Toy Story 4 Review
G
Studio: Disney, Pixar
Run Time: 1 Hr 40 Minutes
Director: Josh Cooley | Screenwriters: Andrew Stanton, Stephany Folsom
Voice Cast:Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Madeleine McGraw, Christina Hendricks, Keanu Reeves, Ally Maki, Jay Hernandez, Lori Alan, Joan Cusack
Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that's Andy or Bonnie. So when Bonnie's beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (voice of Tony Hale), declares himself as "trash" and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family's road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts). After years of being on her own, Bo's adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior. As Woody and Bo realize they're worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, they soon come to find that's the least of their worries.
The last time we got to hang with Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and the gang was nine years ago. Granted there were multiple TV specials and theatrical shorts that followed Toy Story 3 but even to this day, Toy Story 3 holds up as one of the best animated sequels… no, just best sequels in general… actually, one of the BEST movies of all time. It was inspired, layered, and emotionally powerful from beginning to end. Hell, the movie was the third animated film to ever be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. It was undoubtedly a perfect ending to an incredible trilogy. And then Pixar said: SEQUEL!
And everyone, in unison, said:
But with Pixar being Pixar, they know how to work their magic. I was scared as hell about this because of the many hands that penned the script. I couldn’t have cared less for Lasseter stepping down and leaving Josh Cooley in charge of the director duties because I love to hear the new voices in the Pixar studio. But it was the screenplay that I was worried about. Remember, some of the people who wrote the first draft were Will McCormack and Rashida Jones. When they stepped down due to “philosophical differences”, my anxiety spiked again. Then, screenwriters Stephany Folsom and Andrew Stanton re-wrote three quarters of the initial first draft. All of those factors stacked up left me going:
Oh my God am I relieved. I’m going to make this review short because you’re going to see this regardless. I’m just here to reiterate why it’s so damn good.
First off: the animation. With the tools and resources for computer animation endlessly advancing, Pixar has been the studio that knows how to always be ahead of the curb and use it to their best advantage with each feature. The way each scene is crafted -- incorporating real life features such as rays of sunlight and how they reflect in the interior of a setting while incorporating shadows and hues in the dark places -- and seeing the characters navigate realistically animated areas is fantastic. I know it’s an odd detail to compliment but, for an animated movie, the way it utilizes white balance blew me away. Even adding small things such as DUST PARTICLES is so amazing. Try watching this in 3D and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Just take any still from the first two Toy Story movies and compare it to any frame here. It’s remarkable to see how far animation has come.
You could even tell that the designs and movements of the veteran characters were built from the ground up again. I couldn’t stop admiring how well Bo Peep was detailed where she looked much more like a porcelain figurine with that glimmer always present. Each toy has their own technique of animation through design and movement and that level of detailing is so enthralling. Take Forky, for example. Because his mouth is made from clay, the team uses stop motion whenever he speaks. And since his legs are literally made from popsicle sticks, he scuffles with each “step” he takes. They do things like that with nearly every character and it makes the world-building of the Toy Story universe so broad. In fact, it oddly gets surreal with its concept.
Everybody has been questioning why this film exists, pointing fingers at it, but Pixar points that finger right back and makes us wonder, “Why do we exist?” and you’re responding with:
The beginning of the movie focuses on a concept regarding a toy’s existential purpose through Forky, who comes to life because of the toys’ new owner, Bonnie. The film is primarily set on Woody having to come to terms with his place in his world as he reunites with his long lost flame, Bo Peep. In the set up, Woody is thrown to the wayside, not really appealing to his new owner that he’s never played with. He loses his purpose and takes the responsibility upon himself to make sure Forky doesn’t throw himself in.
What keeps Pixar ahead of the curb in the animation medium when it comes to storytelling is their ability to convey emotion through character expression rather than their dialogue. The poignant moment where a character must make a grave decision and ponder on it before they follow through is one of the best aspects of most of their movies.
They even made Bo Peep evolve into an Indiana Jones-like heroine and for once it’s not emphasized by gender. She’s tougher and able to stand on her own. Seeing her evolve into who she is now, even when it comes to her wardrobe, is incredible. Hell, it made me curious for a prequel series of sorts where we see what she was doing before this movie. Plus, the romance between her and Woody is stronger and makes for a great internal conflict for him.
The antagonist, Gabby Gabby, is written so perfectly that you don’t just immediately dislike her; you actually sympathize with her. Then, Forky is hella relatable and so funny with his inept personality because he’s pretty much a baby. But the one who blew me away was Duke Caboom, voiced by 2019’s favorite boyfriend.
All the voice actors are fantastic, bringing these characters to life outside of a recognizable voice, but Reeves is the one who made me hysterical. I mean, everyone made me laugh. Undoubtedly, this is the funniest entry in the series. But Keanu got me rolling. Him and Hale. Caboom’s character and Forky’s delivery made me laugh until I couldn’t breathe.
Because this is the fourth movie of a franchise, there are some retreads and the reliance on convenience is also present. But what was overdone here is the entire toy stealth thing. Whenever a person is present they’re supposed to act inanimate and that’s done one too many times for the sake of action that it begins to lose its flair later on. Even by the climax, the film takes pages out of its own catalog where characters cause mayhem in public places and it’s pretty much, “Okay. Been there done that.” But by the time it gets to its finale... oooooof.
This gives you a double dose of feels all at once and by that point you realize this wasn’t a sequel that felt like it was made by commission (like many animated sequels, even from Pixar) but more by inspiration. It may not be perfect and it is the weakest of the series, but it’s still damn great, which many movies these days (especially fourth entries of a film series) can’t seem to do.
Toy Story 4 is a brilliantly animated, emotionally resonant, and incredibly funny installment in the most reputable animated film series of all time.
Screw you Pixar, just take that damn Oscar already you whores.
Rating: 4.5/5 | 92%
