After beating Armond White to the punch of upsetting "Toy Story 3's" perfect 100% RottenTomatoes score I realize how fascistically fetishistic RT readers are about things like protecting a "perfect score" for a movie.
What's more surprising to me is how few "critics" exercise the demands of their job description. There isn't a film I can think of that doesn't have detractors, so why should "Toy Story 3" be any different? That I had to come along behind 150 "critics" to be the first one to speak out about the film's weaknesses, and they are many, speaks volumes.
As the Staff Film Editor the largest print circulation publication in the country "Kidsville News!" I am sensitive to ratings for children's films. As well, I have young nieces and nephews with responsible parents who are very sensitive to what their kids see. I could not in good conscience endorse "Toy Story 3" as a G-rated film that meets their criteria.
On top of that, Hollywood is currently changing the game on what audiences should expect from a "3-D" movie in order to charge higher ticket prices. As a critic, I've had the luxury of seeing many "3-D" films, and know what that medium should deliver on a consistent basis. Again, I cannot endorse the watered-down version of "3-D" that Disney/Pixar is selling with "Toy Story 3."
As for all of the personal attacks that readers make in their rude e-mails to me, I understand that people need to let off steam, especially in these very difficult times. It goes with the territory of being a critic who takes his job seriously.
By definition, being a critic means it is our job to "criticize." I wrote this review just as I approach writing any piece of criticism–with honesty, sincerity, and a singular mission to express my ideas as clearly and briefly as possible.
For the record, I point out in my review 15 (count 'em, 15) problems I had with the film. I gave "Toy Story 3" a C+, and I stand by that grade. A masterpiece like Stanley Kubrick's "Full Metal Jacket" only has a "96%" rating on RT, but I don't think anyone's losing sleep over the fact that it isn't a perfect "100%." It's still a far better film than "Toy Story 3."
To feign indignation over such a trivial issue is a sign of ulterior motives from people pandering to some imaginary form of lowest common denominator.
