TOY STORY 4 REVIEW
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Tony Hale
Directed By: Josh Cooley (Feature Film Debut)
Rated: G
Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes
Back in 1995 when the original Toy Story was released it literally changed the way we make movies.It’s a technical achievement on par with The Wizard of Oz, Jaws, or Terminator 2.Toy Story changed your idea of what a movie could be.And that’s just visually.The actual movie turned out to be an all-time classic.A rare tale that spoke to kids and adults alike. It didn’t dumb its message down for kids.It made a juggernaut out of the studio that created Toy Story, Pixar.The studio has won 15 Academy Awards since its inception.
Toy Story 4 marks the 21st film from Pixar Studios.The vast majority of which have been some of the most well received movies ever.And this movie might be a simple cash grab for a studio that hasn’t been churning out original ideas as of late.But if anyone’s allowed to do a cash grab, it’s Toy Story.They get the benefit of the doubt going in that they’re not going to put out a subpar product to make a quick buck.
And you should give them the benefit of the doubt, because it seems as though, there’s more story to tell here.Toy Story 4 tells the story of what happens after Andy gives his beloved toys to Bonnie in Toy Story 3 and the two play in the front yard together, making every person with a soul cry their eyes out.How does Bonnie adjust to starting Kindegarten?How do the toys we’ve come to love over the last 25 years adjust to a new owner?
I’m going to try not to spoil too much of the plot.I know this a big franchise that’s going to have some long legs at the box office and I would hate to ruin it for people, but let’s just say that the new film acts as a great epilogue to what we saw nine years ago in Toy Story 3.
And it’s more than that.We get new adventures in a new setting with new characters.Those new characters steal the movie.Keanu Reeves plays stuntman Duke Caboom and is joined by fellow newcomers Key and Peele who play Ducky and Bunny, a pair of carnival prizes that help the gang.The characters breathe new life into the series as we lost the voices of Slinky Dog and Mr Potato Head in 2000 and 2017 respectively.One more new cast member is maybe the driving force of the movie, Tony Hale who voices Forky, an art project made from a spork, who believes he is trash and not a toy.
This is very much Woody’s story.We focus on how he deals with a new owner, the loss of responsibility, and finding a new purpose.Buzz Lightyear fans, he gets his moments, but I was a little surprised how much time goes by without Buzz being in this movie.But it makes sense given the plot.
The greatness of Toy Story has always been its emotional heft.You know you’re going to come in, see a great movie that is funny, and hits a few somber notes.This fourth chapter is no different.It’s by far the funniest of the four films.There’s quite a few surprises along the way.It’s a great adventure movie, fun for the whole family, all ages welcome.No quote-unquote scary parts for the little ones.No big tearjerker scenes like in the previous films.But I did get choked up at the end.
My wife and I kind of came to the conclusion that Toy Story is the surest bet in the movie business.You know what you’re getting, you know it’s going to be great.You can sign me up for as many of these as you want to make between now and the end of time and I’m game.
On a scale of "See It/Stream It/Skip It – You didn’t need me to tell you this was going to be a great movie.Toy Story movies are always great, this is no exception.More than a cash grab.
If you liked any Toy Story movie ever, any Pixar movie ever, or any kids movie ever you might like Toy Story 4.
4 out of 5 stars for Toy Story 4.One of the best this year.