At the close of Toy Story 3, those who saw the Oscar winning flick had to walk away with the feeling that we had seen the last of Woody (Tom Hanks) and his straight-arrowed sidekick Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen). Think again as this past summer, Toy Story 4 hit theaters, became an international smash (a billion bucks at the box office!) as it delighted globe-spanning fans (as well as critics—it possesses a 98-percent critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes) and now with its home video release, it is a righteous chance to have this fourth uber-fine story has arrived be a part of you and your family’s life forever.
The Toy Story 4 Blu-Ray, DVD and digital download includes never-before-seen deleted scenes, wildly entertaining and informative chats with the stars who comprise this Pixar produced ensemble and those behind the camera who add layers upon layers of richness to one already rich franchise.
First off, this film is in many ways much different, tonality, than the previous Toy Story flicks. In fact, it is on many levels. It finds Woody, Buzz and the gang now at Bonnie’s (Madeleine McGraw) house. Things are different, i.e. Woody isn’t getting played with as much—but that’s OK. He’s all about the toy making the kid happy and when he gets the call in the toy bullpen, he’s ready to go! To that end, when Bonnie brings home a toy she made at her first day of Kindergarten, the cowboy with a heart of gold goes out of his way to make Forky feel at home amongst the legion of “store bought” toys. The thing is, Forky (Veep’s Tony Hale), is feeling out of place. After all, this spork was supposed to be used for soup, “or maybe even chili.” Next thing he knows, he has a pair of googly eyes slapped on him, pipe cleaners added for arms and he comes to life utterly lost. All he wants to do is find himself in the trash, where all plastic sporks are supposed to conclude their journey. That would be bad, Woody knows, because Bonnie would be crushed.
Also, a bit varied is how Toy Story 4 finds our toy legion hitting the highways on a road trip. Getting out of the kids’ house is a great way to spice up the franchise and take us into places we have never been before. Another aspect arrived in the form of Annie Potts’ Bo Peep. There’s an epilogue where viewers get to see a fateful evening where Woody’s crush (can we say that? Do toys have crushes? LOL) finds herself leaving the house where they all live because her kid outgrew her. Happens all the time, but for Woody, the moment she left has haunted him for years. You can imagine his thrill when he finds her at an antique store near a town fair where Bonnie’s family have stopped for a few days.
Pixar is loyal to its actors and Toy Story 4 is no different as many of the previous toys (and the voices that go along with them) are along for the ride and it is beyond blissful to hear them in this fourth film in such a beloved franchise. Jessie (Joan Cusack) returns, as does Bonnie Hunt’s Dolly, Wallace Shawn’s Rex, John Ratzenberger’s Hamm and Don Rickles’ Mr. Potato Head and of course Estelle Harris’ Mrs. Potato Head.
Other standouts who have joined the cast anew are Christina Hendricks as Gabby Gabby, Keanu Reeves—scene stealing—as Duke Caboom and Mel Brooks as Melephant Brooks!
We also get to meet some new toys. Among our faves is Ducky (Keegan-Michael Key) and Bunny (Jordan Peele). Beyond a hilarious and heartwarming reunion of Key and Peele, these characters pop off the screen and are a delightful addition to the Toy Story clan.
The first Toy Story landed 25 years ago and in the last quarter-century animation has had its envelope pushed and right there with the winds of change has been Pixar and Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3. It’s a fascinating franchise as it manages to stay fresh, and yet stay true to what it is that made the first film so endeared.
Josh Cooley makes his feature length animated film debut and one would never know that this was his first feature film endeavor. He has a stunning command of his craft and it is a stunningly seamless evolution from the veteran John Lasseter’s helmed first film through the rookie taking the reins for this fourth incarnation. Also, a joy are the two new songs by Randy Newman. The guy who gave us the incomparable You’ve Got a Friend in Me has a pair of delightful ditties in the new flick, I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away (which he performed) and The Ballad of the Lonesome Cowboy—performed by country crooner Chris Stapleton for the end credits.
