For my money, Disney Pixar's Toy Story is one of the finest trilogies to grace cinema. The 1995 original was a groundbreaking moment that changed animation forever; the 1999 sequel expanded its scope and the universe wonderfully; while the 2010 trilogy-caper remains one of the most emotionally, perfectly pitched conclusions we may have ever seen. And so when confirmation of a fourth instalment came, some worried it could tarnish the unparalleled legacy of a saga dear to so many. Does Toy Story 4 manage to justify its existence within a banner year for Disney, or should the lid have remained tightly on this toy box?
Toy Story 4 picks up two years after its predecessor, with Woody, Buzz and the gang adjusting to their life with a new kid. As Bonnie prepares for kindergarten, the team find themselves on a mission to rescue, Forky, the most important toy to her, who struggles with his new-found purpose. With old faces returning, and a handful of new ones along for the adventure, Toy Story's rich legacy is sustained with a worthwhile and heartwarming sequel that circumvents any pre-conceived fears over its necessity.
Toy Story 4's biggest battle was going to be in justifying itself and while we could have existed without a third sequel, it is a more than welcome extension of the original trilogy that further evolves the series' central themes and characters arcs with thoughtfulness and spirit. The Josh Cooley-directed animation adventure is very much a continuation of the three films, but a more standalone story that operates closer to a romantic-comedy - with a closer focus on Woody and a returning Bo Peep. Some may be disappointed with the likes of Buzz, Jessie and Rex being relegated to supporting characters, but it feels rather apt given the direction of number four.
Once again, Pixar continues to amaze with their gorgeously-detailed, richly-coloured and captivating animation, with some of their finest work ever put to screen captured within a first act flashback: a staggering accomplishment which quickly eases any scepticism. From the bright light fairground, to a dusty, worn antique shop, the various set pieces are so stunningly realised that it successfully immerses you within the world; cinematography in animation is often overlooked, but it's worth noting what an excellent job they do in cultivating the striking visual language and sense of space they achieve, again crucial in the film's exemplary worldbuilding.
Our stellar voice performers are back on fine form once again, with the mighty Tom Hanks leading the way with an emotionally layered and varied performance as the Sherrif. Hanks as Woody is very much Toy Story's heart and soul and they both bear the weight admirably here. Annie Potts returns as Bo Peep and slots back into the franchise with ease, with further warmth and familiarty offered by returning voice performers, including Joan Cusack, Wallace Shawn and John Ratzenberger.
New additions to the cast include Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele as Ducky and Bunny who, while consistently funny and packing a punch of personality, do not feel quite at home in this Pixar film; their brand of humour discordant to that already established within the universe. Tony Hale makes the biggest impact as Forky, a scene-stealing addition to the film, while Keanu Reeves delivers a number of hearty laughs as the amiable Duke Kaboom. Christina Hendricks successfully tempers an overwhelming sweetness with a menace and, later, a pained empathy as Gabby Gabby.
If it comes undone anywhere, it's down to the script. While still featuring the funny humour, profound emotion and thoughtful dialogue we have come to expect, the tale itself doesn't feel quite as tight -- most likely the unfortunate result of an eight-person story. Narrative threads don't coalesce quite as satisfyingly as they have done before and there is a slight clunkiness in moving and uniting the separate strands of the story: while the eventual pay-off is undoubtedly satisfying, with a conclusion both heartbreaking and life-affirming (even if it falls slightly short of Toy Story 3's two emotionally-obliterating defining moments), it's not quite as well-oiled as most Pixar stories. It's a little contrived in its reliance on coincidences, but this is ultimately nit-picking an otherwise impressive accomplishment.
Toy Story 4 captures the beating heart of this exemplary franchise while successfully evolving it into something new: if the original three instalments were about children's relationships with their parents, Toy Story 4 recalibrates it and explores a parent's response to watching a loved one grow and spread their wings beyond them. It touches on some beautiful themes, delivered through well-written dialogue, perfectly balancing the humour with the plentiful emotional beats; while the screenplay itself sometimes struggles to navigate the various plot strands and set-ups, it's only a minor hitch in an otherwise heartwarming, spirited follow-up that, against the odds, earns its position in one of cinema's greatest franchises.
