Well, Disney has me in my feels again with TOY STORY 5, which may be the franchise’s best film since TOY STORY 2 in 1999. Timely, emotional, and with the same wit and imagination we have come to know and love from Woody, Buzz, and the gang, this film is one that is going to deliver an emotional gut punch and resonate with audiences. I sniffled through the last 30 minutes of the movie, not because it’s overly sad but because it hits that perfect balance of melancholy and empathy. Of course, I don’t want to make this seem like a sob-fest. TOY STORY 5 is still super entertaining, funny, and most importantly, kid-friendly. This iteration proves the toys still have a place in the toy box, and the big screen.
Even after 31 years, our favorite gaggle of toys are in trouble again. But instead of Sid, Zurg, or Lotso Bear, the villain in this film is technology and its impact on childhood. Bonnie is one of the few children her age that still plays with toys. Her parents have been fighting the urge to get a tablet, but when they realize Bonnie is having a hard time making friends, they buy a Lilypad (Greta Lee) in the hopes that will help connect her to kids in her dance class. But much to the horror of the toys, especially their fearless leader Jesse (Joan Cusack) who is sheriff now that Woody (Tom Hanks) is gone, Bonnie starts to ignore the real-world. Instead of using her imagination, she goes into a zombie-like trance being sucked into the world of games and apps.
The toys rally together to try to put a stop to Lilypad, unplugging her from the wall and working to keep her away from Bonnie. Jesse even attempts to go next door to encourage the neighbor’s twins to become Bonnie’s friends. However, she is confronted with the fact that everyone is addicted to their screens… the era of the toy is over. But Jesse is never one to take abandonment lightly. Concerned that Bonnie is growing distant, Jesse takes it upon herself to find new friends for her and, in the process, reminds both Bonnie and the rest of the toys why they continue to play such an important role in the child’s life.
If I can count on anything with a TOY STORY movie it’s that the story is going to bring an enormous amount of charm and magic. And this poignant story feels written for a new generation of kids whose parents grew up on these movies. Whereas previous films tackled what happened to toys after their owners grew up, TOY STORY 5 explores an even more perilous concept, what happens if toys become obsolete altogether? I love that the filmmakers decided to focus the story on Jesse, a toy whose history has centered around feelings of being abandoned. Jesse realizes that her purpose is so much bigger than being a play item, she was instrumental in giving kids a sense of identity and a mechanism to meet and interact with friends. And all of these elements are at risk when kids stop playing and start tapping.
The script is full of the humor we have grown to love in a TOY STORY film, my favorites of which were the continued call-backs to Woody’s new “bald spot” and the imaginative spy-wedding thrillers created by Bonnie when she played with the toy gang. There are a lot of moving parts to keep track of to make this a cohesive story—including new/old multiple characters and changes of scenery—and I love that the script continued to surprise me. You may think the army of Buzz Lightyears are a random side quest… until they become a key element to the main story.
TOY STORY 5 is the perfect mix of humor and heart, with a valuable lesson cooked in about the dangers of screen addiction and the value of real-life relationships. Don’t let the fact that this is the fifth installment in the franchise fool you—this isn’t a money grab. It is a triumphant adventure that continues to strike a chord with viewers of all ages. Despite being one of the most consistently good franchises, after TOY STORY 4, I wondered if this franchise would have the legs to return for another iteration. Now I can’t wait to see what the team is dreaming up next.
Note: There is an mid-credit scene so make sure you stay and watch once the credits roll!
My Review: A
