A few months ago, I learned that my nephews, Link and Lenny, were not too excited about seeing the newest Toy Story film.
Thankfully, they knew they had no choice (because their mom has the final say), but I was still hurt to know my nephews did not have a strong desire to see the film. Obviously, they did not grow up with the films as my generation did, so they could not have had as much of a connection. Yet, even with one of the most recognizable cast of characters in cinematic history live-action or animated), the series is starting to show some wear and tear.
When the premise of Toy Story 5 was introduced in production meetings, it would seem inevitable that it would be made: when this world would be introduced to screens. Eight-year-old Bonnie (Scarlett Spears) is soon given such a screen, called a Lilypad, when it is discovered by her parents that she has a hard time making friends. This clearly worries Jesse (Joan Cusack), who has now taken over as the leader of the toys with Buzz (Tim Allen) as her second in command (and, Buzz hopes, something even more). She soon calls in Woody (Tom Hanks), left to help Bo Peep (Annie Potts) find abandoned toys after the events of the last film.
I’m not a parent, but it does not take one to notice how kids (and some adults) are spending too much time on screens. This is shown plainly on screen with Lilypad (voiced by Greta Lee), who clearly thinks the toys are of a past time, and will do anything she can (which is a whole lot) to make sure Bonnie is happy.
While a majority of the franchise has been devoted to the relationship of Woody and Buzz, the film really belongs to Jesse. We get reminders of the trauma she suffered with her first owner, Emily (as shown in the second film in a sequence that was able to mix beauty and tragedy so eloquently), and this film ends up bringing her back to face some of those past traumas. There is closure to that arc that I won’t spoil, but I will say that, while I did not tear up, I can’t fault anyone who did.
As is always the case with every Disney/Pixar film, there are new characters to discover. One of them is a girl named Blaze (Mykal-Michelle Harris), a girl with the same type of characteristics as Bonnie (though a year or so older), with a fascination with Horses. The other, a toy, is called Smarty Pants. This is a toy that helps with potty training, and is wonderfully voiced by Conan O’ Brian.
While watching, it felt like this could have been 2 – 3 separate short films put together. Take, for example, how the film starts out. A container is washed ashore, filled with dozens of Buzz Lightyear toys. Part of this arc does a play off of an old Disney classic (i.e., one of the first the company made), and while I got the reference, I was not sure the kids in the audience would for a film made over eight decades ago (at least one of the Buzz’s had a happy ending).
Parents, it is a Toy Story film, so the kids will be fine. It should be noted, however, that the film is not as humorous as it is deep.
Even with the familiar characters and director/ veteran Pixar alumn Andrew Stanton, the franchise that has taken us to infinity and beyond has reached the “beyond”. I was so on the fence for this fifth entry that I had to resort to the rule in baseball: the tie goes to the runner. The film is already past 1.5 million domestically, and will surely grow higher, making a sixth film nearly guaranteed.
Here’s hoping the batteries don’t run out by then.
Overall:
Nothing else to say 