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Article by Nathan Hurlbut
Over the years, the “Toy Story” movies have essentially served as the flagship franchise for Pixar Studios. Back in 1995 the fledgling studio released its very first movie with “Toy Story,” which also held the historical distinction of being the first computer animated feature-length movie ever. Needless to say, the little studio had a lot to prove battling up against monolithic entities like the Walt Disney Corporation for a share of animated movie audiences.
The ‘little studio that could’ proved to be up to the task, as “Toy Story” proved to be a resounding success; a cutting-edge enterprise that set the standard for the industry and helped revolutionize the animated move genre. Over twenty years later, Pixar has not only been at the forefront of some of the best animated movies ever released, but has also become a division of the very corporation that it was competing against in the beginning.
Now that it’s 2019, we are being treated to another Toy Story sequel, this time with “Toy Story 4.” Having visited the lives of these characters periodically for the past twenty plus years, there’s a certain emotional resonance here that is certainly well earned, and the filmmakers fully acknowledge that quality here. It’s even been reported that Tom Hanks and Tim Allen became quite emotional filming the movie’s final scenes, as the weight of the franchise’s accomplishment with these beloved characters became overwhelming.
The same reaction can be expected from audience members as well, as this relentlessly clever, ultimately moving film proves to be yet another high point in Pixar’s movie history. The unflagging high level of quality the studio has produced for the series remains firmly intact.
At the end of “Toy Story 3,” wooden cowboy figure Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) and his fellow toys were donated by Andy (John Morris) to a young girl named Bonnie (Emily Hahn). As “Toy Story 4” continues that story, the toys soon find themselves content as they adjust to life in their new home. However, Woody specifically finds he’s being neglected in favor of other, more up-to-date toys.
He soon finds a purpose as the protector of ‘Forky’ (Tony Hale), a homemade toy Bonnie assembles during a kindergarten orientation. Woody sees Forky as crucial to Bonnie’s emotional support and pacifying her fears about attending school for the first time. Forky meanwhile fails to see the importance of his existence in Bonnie’s life, preferring to try to find his way back into any available garbage can from which his assorted parts were retrieved.
When the whole family decides to take a road trip, complete with Bonnie’s full collection of toys, Woody’s responsibilities watching over both Bonnie and Forky become much more complicated, necessitating the aid of all his fellow toys to prevent a potential disaster.
As is usual for the series, the writing here courtesy of returning screenwriter Andrew Stanton and newcomer Stephany Folsom is top notch. One specific scene that stands out involves Gabby (Christina Hendricks), a previously threatening presence seeking to steal Woody’s voice box, who gives Woody a heart-breaking speech about the importance of a cherished toy in a child’s life. Within this one extraordinary scene, the film’s exceptional writing and moving dialogue immediately transform a potential threat into a sympathetic, tragic figure worthy of compassion.
It’s this level of emotional generosity towards its characters that makes the movie such a moving experience. Every toy has its own story to tell, with their own hopes and dreams that makes them not merely toys on a child’s shelf, but fully-formed characters with their own internal lives.
The film also tempers these emotional moments with abundant doses of humor that doesn’t condescend to a younger audience, filling the story with a level of wit that is able to entertain adults as well. For example, when Woody tries to explain exactly what a merry-go-round is to the seemingly simplistic Forky, and he responds by pointing out, “Oh, you mean a carousel,” the hearty laughter that follows proves to be a frequent occurrence throughout the movie.
Meanwhile, hidden amidst all the hectic action and clever dialogue are weighty existential themes in which characters are constantly forced to confront their own nature through their personal struggles. This is true whether it’s Woody finding new purpose in his life as Bonnie’s, and hence ‘Forky’s, protective guardian, or ‘Forky’s own willingness to embrace his role as a cherished toy rather than mere garbage. It’s even present in young Bonnie’s acceptance of growing up and facing her own fears by heading off to her first year of school. It’s a real pleasure to discover a G-rated animated movie can be as profound as it is entertaining.
“Toy Story 4” may or may not be the last film in this series, as each movie before it could have also proven to be an apt conclusion. However, if this fourth installment does prove to be the final chapter in the franchise, it will see this exceptional series again ending on a high note.
Rated G.