Toy Story 4 (2019, G)

(Spoilers for the end of Toy Story 3.)

I’ll admit to being among those who didn’t think Toy Story needed another installment after the splendid conclusion given to us in Toy Story 3, but I’ve also been around long enough to know the cardinal rule: trust Pixar. I side-eyed enough of their trailers in my earlier years for movies that had me ugly-crying in the theatre. They know what they’re doing, and I’ve realized the smart money is not to doubt them (except when it comes to letting John Lasseter be a creep there for so long.)

But I digress! Toy Story 4!

Since we last saw the toys, they’ve been getting used to being in the room of a new kid, which means a new dynamic for their lives. This is especially hard for Woody; after having been Andy’s favorite toy for so many years, he struggles to adjust to Bonnie, who often passes him up for other toys. However, when Bonnie arrives home from her kindergarten orientation with a new favorite toy – a handmade figure aptly named Forky – Woody takes it upon himself to take on a new role as Forky’s mentor and protector. This is easier said than done, given Forky’s existential crisis over becoming a toy when he’d thought he was trash. While on a family vacation, Forky tries yet again to fly the coop, and Woody follows him into a world of lost and unowned toys, determined to bring him home.

I love how Pixar keeps finding new ways to explore the implications of the original movie’s simple premise, that toys are alive. Here, we see Bonnie making her own toy and imbuing it/him with life against his will. We also look at the lives forged by lost toys and see the plight of those who were made to be loved by children but have never been owned, like a factory defect gathering dust on a shelf or plush prizes for carnival games that are designed never to be won. As usual, there’s a lot of inventiveness on display, and the film explores these questions with both humor and pathos. Yes, I for sure laughed and cried.

Some nice character work here, especially with Woody and the returning Bo Peep (Tom Hanks and Annie Potts do great work together,) but while this film seems a little more unequally weighed than other chapters in the story, everyone gets at least a few good moments. For the new characters/cast members, Forky (Tony Hale) is a neurotic delight, Duckie and Bunny (Key and Peele) steal every scene they’re in, and I enjoy the absurd Duke Caboom and the villainous Gabby Gabby (Keanu Reeves and Christina Hendricks, respectively.)

Warnings

Some scary moments for kids, as well as some “don’t try this at home” stuff.