The two-disc set would be impressive if it just included the film itself and a few bonus features. But this is Disney and Pixar and they always delve deep and that is part of why their releases are more often than not, must-purchase additions to any video library.
One of the more joyous featurettes is Toy Stories. The cast and crew divulge their favorite toys growing up (and even now!) and for those on the creative side of Toy Story 4, it is fascinating to hear how those childhood toy passions influenced this film. What do you think Hanks’ favorite toy growing up was and is it something that kids today would be interested in? You’ll have to check it out and see!
That Newman song that set this world in motion, You’ve got a Friend in Me, perfectly encapsulated the bond between Woody and Buzz that developed over that first Toy Story and it only grew from there. Therefore, the short look at the journey of their friendship, Woody & Buzz is an endearing featurette that spotlights a friendship that we can only aspire to have in our lives.
Little Bo Peep is an integral character in the latest Toy Story and besides having the most impeccable of casting (Potts is brilliant), filmmakers amped up her character in many ways over the course of the four-film series. What we find in the fourth installment is a take-no-prisoners, inspirational female that is exactly what girls (and boys) need today in an animated character. Bo Rebooted finds Potts and many of the women of Pixar who worked on her for this latest film and how they not only “brought her into the 21st century,” but elevated her in stature that she could serve as the lynchpin for so much of what meaningfully occurs in Toy Story 4.
Speaking of Woody and Bo, Anatomy of a Scene: Playground is an awesome featurette that takes us inside the making of the playground scene where those two reunite and how that moment serves as a catalyst for so much that occurs in the flick from that point on. It is detailed, informative and above all else, is reflective of the spirit of the entire film series. I actually watched it twice!
For those who are curious about how actors and actresses do their part in the movie making magic that is the animated process, dive into Let’s Ride with Ally Maki. Maki is the voice of Giggle McDimples and she gives us a first-hand view of the recording process. It’s insightful, entertaining and an incredibly revealing look at how the director, the star, a what’s called “scratch voice artist,” production assistants and more creative souls all contribute to something that could be seen as so simple. I mean, you go into a studio, record your lines and go home, right? Wrong! There is so much more that goes into the recording process for thespians and filmmakers, it will blow your mind.
An uncanny way to introduce some of the Toy Story 4 characters arrives in a bonus feature that is entitled Toy Box. What a wildly original and wickedly entertaining way for us to go behind the scenes and meet some of the terrific toys that exponentially enhance the appeal of the Toy Story realm. We get a stellar look at Gabby Gabby and her Gang, Forky, our favorite new addition, Reeves’ Duke Caboom, the comic stylings of Ducky & Bunny and last but not least (by any means!), Giggle McDimples.
I hope this next featurette (albeit a short one) lights a match of inspiration for other animated production houses. Imagine getting to literally be the eyes of some of the characters in particular moments in the film that resonated richly. Toy Views gives us a toys-eye view of two stand-out locales from Toy Story 4. There’s a fabulous ride in the skunkmobile in Carnival Run as we get a great point of view perspective of the carnival from those who were rocking in that Bo Peep method of transportation. That antique shop was vital to all involved and specifically, that roof was priceless for giving our toys a birds-eye view of the goings on at the fair. Prepare to head to the roof, people as View from the Roof gives you, well … exactly that!
Lastly, at some point during your Toy Story 4 journey at home (because you will be buying this puppy, won’t you?!), turn on the audio commentary track with director Cooley and one of the film’s producers, Mark Nielsen. Just one facet of this is some priceless Easter Eggs that you probably missed, as well as truly incredible, endearing and entertaining behind-the-scenes insight that can only be received via audio commentary. Witnessing what the filmmakers are talking about, while watching it, well that is just about as good as it gets when you’re talking about Pixar and the magnificent magic they continually produce.
Film Grade: A+
Bonus Features: A+