Toy Story Toons: Urlaub auf Hawaii

This animated short film tells the story of Barbie and Ken who are going to Hawaii for a perfect romantic holiday. However, they got left behind, so the friends help them have the best Hawaiian themed vacation.

"Hawaiian Vacation" is very sweet because it tells how friends going above and beyond the call of duty to help each other. I am quite touched by the friends doing so much to help Barbie and Ken. And it is a nice surprise to see Barbie and Ken too! I enjoyed watching this short film that celebrates friendship.

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.

Pixar started out by producing short animation pieces to showcase their technology in that line and as they have moved into feature production, they have continued that tradition by releasing a short subject with each feature. HAWAIIAN VACATION is the short subject accompanying the release of CARS 2 and for my money it is even better than the feature.

It's a spin off from Pixar's TOY STORY franchise. The toys' owner is going on vacation to Hawaii and Barbie and Ken stow away for a romantic vacation of their own, only to discover that the girl is not taking her school backpack. The toys mock up a vacation for them and the gags are funny, in character and unexpected. What more could you ask?

'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

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.