Adapting of one of 2010's most acclaimed, beloved movies isn't an easy feat, and, unfortunately, the app based on Pixar's Toy Story 3 doesn't come close to capturing the film's magic or creating its own. Like other Disney "Read-Along" apps, it's stuffed with features and extras. But the core story about Woody the cowboy, Buzz Lightyear and their toy-chest friends feels by-the-numbers; moments of great humor and poignancy in the film are reduced to bland, plot-point summations: "Buzz and the other toys thought Andy didn't want them anymore." But at least the app features soft, painterly illustrations that don't seem lifted wholesale from the computer-animated film. Extra features include jigsaw puzzles, two songs with lyrics thrown in, pages to finger-paint and three short, not particularly entertaining games. The app also has several 3-D pages that require glasses available free at Disney stores. The 3-D effect on these pages isn't as eye-catching as in other 3-D iPad story apps. There's a lot on offer, but compared to other Disney Read-Along apps (some of which include video clips), this one feels rote and sluggish; it also sometimes crashes. It's got high production values but sure isn't inspired enough to reach infinity and beyond. (iPad storybook app. 2-10)
