`Sex,' `Shrek' `Toy Story' Aim for Summer Laughs

The movie carries on the franchise's clever premise that Woody, Buzz and their toy friends come to life when people aren't around.

"That's why people have reacted to the `Toy Story' movies over the years, because they can all tap into that feeling from when they were kids of wondering whether their toys were actually alive," said "Toy Story 3" director Lee Unkrich. "My wife has told me that she used to sit on her bed with all her toys and say to them, `Please, please. I won't tell anybody if you come alive. I'll keep it a secret. Please.'"

Sandler teams with Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade and Rob Schneider for a comedy about five childhood pals reuniting as family men in "Grown Ups" (June 25). Ferrell joins Mark Wahlberg for "The Other Guys" (Aug. 6), the tale of a police accountant partnered with a tough street cop. Carell does double duty, starring in the live-action romp "Dinner for Schmucks" (July 23) and providing the lead voice for the animated tale "Despicable Me" (July 6).

"Schmucks" casts Carell as an IRS man with a strange passion — costuming mice in intricate dioramas — who's invited by a young executive (Paul Rudd) to a dinner where a prize goes to whoever brings the biggest idiot.

In "Despicable Me," Carell's character is an aspiring supervillain whose scheme to steal the moon is interrupted by three orphan girls aiming to adopt him as their dad.

Carell sees similarities between his two summer characters.

"Both of them sort of live on the fringes of society. They are essentially loners. They've carved out their world, they've chosen vocations that will satisfy them and make them happy," Carell said. "But in both scenarios, something is introduced into their world that changes them and changes their perspective."

Other comedy and romance highlights:

• "Nanny McPhee 2" (Aug. 20): Emma Thompson returns as the supernanny, pitching in for the family of an overburdened mom (Maggie Gyllenhaal).

• "Get Him to the Greek" (June 4): A record label up-and-comer (Jonah Hill) must escort an unruly rock legend (Russell Brand) from London to an L.A. gig.