Despite concern that it would tarnish the already perfect trilogy of films that came before it, Toy Story 4 proves the franchise still had more stories to tell, providing a beautiful and moving epilogue to the franchise.
Toy Story 4 follows Woody (Tom Hanks) and his fellow toys with their new owner Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw). After she creates an existential toy out of a spork and some trash, Forky (Tony Hale), Bonnie, her parents and her toys head out on an RV vacation. But when Woody bumps into Bo Peep (Annie Potts), he begins to question his purpose as a toy.
Although many would argue the third film in the franchise concluded the Toy Story films to perfection, Toy Story 4 is a movie we didn’t know we needed. While certainly the first three entries serve to wrap up Andy’s story, this fourth film provides closer to the toys, particularly Woody, who does not feel at home with Bonnie the same way he did with Andy.
Most of that closure comes through the re-introduction Bo Peep, who was Woody’s romantic interest in the first two films, but then was mysteriously absent from the third entry. Along with filling in those gaps, her arrival also reminds Woody of what he’s been missing and a look into a life that he’s missing out on. Their past relationship, as well as Bo’s current status as a “lost toy,” is at the emotional core of the film.
There are several new characters that are introduced here as well. Forky, Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks), Ducky (Keegan-Michael Key) and Bunny (Jordan Peele) are all central to the film’s plot. Forky is a major standout, and Ducky and Bunny play off Key and Peele’s pre-existing relationship and it’s comedic gold. Gabby Gabby, an old doll with no voice, is perfectly serviceable as the film’s antagonist but is not as effect as previous installments.
Unfortunately, the introduction of several new characters and sending Woody off on a solo adventure results in the sidelining of many of the original characters. Buzz (Tim Allen) gets a little more to do than the others, but it’s possibly the least amount of screentime he’s had in any of the movies to date. Jessie (Joan Cusack) is also pushed to the sidelines. Rex, Mr. Potato Head and Slinky are lucky to get the one-liners they do.
This is somewhat to the film’s detriment. The lacking the screentime for some of the tenured characters results in less of a catharsis by the film’s end than audiences perhaps had at the end of the previous installment. Woody is the heart and soul of this movie and Toy Story 4 is definitely his story. While that is not necessarily a negative, it is something that differentiates this movie from the others.
On a more positive note, this is a new high in regards to animation for Pixar. One scene in particular with a cat looks so realistic to the point that it’s near impossible to tell it’s even animation. Pixar has continually improved upon their CGI through the years, but Toy Story 4 is leaps and bonds beyond anything the company has put out.
As an epilogue to the Toy Story franchise, the fourth installment is almost a better conclusion than its predecessor. While not having nearly as much emotional impact, it still manages to give the series tighter closer without messing up what came before it. It’s hard to imagine getting a fifth film in the series after this, but then again, audiences said the same after the last one.
Grade: 4.5 / 5 Woo’s
Directed: Josh Cooley
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts & Tony Hale
Release Date: June 21, 2019\
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