Pixar’s 4th installment of the beloved Toy Story franchise has many feeling a bit nervous. Afterall, drawn out sequels and trilogies have suffered from fatigue and lackluster direction before, just take a look at the Fast and Furious series which has jumped the shark like a decade ago. Dare I even say that the recent barrage of Star Wars films have also occupied this “space”. Yet this is the almighty Pixar we are talking about, and their track record speaks for itself. Handling their precious properties and doing right by them is Pixar’s m.o.
Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen) and the rest of the crew return after the emotional 3rd part, where the dear toys were handed down from college bound Andy to a new owner, Bonnie. For many this conclusion was the pivotal stop gap in the franchise and the organic ending. It felt inevitable that sooner or later Andy would outgrow his favorite childhood toys and say farewell. However Toy Story 4 does not follow a cash grab path but expounds more on the characters new chapter ahead.
Toy Story 4 opens with a heart wrenching flashback that shows the last time Woody would see Bo Peep (Annie Potts) as she is donated to a new home. Reality sets in, seeing that this day would eventually come, Bo Peep tells Woody “It’s time for the next kid”. This dramatic setup circles around and leads to a reunion later on, where Woody is confronted with a more existential dilemma.
The most appealing aspect about this franchise is that all the characters exhibit extreme devotion and a sense of purpose. The dolls and figurines know that they are toys and that making their child happy is the only reason to exist. Even with their human-like emotions, they understand the cycle. We have come to know Woody as the “leave no toy behind” leader of the bunch, and it’s evident in a scene where he and the rest of the toys rescue RC when the toy car is left outside during a thunderstorm.
This impulsive and heroic trait that Woody shows is the reason why the pull string cowboy is such an iconic character. Many years ago this same impulse drove Woody to save Buzz from the deranged Sid (who let’s be honest, probably ends up in prison) and now extends the same instinct to newcomer Forky (Tony Hale). As Woody adapts to his new life where he isn’t the prized possession like he was to his previous owner, he still carries on with his duty.
So Bonnie begins kindergarten and is really anxious about her first day, she eventually “makes” a new friend by piecing together a spork, pipe cleaner, googly eyes and some broken popsicle sticks. Wah lah! We have ourselves… Forky? Ok so it’s not the most original character in the series but his brainless and haphazard nature provides us with a lot of comical moments. Many will think just how idiotic it was for Pixar to make a character out of a franken spoon but try to remember when you were a kid, and you enjoyed playing with a box or wrapper instead of the actual toy. Who are we to question a child’s imagination and limits to what really a “toy” should be?
Forky seems to be dealing with some identity crisis as he constantly tries to throw himself back into the trash bin. Of course he was constructed from a bunch of garbage so its only natural that he returns to his “cozy and warm” home. Woody however realizes just how happy Bonnie is when she plays with Forky and tries to steer Forky into believing that he is a “toy”. This eventually begins to circle back to the dilemma that Woody is dealing with and as a “toy” that has changed or perhaps even outlasted it’s utilized purpose.
As Bonnie’s family prepares for one last summer trip before school officially starts, Bonnie packs up all her toys and heads off in an RV. This begins the journey that separates Forky and Woody from the rest of the gang, as they stumble upon an antique store with a whole bunch of new toys. The antique store serves as a new land filled with unwanted, broken and simply old toys. This is where they come upon an antique doll called Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks) who has been defective since production and sets her eyes on Woody’s voice box. Gabby presents herself as a friendly host, but her intentions are clear, as she manipulates Forky and uses her minions to pursue Woody.
Other discarded toys within the antique store such as “Duke Caboom” voiced by the one and only Keanu Reeves, bring a welcomed pace to the story and plenty of laughs. As Woody begins to question his purpose, Buzz on the other hand is still very much a programmed figure. Always there by Woody’s side, Buzz is on the perpetual rescue mission. At some point the space ranger comes across a couple of carnival plushies called Bunny and Ducky (Jordan Peele & Keegan-Michael Kay) who offer assistance and endless laughs. Woody eventually reunites with Bo Peep who is relishing in her new “lost toy” lifestyle and helps him escape Gabby and rescue Forky.
All in all its enjoyable to see that Pixar stuck to its original blueprint when it came to telling a story about toys and growing up. Its been over 20 years since the original Toy Story was released and in the end Woody, Buzz, Rex, Slinky and all the others are exactly what they have been. Destined to be toys forever. The Toy Story franchise put Pixar not only on the map but garnered them as the torch carrier for the animated film revolution. Nothing less could have been expected from Pixar than to wrap up their first born in such an endearing way.
Toy Story 4 is in theaters everywhere…