TOY STORY 3 (U, 108 mins) *****
Featuring the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty, Michael Keaton, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Estelle Harris, John Morris, Jodi Benson, Timothy Dalton

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The toys are back in town as the computer animation wizards at Pixar bid a fond farewell to Woody the cowboy, Buzz Lightyear and their other beloved creations.

Toy Story 3 surpasses the 1995 original and its 1999 sequel for thrills, spills and belly laughs, delivering the most satisfying journey of the rootin’ tootin’ trilogy.

If the emotional upheaval of Pixar’s previous feature Up left you sobbing uncontrollably, then pack plenty of handkerchiefs.

The final ten minutes are sublime, guaranteed to wring floods of saltwater from audiences as the animators strike the perfect balance between laughter and tears.

Toy Story 3 has it all.

Andy (voiced by Morris) is preparing to leave for college. He has packed up his belongings, setting aside Woody (Hanks) for life on campus, while the other toys are bound for the attic in a black bin liner.

Unfortunately, Andy’s mother mistakes the bag for rubbish and donates the toys to Sunnyside day care centre, a brightly coloured paradise ruled by Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear (Beatty).

“You’ll never be outgrown, or neglected... no owners means no heartbreak!” smiles the bear, convincing Buzz (Allen), Jessie the cowgirl (Cusack) and the gang that they will be deliriously happy in their new home.

Barbie (Benson) is especially happy to meet Ken (Michael Keaton), who has dreamy abs and a walk-in closet to rival the Sex And The City gals.

Having said farewell to his buddies, Woody meets a stuffed hedgehog called Mr Pricklepants (Dalton), who reveals the truth about the day care centre.

“Sunnyside is a place of ruin and despair, ruled by an evil bear who smells of strawberries!” he booms.

So Woody races back to the centre to orchestrate an elaborate escape plan and return all of his friends to Andy’s attic.

Toy Story 3 opens with a breathtaking action sequence, and the third film continues to dazzle with each brilliantly-orchestrated set piece.

The script sparkles with hilarious one-liners, like when Hamm (Ratzenberger) resigns himself to the dusty attic and quips: “Let’s go see how much we’re going for on eBay.”

Ken and Barbie’s courtship is hysterical – “You don’t know me from GI Joe, but I feel like we were made for each other,” coos the he-doll. And there are romantic sparks too between Jessie and Buzz, the latter discovering his passionate side thanks to a malfunction with the language settings.

Hanks and Allen are in delightful form, sparking off one another as their characters go to infinity and beyond one last time.

As usual, Pixar packages the main feature with a charming animated short.

Day & Night is a master class in simplicity, proving that dazzling visuals are nothing without a neat dramatic conceit and strong characters.

So long partners.