There’s a delicious satisfaction, a firm resolution, a hazy clutter of childhood memories swimming about this remarkable film.

Fifteen years ago, Pixar’s “Toy Story” launched both the CGI (computer-generated imagery) craze and the creative little company largely responsible for its continuing success. Not only was “Toy Story” the first featurelength CGI release, it was a welldeserved instant classic, a tough act to follow and a cornerstone of the most profound technological cinematic advancement since Technicolor.

Then, at a time when the term “sequel” was being bandied about Hollywood as an obscene word, “Toy Story 2” (1999) not only reintroduced us to Andy’s favorite toys, Woody and Buzz, but extended the creative envelope in terms of CGI’s storytelling possibilities. This was the tale where Buzz and Woody first realize that Andy would one day outgrow his desire for them. To a toy, this is a fate plus mauvais que la mort! As a sequel, “TS2” outgrossed its predecessor by a cool hundred mil, and indeed left the door open for an eventual heartrending climax.

“Toy Story 3” is the definitive conclusion to the “Toy Story” saga. And be forewarned: My wife sobbed.

Andy is now almost 18 and heading off to college. His remaining toys, stuffed in a trunk and long unused, are concerned about their future. Woody’s pretty certain he’s destined for college with Andy, but the others fear either the attic or, worse, the garbage dump.

And thus begins the final arduous journey for Woody and the gang. As in real life, few things go as planned and great expectations are often not quite what they’re cracked up to be.

As a last chapter (all those rumors of another sequel notwithstanding), “Toy Story 3” presents a more adult-oriented, more earnest tale than its predecessors. Yes, it’s funny, but “TS3” offers a deeper, far more poignant mirth. In fact, toddlers and younger children will likely be bored.

Both Andy and his toy box have matured into credible, threedimensional characters. (And I mean personality-wise, not simply as viewed though a pair of 3-D glasses.) CG animation has improved to such a degree that scenes outside of Andy’s room seem eerily real and lifelike.

As a trilogy, “Toy Story” is probably one of the best overall cinematic adventures ever made. (“Star Wars” comes to mind and then, well, let me think. . . .) Even now, a rainy-day three-disc “Toy Story” marathon sounds like a blissful alternative to, say, cleaning out the garage or painting the hallway. Or watching Will Ferrell movies.

And I’m not ashamed to say I’ll watch any “Toy Story” without children around. One thing about Pixar—they may like kids, but they don’t discriminate. I suspect many of us will be checking out the “Toy Story” trilogy decades from now. Like a fine wine, these treats will only taste richer with age.

Oh, and the next time you complain about your computer problems, ponder this: The creators of “Toy Story 3” discovered they could not open their files from the previous films. Hence all animation had to be re-created from scratch. Ah, technology marches on!