2019 | Dir. Josh Cooley | 100 Minutes
"He's not lost, not anymore."
During a family road trip, Woody embarks on a perilous mission to rescue Bonnie's new favorite toy and encounters an old friend experiencing life beyond his inherent sense of unwavering duty.
Full of heart and thematically rich, Toy Story 4 maintains the high storytelling standard set by the previous Toy Story films. Instead of manufacturing a rudimentary retread, the filmmakers crafted a sobering, though still exceptionally amusing, re-examination of the series' core themes of loyalty, the value of being loved, and the inevitable limits of unconditional love. While Toy Story 3 is a tale of rediscovering love, and accepting its ephemeral nature, the central narrative of Toy Story 4 is concerned with realizing and embracing personal value and agency over seeking validation from love. This deeply emotional journey is taken by stalwart series protagonist Woody.
The twitchy kindergarten craft creation Forky overcomes his urge to return to trash and accepts his importance to Bonnie as her favorite toy when Woody recounts his positive experiences with Andy. Antagonist pull-string doll Gabby Gabby, dedicating her existence to woo one specific child at the expense of anyone who gets in her way, attains a more enlightened perspective when she learns by Woody's example to offer her love to any child in need of it. Having completely let go of the need to be owned and loved by a child, Bo re-enters Woody's life as a self-assured heroic figure, thriving in her status as a lost toy, eager to explore the open world before her, presenting her favorite cowboy with a new and exciting life he had never considered before.
Tom Hanks turns in his finest voice work to date, playing Woody a little warier and a little less excitable. The patient dignified resignation in Hanks' interactions with Tony Hale's manic and naive Forky run in stark contrast to the constant antagonistic frustration prevalent in the early stages of Woody's relationship with Buzz. Treading the line between sweet and sinister, Christina Hendricks is perfect as Gabby Gabby, domineering, menacing, manipulative, vulnerable, and sympathetic all at once. Finally given a true role in the overarching narrative, Annie Potts is an absolute joy as the radically transformed Bo. Subtle choices in Potts' line delivery go a long way to suggest the porcelain figurine has been through a lot over the years so as it's not so hard to believe she is now more action star than love interest.
The movie is also incredibly funny thanks to some sharp writing and its fun cast. A running gag with Tim Allen's Buzz Lightyear literally taking guidance from his inner voice by repeated pushing his own buttons is hysterical. Acclaimed comedy duo Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele are an inspired addition to the cast playing a pair of delusional stuffed animals. With a thematically appropriate (mildly) tragic backstory, Canadian stuntman toy Duke Caboom voiced by Keanu Reeves unequivocally steals the show.
Needless to say, the film is yet another unparalleled visual masterpiece from Pixar's animation geniuses. Despite its relatively smaller scope when compared to other films in the series, the primary antique store and fair grounds locations are full of life and meticulous artistry down to the most minuscule of details. Bo showing Woody her favorite place in the antique shop atop a high shelf with a clear view of the light refracting off all the chandeliers in the room is just one of the many standout moments.
Toy Story 4 is as entertaining and emotionally moving as one can expect from Pixar's top-tier productions. The unexpected magic of this sequel is in how naturally it resumes a journey that had seemingly reached the end of its cycle but, in retrospect, would feel incomplete without this installment. It is essential viewing for fans of the series, fans of the Pixar's brand of high quality animation, and anyone with an appreciation for good storytelling.
POST-CREDITS STINGER
Duke Caboom strikes several poses with the Pixar Animation Studios logo and delivers a long-awaited high-five
JOHN RATZENBERGER AS...
- Hamm the tech-savvy piggy bank
A113
- A vintage 1970s style A113 sign appears in the antique shop
PIXAR INTERCONNECTIVITY
- Numerous items featured in the antique shop reference various Pixar feature films and animated shorts including Tinny from Tin Toy, an Ernesto de la Cruz vinyl record (Coco), a Super 8 copy of Lifted, and a handkerchief with Wally B. stitched into it (Andre and Wally B.) among many others
- Bo's sheep discover the grape soda bottle cap from Up in the playground
- The Pizza Planet truck is tattooed on back of the carnival worker's leg
FRAGMENTS
- Incidentally, another film featuring a malicious child's doll, a remake of Child's Play, premiered the same week as this film
- Another film featuring an even creepier sentient doll, Annabelle Comes Home, premiered the following week
- Series regular Don Rickles passed away while the film was in pre-production; his dialogue for Mr. Potato Head was constructed using archival recordings with permission from his family
- Comedy legends Mel Brooks Carol Burnett, Betty White, and Carl Reiner provide the voices for Bonnie's old and forgotten baby toys residing in her closet
- Keanu Reeves' voice was previously featured with Key and Peele in the action comedy Keanu
SUPPLEMENTAL STUFF
- Video: Toy Story 4 "Teaser Trailer Reaction"
007 CONNECTIONS
- Timothy Dalton (James Bond in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill)
