Review: Toy Story 3 (U)*****

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.

The final 10 minutes of Lee Unkrich's film are sublime, guaranteed to wring floods of saltwater from audiences as the animators strike the perfect balance between laughter and tears.

Andy is preparing to leave for college. He has packed his belongings, setting aside Woody (Tom 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 (Ned Beatty).

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

Having said farewell to his buddies, Woody meets a stuffed hedgehog called Mr Pricklepants (Timothy 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.

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

So long partners.