Toy Story 4 (2019 Film) Review

Well, we started this decade with a "Toy Story" film, so it makes sense that we finish it with another. Was Pixar right about bringing the gang back together for a fourth installment?

Set a few years after Andy gave the toys to Bonnie, Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the toy gang are enjoying their new lease on life. While at Kindergarten orientation, Bonnie creates a new toy in arts and crafts, naming it Forky and bringing it home to the rest of the toys. While on a road trip with Bonnie's family, Forky believes himself trash and throws himself away, causing Woody to go rescue him. As they make their way back to Bonnie, the two come across an antique shop at a fair where Woody reunites with Bo Peep and the trio meet a colorful cast of new toys.

Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Joan Cusack, Wallace Shawn, Blake Clark, John Ratzenberger, Estelle Harris, Jodie Benson, Jeff Pidgeon, Kristen Schaal, Bonnie Hunt, Timothy Dalton, and Jeff Garlin all return to voice their characters for this fourth installment. The late Don Rickles, the voice of Mr. Potato Head, makes a posthumous return. Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Keanu Reeves, Christina Hendricks, and Ally Maki voice the new characters in the film. They each provide the voices for Forky, Duck, Bunny, Duke Caboom, Gabby Gabby, and Giggle McDimples, respectively.

"Toy Story 4" was directed by Josh Cooley and produced by Jonas Rivera and Mark Nielsen. The film was written by Stephanie Folsom and Andrew Stanton. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios distributed "Toy Story 4."

Overall Thoughts

Out of all the sequels we've gotten to Pixar films of late, "Toy Story 4" seemed the most questionable. As we all know, "Toy Story 3" went out on the highest note you could possibly end a franchise on. Critics sang its praises, it was the first animated film to make over a billion dollars, and the third animated film in history to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. More importantly, it ended the story that was started fifteen years prior, eliminating all reason for a continuation. Yet Pixar refused to let "Toy Story" die, eventually producing short films and television specials that showed the toys' life post-Andy. With those small continuations, it was inevitable that a theatrical sequel would be made and sure enough, one was announced in late 2014. Practically everybody everywhere repeated how much a fourth film was unnecessary and that it was just to make more cash for the studio, which was not unfounded. Historically, many studios have attempted to continue their beloved franchises before and very few have pulled it off successfully.

Thankfully, because it's Pixar and because they rarely forget what matters most in making a great film, "Toy Story 4" somehow manages the feat of becoming yet another exceptional installment in the franchise, and I don't think any of you - those that have seen the movie, of course - will dispute that. By some strange stroke of creative genius, Pixar found a legitimate reason to continue the story, giving more credibility to the legacy and importance of the "Toy Story" movies. This fourth installment furthers the themes of the franchise, bringing back that same good-natured heart that was with the franchise since its inception twenty-four years ago.

How Pixar is able to keep up such a record can only be answered by looking at the love and care that this movie is full of. The most appropriate way to describe "Toy Story 4" is as a feel-good film. It just fills you with happiness. It may have some sad moments in it, but they are in service of making sure you're happy when the characters fulfill their goals. You see this movie, and then you leave the cinema with a smile on your face. It's so infectious that if you're brain could, it, too, would be smiling.

"Toy Story 4" fulfills the highest requirements that you'd have for a "Toy Story" film. It has likable characters, an accessible story, thoughtful allegories, and comedy that does not dumb its audience down. This movie had me laughing over and over again from the beginning to the end. I didn't get too emotional during the film, but my heart was warmed many times throughout. The animation I-I-I can't even begin to describe. You know what? Look around, people, because we're living in the peak of computer animation to the point where everything looks photo-real. Pixar continues to bridge the gap between fantasy and reality, yet they don't fall into the uncanny valley, and I'm impressed. Randy Newman's musical score plays like a greatest hits album. It's all the great music that you've come to associate with "Toy Story" and it's icing on the cake. Newman brings back "You've Got a Friend in Me," but he adds two new songs to the franchise catalogue, titled "I Can't Let You Throw Yourself Away" and "The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy." They're both two great songs that help communicate the feelings of certain characters in the story, each with their own double meanings.

Everyone in the cast shines throughout the film, with Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Annie Potts being the natural leaders. Potts's Bo Peep was, if you recall, missing from "Toy Story 3." While this fourth film gives a simple explanation as to why, I still like to think her absence in part three was largely due to her character being made of porcelain. If Bo Peep had remained in the group, that sweet and innocent-looking porcelain doll would've melted "Raiders of the Lost Ark"-style during the incinerator scene, scaring audiences even more so than what the original scene did. Her return to the franchise does have an impact and she provides a new look at the life of a toy without having an owner, thematically differentiating this fourth installment from the pack. Hanks and Potts click the same way they did in the first two films, almost like they never left each other. Allen and Joan Cusack may have minor parts, but their roles are still filled with their character's individual charm and charisma. Don Rickles is given a nice tribute during the end credits, but has understandably few lines in the film. Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Keanu Reeves, and Tony Hale had me laughing throughout the film. Their comedic timing and dialogue is perfection, the kind that Pixar's had in many of their films, particularly their "Toy Story" pictures.

While I was very close to giving "Toy Story 4" my perfect grade, unfortunately, it did have a few problems. My main qualm with the film is that the plot felt thin as it reached the final act. Towards the climax, the plot started to become more of a checklist. I was still invested, but the issue was distracting. I also feel like the Gabby Gabby character was a mixed message. She's not an antagonist, but not a protagonist either. As the film goes on, we're expected to care for this character, who has a tragic past and a goal that would make you want to root for her. However, in order to accomplish her goal, she makes choices that would make her a villain and neither the film nor the character ever realizes that. She never feels remorse for those questionable actions, so what you're left with is a character who you're uncertain how to feel about. At least, that's how I interpreted her and I digress. Really, if those are my only complaints about the film, then you know "Toy Story 4" is something special, which it undeniably is.

Rating: ★★★½

Full of passion, thought, and character, Pixar does it again with "Toy Story 4," another outstanding continuation - and possible conclusion - of this unparalleled animated saga.

"Toy Story 4" is for everyone, hence the G-rating. Thus, it should be seen by everyone. I doubt that any of you reading this have never seen a "Toy Story" film before, so that makes it even more of a must-see. If you are a die-hard Pixar or animation fan like me, this is, again, essential viewing in the theater. If you have a family, this makes for the perfect opportunity to visit the cinemas. How nice is it that a G-rated film, a family film through and through, can do that. I don't believe we've had a G-rated film in the theater for quite some time, so I'm glad Pixar came out with this one. Be sure to stay through the very end because there are many fun things in store for you.

Conclusion

This has been my review of "Toy Story 4." I hope you enjoyed this review. Have you seen the film? If you have, tell me what you thought in the comments below. In addition, feel free to recommend a film for me to review next. I'll be seeing Danny Boyle's new film, "Yesterday," and "Spider-Man: Far From Home" in the coming days, so expect reviews for those films soon. Thanks for reading, I'm Dallin, your resident film fanatic, and I'll return soon with another editorial.