8.5/10
Summary: Toy Story 4 doesn't tarnish the legacy of its near-faultless trilogy as feared but instead enriches it, wonderfully evolving this series with a heartwarming, spirited and beautifully-animated follow-up that combines humour and emotion as effectively as Pixar's best work.
Toy Story 4's biggest battle was going to be in justifying itself and while we could have existed without a third sequel, it is a more than welcome extension of the original trilogy that further evolves the series' central themes and characters arcs with thoughtfulness and spirit. The Josh Cooley-directed animation adventure is very much a continuation of the three films, but a more standalone story that operates closer to a romantic-comedy - with a closer focus on Woody and a returning Bo Peep. Some may be disappointed with the likes of Buzz, Jessie and Rex being relegated to supporting characters, but it feels rather apt given the direction of number four.
Once again, Pixar continues to amaze with their gorgeously-detailed, richly-coloured and captivating animation, with some of their finest work ever put to screen captured within a first act flashback: a staggering accomplishment which quickly eases any scepticism. From the bright light fairground, to a dusty, worn antique shop, the various set pieces are so stunningly realised that it successfully immerses you within the world; cinematography in animation is often overlooked, but it's worth noting what an excellent job they do in cultivating the striking visual language and sense of space they achieve, again crucial in the film's exemplary worldbuilding.
Our stellar voice performers are back on fine form once again, with the mighty Tom Hanks leading the way with an emotionally layered and varied performance as the Sherrif. Hanks as Woody is very much Toy Story's heart and soul and they both bear the weight admirably here. Annie Potts returns as Bo Peep and slots back into the franchise with ease, with further warmth and familiarty offered by returning voice performers, including Joan Cusack, Wallace Shawn and John Ratzenberger.
New additions to the cast include Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele as Ducky and Bunny who, while consistently funny and packing a punch of personality, do not feel quite at home in this Pixar film; their brand of humour discordant to that already established within the universe. Tony Hale makes the biggest impact as Forky, a scene-stealing addition to the film, while Keanu Reeves delivers a number of hearty laughs as the amiable Duke Kaboom. Christina Hendricks successfully tempers an overwhelming sweetness with a menace and, later, a pained empathy as Gabby Gabby.
If it comes undone anywhere, it's down to the script. While still featuring the funny humour, profound emotion and thoughtful dialogue we have come to expect, the tale itself doesn't feel quite as tight -- most likely the unfortunate result of an eight-person story. Narrative threads don't coalesce quite as satisfyingly as they have done before and there is a slight clunkiness in moving and uniting the separate strands of the story: while the eventual pay-off is undoubtedly satisfying, with a conclusion both heartbreaking and life-affirming (even if it falls slightly short of Toy Story 3's two emotionally-obliterating defining moments), it's not quite as well-oiled as most Pixar stories. It's a little contrived in its reliance on coincidences, but this is ultimately nit-picking an otherwise impressive accomplishment.
Toy Story 4 captures the beating heart of this exemplary franchise while successfully evolving it into something new: if the original three instalments were about children's relationships with their parents, Toy Story 4 recalibrates it and explores a parent's response to watching a loved one grow and spread their wings beyond them. It touches on some beautiful themes, delivered through well-written dialogue, perfectly balancing the humour with the plentiful emotional beats; while the screenplay itself sometimes struggles to navigate the various plot strands and set-ups, it's only a minor hitch in an otherwise heartwarming, spirited follow-up that, against the odds, earns its position in one of cinema's greatest franchises.
8.5/10
Summary: Toy Story 4 doesn't tarnish the legacy of its near-faultless trilogy as feared but instead enriches it, wonderfully evolving this series with a heartwarming, spirited and beautifully-animated follow-up that combines humour and emotion as effectively as Pixar's best work.