Toy Story 4 arrived in theaters at a point where we truly thought all was lost. Or rather, I thought all was lost. And by “all” I mean the summer blockbuster season, which tells you a whole lot about my priorities.
Avengers: Endgame had come and gone, leaving a Tony-sized hole in my heart. After that point, things looked a bit dire. If trends held true, we were poised to have a whole three months filled with half-hearted reboots/sequels that were just not going to cut it. For evidence, please review Men in Black: International, Aladdin, and Dark Phoenix, then get back to me with comments on the state of your soul.
After Toy Story 3 it was fair to assume that with the story of Andy’s childhood wrapped up, we’d heard the last of Woody and friends — and to be honest, I was prepared to be disappointed with the fourth entry, simply because it didn’t need to exist. The story seemed to have been neatly tied up years ago, and Pixar’s recent track record with unrequested sequels did not inspire confidence. (Does anyone remember Cars 3 or Monsters University? No? Good for you.)
From its very first minutes, Toy Story 4 knows exactly what I think of it, and is confident that it can change my mind. It’s no great mystery that having a great story to tell will quell any lingering doubts from the viewer, and on that front, this movie delivers. Like the best of Pixar’s efforts, it invites us to truly view the world through its improbable characters in a more existential way than we’re probably ready for.
In the world of Toy Story 4, we learn what a toy feels when it’s being played with by a child. To them, it’s a transcendent experience that eclipses all others. It defines their very sense of self. It is, after all, their purpose, is it not? We also learn what happens when a child makes a toy out of trash. To an adult, this is very much a non-event, but it’s not so for the toy, and certainly not for the child. The very idea invites rumination about the concept of self. What if what you think you are, is not what you are? Or, what if you began as one thing, but now find yourself transformed into an unexpected other?
Through this examination, we’re also invited to consider many other scenarios in the existence of a toy. For instance, what happens when a toy is defective right out of the box? A doll named Gabby Gabby (voiced by Christina Hendricks) fills us in. Or, what if, like Woody (voiced once again by Tom Hanks), all you know in life is being a favorite toy? What happens when you’re not? Yep, you know it. It’s an express trip through feeladelphia. What is the context and the associated biases that come with being a lost toy? Bo Peep’s return (voiced by Annie Potts) helps to answer that question. In Toy Story 4, the questions posed by the narrative are more sophisticated than one would initially expect, and yet they’re made that much more compelling by kid-friendly framing. This is truly where Pixar’s storytelling shines, and I truly hope they stay in this lane for good, this time.
As if this weren’t enough, Toy Story 4 is also really damn funny. Nearly every scene that includes Ducky and Bunny (plush toys voiced by Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele) is simply belly-achingly hilarious. There was one particular sequence where I was laughing long after it was over. If anything, you should go see this movie just so that you’ll get all of the “plush rush” jokes I will be sure to be dropping over the next few months at least. Keanu Reeves also stars as the daredevil action figure, Duke Kaboom, as a way to round out the goofy humor during scenes that may be just slightly too dark in tone younger viewers.
Even if it is late summer, and you need to do some extra research to find a show, I suggest you grab your nearest child companion and check out Pixar’s latest. The door is left ever so slightly ajar for the possibility of a sequel, but to be honest, I don’t see how this entry could be followed up in a way that wouldn’t be a let-down. It is hands down one of the best releases of the year, and it should not be missed.
