When the credits rolled on Toy Story 3 and after the tears dried, it was assumed that we had seen the last of Woody and Buzz Lightyear. Therefore, one can imagine the collective joy that was emitted from every single Toy Story fan when Pixar announced that Toy Story 4 was coming down the pipeline. The franchise is the rarest of breeds in that each successive film was exponentially more entertaining and emotionally richer. That almost never happens in Hollywood.
What it means, theoretically, is that the fourth installment in the series that started in 1995 should be the best and Best Picture good. Yeah, not just Best Animated Feature Oscar great, but also finding its named called among the Best Picture contenders for Academy Awards, circa 2020.
To the astonishment of no one, it is that fantastic and… infinitely more hilarious. We’re at the halfway mark of 2019 and I can safely state that Toy Story 4 is the most fantastically funny film of the year thus far. Yes, heady praise—especially for an episode four in a magnificent movie series.
This time out, Pixar and Disney do something ingeniously original. Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, Wall-E) and Stephany Folsom’s (making her big-time debut) screenplay captures an element of the toy and children bond that is wholeheartedly unique and an aspect that every single one of us as children have experienced and as parents seen first-hand. On her first day of Kindergarten, Bonnie makes a new friend—like literally makes a toy from a tossed out spork, pipe cleaners and giggly eyes and glue. Forky (Tony Hale) comes home with the little one after her “orientation day” and it is clear to Woody (Tom Hanks) that this makeshift toy is everything to a young girl going through the tough adjustment that is commencing Kindergarten.
Since there is a week before Bonnie officially starts Kindergarten, her parents decide to rent an RV and hit the road. The toys, sensing something off with Forky, rallies behind Woody who has led the charge to ensure that the new homemade toy sticks around. See, when Forky came to life in Bonnie’s backpack to Woody’s astonished surprise, he made something clear—he belongs in the trash. A spork’s work was done when the meal he or she was utilized for is completed. Bonnie has denied him that right of passage, so he does everything he can to find his way into a trash can, where Woody undoubtedly tosses him out of and back into Bonnie’s loving arms.
One night while the RV is cruising the roadways of America, the toys blink for just a moment and wouldn’t you know it—Forky dives out the window. Not far behind him is Woody. This is a rescue, people. Bonnie’s parents pull into the next town where there is a RV park and a classic of the summertime scene, a fair.
There is also a subplot set up brilliantly in the film’s first moments. We flash back to nine years prior when Woody, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and the toys were still the light of Andy’s life. Andy’s little sister had a Little Bo Peep toy lamp. She loved it (and honestly, so too did Woody—wink wink, nudge, nudge) until she didn’t anymore, and Bo Peep (Annie Potts, Ghostbusters) was given to someone else. Ever since that fateful night, Woody has been on the lockout for his old friend and there’s something about an antiques store in this town where the RV has stopped, that he feels might have Bo on the inside. As we know from that Toy Story 4 trailer, she’s there and it adds so many layers dramatically, emotionally, action-wise (yes!) and comedically to the story.
Between the homemade toy that is added to the ensemble and a beloved toy who gets lost (Bo), there is a multitude of storytelling opportunities never before employed in this movie series that by all normal accounts, should have run out of gas years ago. But it is that kind of fresh thinking that elevates not only Toy Story and its sequels, but Pixar movies in general to a whole different level than any other animation house in Hollywood (although one could argue that Illumination is coming close, what with their recent success of The Secret Life of Pets 2).
Casting is always king, especially in animated movies and since 1995, Toy Story has struck gold with the introduction of each successive character. There are many new additions (beyond Forky) in Toy Story 4 and once again the Emeryville, California-based animation house shows why they’re the best. At the fair, Buzz winds up being prize bait at a game booth, and he meets Bunny and Ducky (Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key … reunited!). The pair of stuffed animals are joined at the hands and we wouldn’t want it any other way. A fantastic addition to the gang. Also terrific is Keanu Reeves as Duke Caboom, i.e. Canada’s greatest motorcycle riding daredevil. Reeves’ unbelievable summer (with John Wick Chapter 3) continues and we could not be happier that he is now in the Toy Story universe with a character that is simultaneously hilarious and heartwarming as well. Giggle McDimples (Ally Maki) is an utter blast of an addition and so too is Christina Hendricks (recently seen in American Woman) voicing Gabby Gabby. Giggle and Gabby enrich the storyline in countless ways and add so many laughs to the overall scope of the film. Not going to say too much, but the additions of Mel Brooks, Carol Burnett, Carl Reiner and Betty White to the cast is beyond blissful.
As any sequel should do, Toy Story 4 stands on its own, but being familiar with the series would help elevate the emotional quotient immensely. The Josh Cooley directed flick also feels quite different than any of the three movies that came before in that it is a search and rescue flick, a road trip flick, a family vacation flick and above all else (something all the Story’s do) tugs at the heartstrings in how it takes us all back to that priceless connection between our toys and our growing (and everything that means) younger selves. It’s an incredibly personal idea, what how we each formed, maintained and ultimately let go, of our relationships with our toys. As there are infinite variations on that for each of us, the Toy Story experience has been uniquely individualistic for audiences as well. Toy Story 4 probably brings that into focus more so than any of the other films as well. When we are in our own little heads, having our moments with our homemade toys or store bought ones, it is a kindred moment shared by every last one of us here on Earth. What is such a triumph is how Pixar has, since 1995, captured the most individualistic of relationships in a way that makes a unique emotive connection something that is shared by billions.
Another stand-out thought, after experiencing Toy Story 4, is how this is a film to treasure for all the aforementioned reasons, but especially because it is helmed by a filmmaker making his big screen debut and he’s working from a screenplay co-written by an artist also making a first big feature. That speaks volumes on two fronts. Pixar knows how to find talent, first, and secondly, the studio innately possesses a creative landscape that is so inspiring that it is custom built for folks of varied experience to triumph. After visiting Pixar on several occasions, I can safely say all of this is palpable.
In hindsight, the plot of Toy Story 4 seems simple. The Halloween made-for-TV short had more going on, truthfully, than the fourth film. That further illustrates how often the best animated movies can ride a wave of sentiment for 90+ minutes that make their points in manners that are understandable to the youngest viewers and weighty and subtlety strong for us more mature audience members. The theme that a youngster’s utter adoration for a toy is not dictated by its price tag or its bells and whistles is a stellar one. In this era of smart toys and technological marvels, it is a valuable lesson for today’s kids. Remember when your toddlers found endless joy from a spatula and a saucepan? That entire sentiment permeates the characterization of Forky as well as the toy ensemble that we have been following for four films. Buzz, Woody, Rex and the entire gang are now hand-me-downs whose joy is just as blindingly brilliant for Bonnie as it was for Andy.
To all the parents out there feeling the pressures of trying to keep up with the parents of your kids’ comrades, Toy Story 4 has a message for you. Enriching enjoyment for your children comes from a varied lineage and one never knows which toy or item will carry the most weight with your youngster. Love and enjoyment arrives in many forms and often, its most resonant relationship arrives from the least expected places.
Grade: A+