys try to create a romantic Hawaii vacation for them and their first kiss.

This follows Toy Story 3 and has basically everybody back for their roles. The standout here is Michael Keaton as Ken and Barbie take center stage. He is silly and hilarious. Pure Keaton is a laugh a minute and he surpasses that in this. It's a quick five minutes but I would love to have even more Keaton in the upcoming Toy Story projects.

'TOY STORY TOONS: HAWAIIAN VACATION': Three Stars (Out of Five)

The first in a series of 'TOY STORY' short films from Pixar (which debuted before 'CARS 2' in theaters) focuses on the toys' lives after Andy (and the events of the first three films). They're all now living with Bonnie (once again voiced by Emily Hahn) and in this short Bonnie has just left with her mother for a vacation in Hawaii. Barbie and Ken (Jodi Benson and Michael Keaton reprising their voice roles) were planning on stowing away with Bonnie (by hiding in her school backpack) so that they could have their first kiss together on the beach at sunset. They're very upset to find out that Bonnie didn't take her backpack with her but Woody (Tom Hanks voicing for the fourth time) and the rest of the gang decide to help them live out their fantasy there at home instead. The film was directed and co-written (along with Erik Benson, Jason Katz and Christian Roman) by Gary Rydstrom (now having helmed two animated short films). Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, John Ratzenberger, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, Bonnie Hunt and nearly all the rest (of the voice talents from the films) reprise their roles as well. Most of the film's jokes fell a little flat for me and I didn't find the story especially emotionally involving or interesting but it still does have a little magic. The animation is still top notch and the toys are all likable and enjoyable cartoon characters. The film is definitely not one of Pixar's best animated short films but it's still an impressive little cartoon by most other standards.

Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN5KZOE7p28