For his first major production, director Josh Cooley has done an admirable job with the anticipated Toy Story 4. So if you’re worried that Pixar wouldn’t be able to get any more interesting mileage from these characters- seeing as how the third movie in 2010 felt so resolute in his conclusion and a perfect bow-end to the series- this new movie still puts forth some fascinating questions for them to answer about themselves. Childish as they may appear, the Toy Story cast is still full of nuance that will appeal to all types in the audience.
We’re forced to ask ourselves, whats a toy to do when its main purpose, their children, has other priorities? Once again voiced with spirit and sweetness by Tom Hanks, Woody’s still asking himself that after his owner Andy passed him, Tim Allen’s Buzz Lightyear, Joan Cusack’s cowgirl Jesse, Jon Ratzenberger’s piggy bank Hamm, Wallace Shawn’s nervous dinosaur Rex, and the rest of his toybox to Bonnie, who’s starting her first day of kindergarten. He’s still missing Bo Peep (Annie Potts), who is shown in a moving flashback given away with a box of other toys to a neighbor while the gang rescues RC from a storm drain.
The string pull cowboy tags along and leaves some arts and craft materials behind for her, and she deals with her anxiety by creating Forky, a nervous wreck of a Frankenstein-toy played by Tony Hale. Woody acts as a mentor to the spork-pipe cleaner hybrid, teaching the reluctant Forky the importance of making kids happy and why he’s more than “trash” as he hilariously exclaims.
So when Forky gets lost inside an antique shop during a road trip, Woody’s going to need some help rescuing him from Gabby Gabby- a talking tea time doll voiced by Christina Hendricks with a blend of sweetness and malice, who wants a voice box so a girl who frequents the shop will buy her. Luckily. Peep reappears and reveals she’s been riding around with a group of other “lost toys” bringing joy to multiple kids at a playground.
With the help of the Canadian daredevil action figure Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves, obviously enjoying himself), two carnival plush prizes Ducky and Bunny (Keegan Michael-Key and Jordan Peele) and Buzz who’s taken the habit of listening to his “inner voice”, Woody and Bo attempt a rescue mission for the sake of Bonnie’s comfort.
Toy Story 4 is a bit more comedic than the previous films and notably less intense than the third movie- there are some unsettling moments, but that’s due primarily to the strong directing. I doubt there’s anything here that’ll scare kids in the theater like the incinerator sequence did (heck, that one spooked their adults.). And while there’s more than enough action to satisfy people- I missed seeing Woody’s classic flailing running style- it’s also noticeably more dialogue-centric this time, and this benefits his character development throughout the story.
Whereas the first and second movies portrayed him as envious of Buzz and unsure of his place among Andy’s toys, Woody in spite of the questions he asks himself is motivated by altruism- this is easily the most selfless incarnation of his character. Tom Hanks gives one of his better and more nuanced performances as the pull-string doll, and his chemistry with Potts boosts both of their respective arcs.
Here’s another great thing: it’s easily the most visually impressive Toy movie to date, from the details in the toys (both old and new characters), the impressive scenery (a colorful chandelier and a sunny playground are especially good looking), to the far better looking human characters, with more appealing and believable expressions since the stiff porcelain-looking figures from 1995’s TS1.
Without resorting to anything inappropriate for the target audience, there’s a stronger level of daringness in much of the humor, especially on the part of Bunny and Ducky. As adorable as the colorful plushes look, the fantasies of their plans they explain to Buzz for accessing a key are twistedly funny and decidedly amoral, along with the unicorn Buttercup (Jeff Garlin) and his eagerness to see Bonnie’s dad get arrested.
But even through all of its absurdity, Toy Story knows what notes to hit for touching the heartstrings of a wide range of people. I would say this movie is adorable, without ever feeling cloying. The toy’s arcs are complex in manners that will likely connect with both kids and parents. Despite their eccentrities, the toys are notably kind and protective of the emotional health of the children who play with them, and they’re also allowed to go on hero’s journeys that people of all ages can get into. All of its sentimentality is earned, and the fact it’s also balanced out by such sharp yet family-friendly comedy helps.
The Toy Story series, as colorful and silly as it looks on the surface, I feel has always had a subtle undercurrent of sophistication to it. Mainly because of how much the movies understand how important a beloved toy can be to kids, on top of giving the playthings considerable depth themselves. This fourth movie continues with that same formula and executes it as well as the others, so it’s an easy recommendation from me. If you’d had the chance to see it, write us up at @Official_FAN on Twitter and share your opinion with us!