Don’t get me wrong, Toy Story 3 was a fine conclusion.
It had everything; Humor. Fun. Drama. That goddamn incinerator scene; The toys from your youth going on one last ride!
Or so we thought…
Because they’re back! And yes, maybe they didn’t need another film, but Producer Mark Nielsen posits an interesting thought:
“Every film we make, we treat it like it’s the first and the last film we’re ever going to make, so you force yourself to make it hold up. You don’t get in over your skis. Whether there’s another one? I don’t know. If there is, it’s tomorrow’s problem.”
And Toy Story 4 kind of feels like that. Enough nostalgia to tie the series together, but a lot of fun, new adventure to take the toys on one last ride.
Again…
Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and the rest of the gang embark on a road trip with Bonnie and a new toy named Forky (Tony Hale). The adventurous journey turns into an unexpected reunion as Woody’s slight detour leads him to his long-lost friend Bo Peep (Annie Potts). As Woody and Bo discuss the old days, they soon start to realize that they’re worlds apart when it comes to what they want from life as a toy.
Pixar have made a deal with some other-worldly entity, right?
I mean that’s the only way to explain the pure consistency they’ve had with their films, and Toy Story 4 only adds to this.
The toys still have their happy ending after the end of 3, with their new life as the toys of Bonnie. But Woody remembers his life as Andy’s toy and is troubled by his new purpose.
Horribly dramatic, but brilliant isn’t it?
Anyway, Woody is suffering an existential crisis, and then Forky is introduced.
Ya bet your consumer-loving a$$ is gonna be out there wanting to buy a Forky figure; Which is impossibly stupid when you think about it, because it is just a plastic fork with accessories.
BUT YOU’LL WANT ONE!
Forky is a fantastic addition to the cast, that in many ways asks questions both the new and old audiences may have; They’re also hilarious, which may be just as noteworthy.
Each new Story has visually improved upon the last, and I fear we’re at a point wherein the first film is going to look like a potato because 4 is INCREDIBLY gorgeous.
Like “I NEED to see this on IMAX”-gorgeous.
The cast continue to absolutely kill in their roles, even after 24 years. Hanks and Allen lead as the uncanny duo, with everyone else they’ve gathered along the way coming along. Joan Cusack‘s Jessie, Ratzenberger‘s Hamm and the late Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head and more and more and MORE!
Annie Potts also gets to fully shine as Bo Peep, who pivots into her most important and incredible role yet within the world of Toy Story.
The magic that keeps the toys alive, keeps the franchise alive and whichever being Pixar bows too, I bow to also. Because it’s nothing short of paranormal that we continue to get something so fantastic from a franchise this well-established.
Yeehaw pard’ner and to infinity and beyond. Forever.
Summary
Impossibly fun, charming, beautiful and everything else the series has come to be known as, comes to the front again with Pixar delivering a grand new adventure that "falls with style" in Toy Story 4.
2 Comments
I was unimpressed by the trailer (and the out-of-contol children at a late night movie session) but the film was “trash”. ?
Hahaha, “trash”. Wait…that can mean TWO things now…