Toy Story 4: Superfluous but Surprising.

Forky and Woody

Toy Story is the one that started it all for Pixar. It gave the company its identity, and revolutionized animation as the first movie to fully utilize computer generated imagery. Toy Story 2, being Pixar's third movie and first sequel while still in its infancy, exceeded expectations as being better than the original. At the peak of its prime, Toy Story 3 proved yet again that Pixar could do this franchise no wrong as it gave the story a beautiful resolution. Since then, Woody and the gang have appeared in various shorts and TV specials with no plans of returning for another feature film....or so we thought.

The gang back together, sort of. 

Toy Story 4 have Andy's toys now as Bonnie's toys, enjoying their new life of being played with again except for Woody (Tom Hanks). Always used to being the favorite and leader of the group, Woody spends most of the time left the closet collecting dust bunnies. Bonnie meanwhile makes a new friend in the form of a spork who she names Forky (Tony Hale) complete with glued googly-eyes and Popsicle sticks for feet. Woody takes it upon himself to look after Bonnie's new favorite toy as it has a habit running to the nearest garbage bin; the poor utensil still views himself as trash and not a toy.

Meeting Gabby Gabby

During a road trip, Woody and Forky get separated from the group and end up at an antique store and encounter Gabby Gabby (Christina Applegate) and her quartet of ventriloquist dummies who make Annabelle and Slappy look like Barbie and Ken dolls. After making a break for it, Woody is reunited with Bo Beep (Annie Potts), now a lost toy doing well on her own (while briefly mentioned in the third film, a heartbreaking flashback further explains her absence).

Pixar sequels have had adequate results. Not as great as the original but plenty to admire that its good enough (Incredibles 2, Finding Dory, and the Cars trilogy) The Toy Story trilogy stood as the main exception. When a fourth movie was announced, I was hesitant to say the least especially since the third film's beautiful ending. Seeing the trailers, posters and now the movie, I can't deny that it was wonderful to see these characters again with Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and the rest of the cast reprising their iconic roles including Annie Potts as Bo Peep, Her screen time with Woody is a definite highlight as the two make for an adorable couple.

Reunited with Bo Peep and meeting her friend Giggle McDimples. 

It unfortunately puts the much of the veteran characters in the background, which is a shame since the trilogy worked really well as an ensemble piece giving everyone a chance to shine. When it comes to the motives of several characters, its not strongly presented with that emotional pull but still carries that Pixar spark though on repeated viewings though, I can't help but wonder why one character goes with some questionable tactics to reach a certain goal. As much as I enjoyed the movie I couldn't help but think back on that ending to Toy Story 3 and how this film feels like a betrayal. There is a scene in this movie where a child picks up a toy with a joyful look on their face only to shrug it off and discard the toy. The kid didn't do it out of spite but you can't help but feel sorry for the poor toy. That's this movie. No ill-intent and but you can't help but feel hurt by it.

A rough welcome with Ducky and Bunny.

The movie does excel in other areas like adding further closure to a story that in hindsight wasn't needed but executes it rather well that I was in tears by the end. A twist happens at the start of the third act and the animation looking more photo realistic than ever like in The Good Dinosaur you swear live-action shots were used. The new cast of characters are a welcome addition from a scene-stealing Keanu Reeves as Duke Kaboom, Ally Maki as Giggle McDimples and comedy duo Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele as plush buddies Ducky and Bunny.

"KA-BOOM!"

Toy Story 4 may not be as good as its predecessors but its a stronger Pixar sequel compared to the studio's non-Toy Story tales. Be sure to sit through the entire end-credits for some surprises and a touching tribute to Don Rickles, the voice of Mr. Potato Head who passed away in 2017. While he didn't record any new dialogue for the movie the people at Pixar do what they did with Paul Newman in Cars 3, and use unused archives to have him voice his character one last time.

Final Verdict: B