©2019 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
Title: ‘Toy Story 4’
Director: Josh Cooley (the 2015 short, ‘Riley’s First Date?’)
Featuring the voices of: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Madeleine McGraw, Christina Hendricks, Jordan Peele, Keanu Reeves, Jay Hernandez, Joan Cusack, Bonnie Hunt, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, June Squibb and Jack McGraw
Learning to embrace every situation, no matter how harrowing it may initially appear to be, will have a lasting impact on the trajectory of the life of all people-and toys. That’s certainly the case for the characters in ‘Toy Story 4,’ the captivating and innovative new installment of Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures‘ acclaimed animated series. The third sequel in the Academy Award-winning family comedy franchise chronicle how after some of America’s most beloved toys over the last quarter century, including Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Bo Peep, find themselves far from home, their eye-opening road trip takes them to unexpected physical and emotional places. The sentimental and adventurous odyssey that unfolds in ‘Toy Story 4,’ which marks the feature film directorial debut of Josh Cooley, is set to be unleashed when the third follow-up is distributed in theaters tomorrow.
‘Toy Story 4‘ follows Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), who has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy (voice of Jack McGraw) or his new owner, Bonnie (voice of Madeleine McGraw). 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 (voice of Annie Potts). After years of being on her own, Bo Peep’s adventurous spirit and life on the road have led her to shed her delicate porcelain exterior. As Woody and Bo Peep 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. The newly reunited Woody and Bo Peep must fight back against a common new enemy, Gabby Gabby (voice of Christina Hendricks), who has set her sights on using Andy’s love of, and connection with, his kid to her advantage to getting a kid of her own.
‘Toy Story 4′ is a powerful and noteworthy conclusion to the animated family series, as it emotionally and comically completes its predecessors’ exploration into the importance of accepting an ever-changing reality. The movie stunningly maintains the franchise’s connection to reality, including dealing with successes and disappointments, and juggling confidence and insecurity, which once again allows viewers to see themselves in the toys. Woody, a simple cloth-limbed pull-string cowboy on the surface, is once again given a complex array of emotions. The sequel sentimentally emphasizes how Woody has long put loyalty to his kid, whether it was Andy as he grew up before leaving for college, or now Bonnie, who’s preparing to start kindergarten.
But just like how Bonnie is apprehensive about starting school, her toy must contend with the same difficult transition, as well as the realization that he may no longer have a place in his kid’s life. Despite his parental nature towards his kids, Woody begins to understand that times really are changing, and he may no longer need to extensively guide their journey in the world.
Bo Peep also proves what an enthralling and distinct character she is throughout the fourth entry in the long-running series. After Andy’s younger sister was finished playing with Bo Peep years ago, the strong female lead has become so independent from her changing circumstances that she would make the best of her situation and stand on her own two porcelain feet.
Since Bo Peep is ever-changing in her emotional demeanor and outlook on life, as well as her physical journey, the comedy’s animators rightly decided not to give her a static costume. The latest technology allowed the animators to make some modifications that weren’t previously possible in the franchise’s earlier installments, including telltale characteristics of porcelain figurines.
To accurately reflect Bo Peep’s changing personality and outlook on life, story artist Carrie Hobson and her fellow animators decided to give the character the freedom of not always wearing her signature dress, while also maintaining her trademark beauty and femininity. So the art team turned Bo Peep’s skirt into a cape, so that she can serve as a superhero or a wizard for a kid. Bo Peep is a powerful reflection of toys remaining committed to serving the kids who play with them, without losing their independence or progressive views on the ever-changing world.
Learning to accept every situation, no matter how frightening it may initially appear to be, will have a lifelong effect on the trajectory of all people-and toys. That’s certainly the case for the characters in the charming and innovative new installment of Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures‘ acclaimed animated series, ‘Toy Story.’ The third follow-up in the family comedy franchise chronicle how after some of America’s most beloved toys over the last quarter century, including Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Bo Peep, find themselves far from home, their eye-opening road trip takes them to unexpected physical and emotional places.
Technical: A
Acting: B+
Story: A-
Overall: A-
