20 Most Powerful Film Images Of All Time

3. The Incinerator - Toy Story 3

Toy Story 3 was an emotional movie right from its very first scene, though the high-point comes when the gang are left to perish inside an incinerator, and the toys, seeing no way out of their predicament, appear to accept their fate, holding hands as they edge closer and closer to being burned to a crisp. The parallel between the toys heading on a conveyor belt towards their demise and human beings taking a similar (albeit slower) inevitable journey towards their end is obvious, but the most powerful image in the movie is that of Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen) joining hands, a universal sign of friendship that, like Up's image earlier, may as well be live action, because the meaning is absolutely the same (and funnily enough, it reminds us a little of the Schindler's List DVD cover). It's elemental and doesn't hide behind clever symbolism: it's one of the most simple yet important things we ever do as humans, to form meaningful bonds with people that transcend our limited lifespans. To see a film primarily aimed at children tackling such existential, adult themes is a testament to Pixar's pure filmmaking genius.
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Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.