Summary
Toy Story 3includes several iconic and memorable moments, one of which was sneakily (and cleverly) parodied in a 2024 animated movie that sadly slipped under the radar. The 2010 Pixar animated comedy-drama film, directed by Lee Unkrich and written by Michael Arndt (based on a story by Unkrich, John Lasseter, and Andrew Stanton), serves as the third installment intheToy Storymovie seriesand takes place right before Andy is supposed to leave for college. Consequently,Toy Story 3’s main conflict revolves around what happens to Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the toys when Andy grows up.
Pixar plans to releaseToy Story 5, starring Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, on June 07, 2025.
After a series of unfortunate events, the toys end up at Sunnyside Daycare inToy Story 3, where they meet the evil Lotso who forces them to be played with unruly toddlers. When they try to break out of the daycare, the toys end up in a dumpster and are taken to a landfill. Because of Lotso’s betrayal,Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the other toys find themselves headed for an incinerator.They are about to accept their fate when the Aliens save them. Despite the relieving outcome, the scene is heartbreaking andone of theToy Storyfranchise’s most memorable moments.
Orion & The Dark Perfectly Parodies Toy Story 3’s Incinerator Scene
The Netflix Film Sneakily References One Of Toy Story’s Most Devastating Moments
Orion and the Darkproves how iconicthe disturbing incinerator scene is inToy Story 3when it features a parody of the heartwrenching moment towards the beginning of its story. The 2024 Netflix animated fantasy adventure comedy film, directed by Sean Charmatz and written by Charlie Kaufman, is based on Emma Yarlett’s 2014 book of the same name andchronicles an 11-year-old boy with severe anxiety.However, everything changes when Orion is visited by Dark, the embodiment of one of his worst fears. But before then, the movie briefly includes a shout-out toToy Story 3’s sad ending.
The parody is subtle and clever as Orion is critiquing a moment similar toToy Story 3’s, but his comments will become contradictory as the film continues.
Orion is watching television about eight minutes intoOrion and the Darkand is unimpressed by what he sees on the screen.A film or show features anthropomorphic recyclable items heading for a trash compactorand bracing themselves for their doom. Orion mentions how it’s “completely unrealistic” since he believes the objects don’t have feelings or go on adventures. Of course,Orion and the Darkis spoofing the 2010 Pixar movie’s incinerator scene. The parody is subtle and clever as Orion is critiquing a moment similar toToy Story 3’s, but his comments will become contradictory as the film continues.
Toy Story 3
Cast
Toy Story 3 continues the beloved animated series, reuniting Woody, Buzz, and the gang as they face new challenges when they are mistakenly sent to a daycare center. With Andy headed to college, the toys must collaborate to navigate the perils of their new environment and find their way back.
Orion & The Dark Borrows One Of Pixar’s Oldest Tricks
The parody ofone ofToy Story 3’s saddest momentsisn’t the only thingOrion and the Darkhas in common with the 2010 movie. Netflix’s 2024 animated comedy also includes a similar trope that many Pixar stories share — the “What if anthropomorphic things had feelings?” formula. The embodiment of the dark visits Orion inOrion and the Darkand attempts to help the boy overcome his fears. Characters like Dark, Quiet, and Sleep have feelings in the story, just like how the toys have human-like qualities inToy Story 3and the emotions in Pixar’sInside Outhave personalities.
A Key Inspiration For Orion And The Dark Makes 1 Plot Point Hugely Ironic
The name of Orion and the Dark’s main character comes from Greek mythology, which makes his story hugely ironic but also more special.
