When a film series gets to this many sequels, it’s not uncommon for quality to decline. “Toy Story,” though, just keeps beating the odds.
The latest film in Pixar’s longest running series, both by date and movie count, takes place a couple years after the events of the fourth picture. Bonnie (Scarlett Spears) is a bit older now, but still plays with the usual group of toys, sans Woody (Tom Hanks). That is until she is gifted a tablet by her parents, and enters the digital age.
The impact is immediate, as all of Bonnie’s attention is taken up by the frog themed Lilypad, voiced by Greta Lee. Now neglected, the toys, led by Jessie (Joan Cusack), begin an effort to be played with again. In the process, Jessie is connected with aspects of her past, while coming to understand how toys might still be relevant in the future.
When a fourth “Toy Story” movie was announced after the third installment left things off in great fashion, it was easy for one to be skeptical. Then that movie came out and it was rather good. When a fifth was announced, it was much the same story, as skepticism again creeped in regarding how well the studio could manage to put together a fifth quality movie.
That’s just what Pixar did with “Toy Story 5,” though. Andrew Stanton, who penned the previous four movies, both wrote and directed this film, in collaboration with Kenna Harris. Together, they crafted a flick that delivered the same loveable charms the series is known for while offering new ideas and different story beats than seen before.
Notably, the film does two things unique for the series. First, Stanton and the creative team realized, and honored, the fact that Woody’s story was finished in the fourth movie. Therefore, he isn’t the central figure as he was in previous entries. Instead, he’s in a position where he’s not in the spotlight, but not sidelined either. Instead, he’s in a solid supporting place.
It was impressive how well the flick incorporated him into the movie, while shifting the protagonist role successfully to Jessie, who has her own character arc fleshed out to fruition this time. It’s an emotional journey for the cowgirl, with the adventure and humor associated with “Toy Story,” but through a different lens.
The second piece setting “5” apart is its expanded focus on the main child connected to the toys. In the past four pictures, the main child has acted more as a catalyst than a fully developed character. That’s not to say either Andy or Bonnie were lacking in actual character themselves, but they were rarely the true focal point, more often existing as a beam in the narrative infrastructure.
In this movie, Stanton changes things up. We get more insight into Bonnie’s life, as she tries to make friends and navigate the age where one starts going out more into the world for school and clubs. The movie takes great care in this aspect, showing how it can be a difficult step for some kids, and the impact technology has for parents raising children today.
This approach, as well as introducing audiences to another creative girl similar to Bonnie, provides an interesting, heartfelt dynamic not really seen before with the series. It’s a refreshing element that adds to the depth of its subject matter and touches on the importance of a child’s imagination.
Credit also has to go to Stanton and the crew for how it handled the subject of technology overall. One has to imagine the filmmakers brought in consultants with a background in children’s mental health, as well as those with expertise in how to parent in the age of modern technology.
The approach taken with the Lilypad character, and technology as a whole in the movie, is intelligent and nuanced, with clear dedication to getting it right. Lilypad and the rest of technology in the film is, rightfully, shown to have some troubling impacts on the kids.
It becomes a main focus of many childrens’ lives, including Bonnie’s, to the point where they may miss what’s going on around them. Additionally, it shows how even though tech gives the opportunity to connect with others and make friends, it also allows for a lack of real socialization and feelings getting hurt.
At the same time, the movie isn’t just a big banner saying all technology is bad. The film goes to lengths in showing how technology can still be incorporated in kids’ lives to have a positive impact. The whole thing is handled remarkably well, both in terms of storytelling and commentary.
It’s also worth praising how easily the voice cast slips back into these characters and continues giving them bright personalities, especially Joan Cusack with Jessie. Beyond that, newcomers Greta Lee and Conan O’Brien are good additions with their respective characters, and the voice cast for the humans also do good work.
There is a side plot including a legion of new Buzz Lightyear toys and it’s mostly played for laughs. It does increase the runtime a little bit over what it maybe should have been, and takes away some attention from old favorites in the original crew. However, it’s overall a fine, breezy addition to give some levity.
“Toy Story 5” doesn’t quite have as tight a plot as the original trilogy, and it would have been nice to spend more time with older characters. However, the film excels in many other ways, making those complaints become small. There’s a lot working here in the characters, themes, humor and story, on top of the new aspects and fine-looking animation expected from Pixar. 4.75 out of 5.
Photos courtesy Disney and Pixar.
