“Toy Story 5” follows Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the rest of the gang as their jobs get harder when they go head-to-head with an all-new threat to playtime: technology.
It’s the gift that keeps on giving. With “Toy Story 5,” this franchise shows that it still has plenty more stories to tell. While many have questioned the continuation of the series, there’s no doubt that this was a story worth telling. Better yet, it’s one that needs to be shared.
Of course, “Toy Story 5” has a major draw — nostalgia. Seven years after the last installment, it’s as exciting as ever to see these characters back on the screen. The sentimentality within never feels forced. This is because the film has cross-generational appeal with the integration of toys and tech. Viewers will be able to see some of their favorite characters mixed in with many new ones that are bound to become fan favorites.
I was a part of the “skeptics” crowd heading in. Well… even 31 years after the original film, the franchise still has a heartfelt core that lands. Despite viewing over 100 movies each year, there are only a handful that ever make me cry. “Toy Story 5” is one of them, leaving me teared up throughout the entire second half of the 102-minute runtime.
This is due to the evergreen nature of the themes explored within. There are many ideas jam-packed inside “Toy Story 5.” This includes friendship, creative thinking, bullying, memory, legacy and more. Some of these are more of a focus than others, but they each have moments to shine. All of them are explored through converging storylines: Bonnie’s journey to find a friend, Jessie’s longing for meaning and the toys’ fear of irrelevance with technology looming.
Andrew Stanton and McKenna Harris serve as co-writers and directors. While their script had potential to be distracted, the separate narratives somehow blend together. Longtime fans may find themselves disappointed with just how many of the legacy characters are sidelined, however. If you can look past this, the plot is as relevant as ever. The biggest evolution between the original “Toy Story” and this fifth rendition is technology. Children are now handed tablets by their parents and told to “play.” But is this really playing? That’s the core idea behind “Toy Story 5,” and it will likely strike a chord with parents — and really anyone who remembers their childhood.
This also could’ve been overly preachy. And while it can appear it’s heading in that direction at times, the messaging remains contained. Being able to access information or message “friends” with the click of a button can lead to complicated feelings for kids. The film navigates these complexities, showing alternative paths rather than strict opposition. “Toy Story 5” suggests that co-existence is OK.
The magic is largely created through the visuals. This is easily the best a “Toy Story” movie has ever looked. Directors of photography Matt Aspbury and Jean-Claude Kalache make the film an immersive visual experience on top of the already stimulating narrative. Mimicking anamorphic lenses and implementing dynamic rack focusing, the film functions like a live-action experience. So much so that you sometimes forget you’re watching an entirely animated project.
Where it emphatically reminds you of its creativity, though, is when it shifts inside a child’s mind. On several occasions, “Toy Story 5” transitions the animation style to a watercolor-like dynamic that brings kids’ play to life. These sequences prove to be some of the most memorable of the entire movie.
The core voice performances from Joan Cusack (Jessie), Tom Hanks (Woody) and Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear) remain effective. With more of the focus on Jessie this time around, Cusack is able to shine. Her words carry the necessary gravitas for the inspirational moments, but also weight for the hard-hitting ones. Hanks and Allen have a number of fun back-and-forth exchanges, once more transforming into the beloved characters. Two memorable “newbies” are Conan O’Brien (Smarty Pants) and Greta Lee (Lilypad).
“Toy Story 5” weaves pieces from the past with an inevitable future, delivering timely themes and relatable messaging for viewers of all ages.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
