Bravo, Pixar……yet again. ‘Toy Story 4’ is the sequel that few fans wanted, but – I’d dare say – every one of them will absolutely love…..yet again.
Perhaps it’s harsh to say that this movie wasn’t “wanted”, for ‘Toy Story’ is probably the most consistent franchise in film history when it comes to quality and heart. Who wouldn’t want to spend an additional two hours with Woody, Buzz and the gang? But ‘Toy Story 3’ nailed it SO unbelievably well, seemingly wrapping the trilogy with a beautiful, sentimental bow, it was almost impossible to envision continuing the tale, let alone pulling off something as good.
Well, somehow, they did it……yet again.
In a brilliant twist on what we’ve become accustomed to from the ‘Toy Story’ series, this movie takes the prime focus off the toy community and centers on the children involved. The winsome chemistry between Woody and his motley crew of friends still exists and still thrives…but the take home message, in addition to finding purpose, is the meaningfulness of dedication to serving someone else – and when that service comes to an end, if you still matter. It’s a whopper of an overall moral, especially for an animated movie – and when it truly hits home, you AND your sea of emotions will know it.
‘Toy Story 4’ picks up not long after the events of the third chapter, in which college-bound Andy donated his beloved toys to Bonnie, a neighborhood child, trusting that she would love and care for them as much as he did. And, for the most part, she does. But that doesn’t make things any easier for the anxiety level of the gang when Kindergarten orientation arrives. Bonnie returns home from day one with ‘Forky’ (voiced by Tony Hale), a toy she created from pipe cleaners and a spork. Self confidence issues? Forky has ’em. But then, wouldn’t YOU if you were constructed from trash? Woody (the returning Tom Hanks) takes it upon himself to keep Bonnie’s favorite new friend safe – not an easy task when the guy is constantly making a run to the garbage can to “return home”.
Bonnie’s family decides to squeeze in a quick vacation before the first official day of school, and that’s when chaos especially erupts due to Forky’s stubborn determination to escape. During one of Forky’s many breakouts, Woody’s rescue mission has him reuniting with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (Annie Potts), delivering the cowboy both a taste of the joy that independence can bring and an internal conflict with one doozie of a moral fork in the road coming up fast (see what I did there?)
There are new toys joining the adventure and, par for the course, they’re a hoot. The rookies include a caustic stuffed duo (Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key), a police officer named Giggles McDimples (Ally Maki) and the scene stealing Canadian stunt driver, Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves). But as much as the funnybone gets its workout in, the true power of ‘Toy Story 4’ is how it emotionally connects with ages across the board with little to no manipulation involved. I was one of the masses who questioned another sequel, and I’ll admit – I was very, very wrong. Fourth time’s a charm for these toys.
