Toy Story – Matthew Liedke on Film

REVIEW: Fifth film proves ‘Toy Story’ series still has the magic

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.

REVIEW: Yearning for more from ‘Lightyear’

“Lightyear” may feature rocket ships that can reach incredible heights, but the movie itself can’t manage to get a high rating.

As the film points out at the very start, “Lightyear” is a movie released in the “Toy Story” universe that Andy watched before getting his Buzz Lightyear action figure. The film tells the story of how Lightyear is a space ranger who was part of a mission that went wrong.

The botched mission caused him and several others aboard a massive ship to become stranded on an alien world. To leave the planet, Buzz (Chris Evans) begins testing hyperspace fuel cells in single-man ships to try and find a way to leave the planet, but doing so causes him to go years into the future.

Continue reading “REVIEW: Yearning for more from ‘Lightyear’”

REVIEW: ‘Toy Story 4’ doesn’t fly like predecessors, but still falls with style

I’ll admit, when I first heard a new “Toy Story” was in production, I was skeptical, considering “Toy Story 3” was such a solid end to the trilogy. Fortunately, Pixar did some solid work with this fourth feature.

The latest film picks up seemingly not too long after the end of part three. The original gang, for example, have adapted pretty well to life with Bonnie’s other toys. That is, except for Woody (Tom Hanks). Woody appears to be involved less and less in times of play, and as a result, is getting little anxious.

However, when Bonnie creates a new toy from some materials, mainly a spork, named Forky (Tony Hale), Woody finds some purpose. Forky appears to be confused, thinking himself more akin to trash than a toy, but Woody is set on protecting him and keeping him around, as Forky has become Bonnie’s favorite. The work gets more difficult, though, when during a family trip, Forky escapes in a small town near a carnival. Woody sets off on an adventure immediately to save Forky, and fortunately, he gets some help from the long lost Bo Peep (Annie Potts).

Continue reading “REVIEW: ‘Toy Story 4’ doesn’t fly like predecessors, but still falls with style”