In his review of Toy Story 3, William Rodriguez examines love and friendship. He focuses on Agape love—and believes it to be represented by multiple characters at many different instances. He defines agape as achieving a common good for a community and is sacrificing oneself for another. In class we talked about agape and how it correlates to sacrifice—such as Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. We also talked about it being unconditional love, not a brotherly or erotic type of love.
In the movie, Woody leaves the comfort of his home with Andy and a new owner to rescue his friends from the Sunnyside Day Care they are trapped in. During their escape, the toys are faced with death via conveyor belt at the local dump. Rodriguez says the best example of agape is demonstrated when the toys hold hands and await their demise together. He says, “Their loyalty to one another is exemplary, but one is also surprised by their sense of responsibility to one another. They feel compelled to assuage fear by sharing their burdens.” At the last minute, the aliens save the toys. The toys are overwhelmed by being alive and the love they have for each other in that instant.
The sacrifice that the toys were willing to make for each other is evident in all Toy Story films but is especially apparent in this movie. This type of love is exalted in each film and almost seems to encourage viewers to demonstrate this type of love on a daily basis.
Rodriguez, William. “Film Review:Love and Friendship in Toy Story 3.” The Journal of Religion and Film. Vol. 14, No. 1, April 2010.
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