Toy Story 4 (2019)
Director: Josh Cooley
Writers: Stephany Folsom, Andrew Stanton
Actors: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Keanu Reeves
When the teaser for Toy Story 4 came out, the internet went crazy. Just a simple picture of the title with a clouded sky background was enough to get people hyped. Riding off the success of the third film. Pixar was able to prove that it had more to tell with this story, and that it didn’t matter how much time passed. While everyone was cheering, one word and only one word was on my mind “Why?”. I didn’t know why they would dare touch this franchise after that incredible ending of the third installment. Granted when the third film was announced the word “Why?” was also in my head. But it managed to dispel all my fears instantly as the film really had something meaningful to say. With this fourth installment I was nervous, I didn’t know what to make of it but I went in. I laughed and almost cried. But as I was exiting the theater, one word still lingered in my mind.
Why?
The main crux I have with this film is that it does not seem like a “Toy Story” film. It is something completely on its own. More like a Woody film, since it focuses so much on his arc. The reason being the first three films were specifically about the relationships between the toys and their children. There was this huge overarching theme that covered all three films about what a toy means to child as they are growing up. This film however, tackles what it takes to be a toy, in this universe. It is a film exclusively about the toys and not so much the kid. It feels like the owner of the toys in this film is merely used as a plot device, only to move the story forward in the direction of the toys. I think the film has a purpose, because it does ask some meaningful questions, sometimes blatantly, about the philosophy of the toys in Toy Story. What does it take to be a toy? What are their purpose in life? How are they alive? Obviously they don’t go much into detail on these issues, but they manage to make you think which is great. But it still isn’t a Toy Story film in my mind. We barely heard from many of the other toys at all. A couple of snippets here and there, but not much else. The focus was heavily on Woody and how to close his arc coming into the loss of his child Andy. So as I said, the film does have something meaningful to say. To my relief it is not a blatant attempt at making a buck. But it doesn’t feel like a Toy Story film. Maybe a standalone Woody film. But not a Toy Story film.
Other than my qualms with the categorization of this film. The movie as a whole was entertaining. I felt like the film had a bigger emphasis on comedy when compared to the first three films. Which is not a bad thing, but some of the jokes did not land well with me. Other than that the story is engaging. It gets straight to the point and it does not waste time getting into the main action of the film. As this aspect may be a plus, it is also a detriment, as I felt the film felt too short for some reason. Even though it is the same length as the other three films, it did not utilize its time in the best of ways when compared to the others in the franchise. But it did its job and that’s all that was needed I guess. Besides the story and the comedy, as all Toy Story films do, they tug on the heartstrings. And 24 years after the original film, it is still able to make me as an adult almost shed a tear. I don’t know what it is with Pixar movies but they manage to capture that raw human emotion so perfectly. Whether it be personified in toys, fish, or even cars. They just have this way to relate to every single person sitting watching their movies. That is the magic of Pixar and it is one of the main reasons why I am not disappointed in this film. After all these years I am still invested in a toy cowboy and a colorful spaceman, and if that doesn’t deserve praise I don’t know what does.
Although I have been kind of harsh on this film, it comes from a place of passion. I grew up watching the first two movies all the time on the VCR. I owned a Mr.Potato Head that I had for so many years of my life. I loved these toys as if they were my own. That is why I must be critical with the current installment. As a mother would scold her child, she does it out of love and not malice. It is the same with Toy Story. This franchise is dear to my heart and I want it to be one of the best. With all the “pretentious” films that I am told I watch or enjoy. Something as simple as toys going on an adventure can shatter every arthouse film in terms of its raw human emotion. Because not only do these films capture authentic human emotions. They more importantly remind us all what it feels like to be kids. When the world was full of joy and carelessness. We didn’t care about the truth behind the thing we were witnessing. We wanted to believe the magic. And for a brief moment again in this film, I believed the magic. So thank you Pixar for letting me feel that again.
But please for the love of god, just stop at 4.
