TOY STORY 4 REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

Since the release of Toy Story in 1995, Pixar Animated Studios have released over twenty animated features, with the majority of them impressing critics and succeeding at the box office. While I think that Pixar are at their best when they're releasing original films, the Toy Story sequels are just as good. Toy Story was a breakthrough as it was the first full-length animated feature to be created using computer-generated imagery. Its first sequel was released four years later and it matched the quality of its predecessor. For over a decade, Pixar focused on creating original films before releasing Toy Story 3 in 2010. Ir ended with Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) and the rest of Andy’s toys being passed on to Bonnie (Emily Hahn). It was an emotional ending and, for a while, it served as an conclusion to the franchise. However, at the end of 2014, Pixar announced that there would be a fourth instalment. I was surprised by this news as I think that Toy Story 3 had a perfect ending and worked really well as a conclusion. Despite this, I was still excited for Toy Story 4.

Woody has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that's Andy or Bonnie. So when Bonnie's beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (voice of Tony Hale), declares himself as "trash" and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family's road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (Annie Potts). After years of being on her own, Bo's adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior. As Woody and Bo realize they're worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, they soon come to find that's the least of their worries.

Because Toy Story 3 was successful, both with critics and at the box office, there was a lot of pressure for director, Josh Cooley, to create a sequel that lived up to expectations and matched the quality of its predecessors. Fortunately, with Toy Story 4, he has succeeded.

The majority of the story focuses on Woody searching for Forky and trying to reunite him with Bonnie. His search leads him to an antiques shop where he meets a doll called Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks) whose voice box is broken and wants to steal Woody's. At first, she is seen as the main antagonist and she does seem quite menacing, however, she is soon redeemed by the end. This is what I found refreshing about Toy Story 4 as, unlike in the previous films, there's no villain. 

The antiques shop is also where he reunites with Bo. Since her absence, Bo has enjoyed her independence and what I liked most about her character is that she's developed more into just Woody's love interest and she is also given a lot more to do. 

Those expecting to see more of their old favourite toys such as Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Allen), Hamm (John Ratzenberger), Rex (Wallace Shawn), Mr and Mrs Potato Head (Don Rickles and Estelle Harris) and Slinky Dog (Blake Clarke) may be disappointed as they don't feature much in Toy Story 4. While I was surprised by their lack of screentime, I can understand why the writers wanted to introduce viewers to new characters. The story mainly focuses on Woody trying to reunite Forky with Bonnie. A subplot involves Buzz trying to find Woody which leads to him ending up on a local fairground. This is where he meets Ducky (Keegan-Michael Key) and Bunny (Jordan Peele), two toys who aren't as cute and cuddly as they appear to be. Forky is a unique new toy who believes he's trash. He provides most of the film's humour and I wouldn't be surprised if younger viewers began making their own Forky after watching the film. Another memorable new character is Duke Kaboom (Keanu Reeves), who is a Canadian daredevil toy.

The most impressive aspect of Toy Story 4 is its animation, which has definitely improved since the first film. With each new animated feature, Pixar continues to pride itself as a exceptional studio willing to tell fresh, enriching stories and bring new, invigorating ideas to the forefront — even when those feature familiar, well-established characters. From Toy Story to Toy Story 4, you can see how Pixar has grown significantly as a top-tier animation house. To look at the animation from Toy Story 4 is to see how Pixar has come so far in a little under 30 years time. The animation in Toy Story 4 is some of the best in the company's history, matching Finding Nemo and Wall-E in terms of shot composition, lighting, framing and realistic designs. It's obvious that Pixar has continued to develop its animation skills, with advancing technology allowing them to excel with each new film. The result is a gorgeous-looking animated feature with an emotional heart tug to really bring into focus how far we've come.

While I didn't think Toy Story 4 was necessary as I think its predecessor ended perfectly, I can understand why the filmmakers wanted to create another sequel as the characters are still so beloved, despite it being over two decades since the release of Toy Story. I found this to be a satisfying conclusion to one of the most successful animated franchises. I was also surprised by the ending, which sees Woody leaving Bonnie's toys behind to live a more independent life with Bo. I think I should have seen this ending coming as the film hints at it near the beginning where Bonnie plays with her other toys instead of with Woody. 

Overall, Toy Story 4 features impressive animation, a story that is thoroughly entertaining and is a satisfying conclusion to the franchise.

8/10