Twice now we’ve been teased with a Toy Story ending that seemed final. Yet with the release of Toy Story 5, Pixar has proved there’s absolutely no fatigue in this franchise. This adventure sees our beloved toys take on technology, with new smart devices threatening the future of playtime.
This is such a delicate franchise when it comes to appealing to over 30 years of fans. So many kids and adults have grown up with these characters, that putting out a film that’s anything less than fantastic would be a travesty. With Andrew Stanton (writer on every Toy Story film) returning and even taking the reins as director, there was absolutely no cause for concern when it comes to this film hitting the mark… and oh is it exceptional. To start, the new story they’ve woven this film out of is truly brilliant. It’s as heartfelt, adventurous and creative as every entry before it, really cementing the fact that while 1-3 was a perfect trilogy, there’s so much more story to tell in this universe following these characters. This film once again puts the focus on our returning crew of toys under Bonnie’s care, even finding ways to bring back the likes of Woody when it seemed their future was on a different trajectory in Toy Story 4. The writing in that respect; to craft a story that warrants being told and makes sense for every toy to be present, should not be overlooked.
This narrative is importantly not rehashing old plot points and themes; at least not in a way that’s not intended to be a direct callback. Everything from the narrative focus and the surprising protagonist to the themes surrounding tech and soul-consuming screen time is a new addition that makes every beat of this film feel new while also nostalgic. The way this story progresses from the setup to its conclusion is blissfully unpredictable. The premise and initial marketing leads to a number of preconceived ideas about certain characters and potential arcs that you could be quite confident in how they’d progress. But the writers have done a great job of flipping those perceived cliches and predictable moments on their heads, making for a ride that’s surprising and rewarding the whole way through. Sitting at around 1 hour and 40 minutes, it doesn’t feel a second too short, nor too long; it’s fantastically paced and very consistent from start to finish. It jumps back and forth between its two central arcs quite seamlessly and gives every main character their time in the spotlight. There’s not one act, subplot or sequence that feels too slow or out of place; everything is intentional and executed with purpose, which says a lot about how Pixar approaches their films.
One very welcome creative direction within this film is the decision to make Jessie the main character. Woody and Buzz still play a major role in nearly every sequence, but it’s Jessie who is the emotional crux of the film and ties together all of the character arcs. Given the fact that she’s spent the last three films being, essentially, the 3rd in charge, it’s awesome to see what she brings to this story across the heart, humour and adventure elements. While Woody and Buzz didn’t have much of a buddy-cop dynamic in Toy Story 4, they have some stellar interactions throughout this film. From a nostalgic standpoint it was really heartwarming to see Woody and Buzz go on an adventure like the duo they always have been. What I love is that the characters really feel like they’ve aged with the actors as well as us. There’s wisdom in the way Woody, Jessie and Buzz lead the crew and interact with new characters; really selling you on the fact that time has passed in their lives too. Another new-ish element is that this film marks the largest direct presence humans have had in this franchise. Yes, Andy was initially present for part of each Toy Story film, but Bonnie is so much more involved that she’s now a central part of the story. I love that five films into this franchise we’ve unlocked another emotional avenue for the audience to engage with the story.
When it comes to a new-release Pixar film, there are two absolute staples you know you’re going to get; one of those is crisp, beautiful and dynamic animation, and the other is comedy fit for all ages. Firstly, this is the cleanest Toy Story animation we have ever gotten; filled with beautiful scenic shots, vibrant environments and a few specific shots of a horse that look almost indistinguishably real. It paves the way for busier sequences with faster movement; something that only elevates this film. As for the comedy, it’s packed with really fun laughs that reach adults as much as kids. It’s not all silly, slapstick humour either; there’s a great variety of dumb, tongue-in-cheek moments and clever character-specific comedy that hits the mark. This franchise has always found a strong balance of heart and humour, with the ability to switch between the two at the drop of a hat, and that is no difference here. Additionally, one element you know you’re getting specifically with a Toy Story film is a beautiful Randy Newman score. This film in particular uses little flourishes of iconic bits of music from the past films, and weaves them into new compositions. There’s especially a lot of musical cues from Toy Story 2 that tug on those nostalgic heart strings because of how memorable and iconic that adventure is.
Without going into spoiler territory, I love the handling of this film’s villain arcs. The tech elements are integrated quite creatively, and the journeys we’re sent on with the various tech-based characters all subverted my expectations. It would be so easy to do the same villain arcs they’ve used in the past, but the dedication to challenge the formula and do something unique makes this a blast.
Where do I even start with the performances? The film is led by juggernauts across the board who are all brilliant as their respective characters. However it’s only fitting to highlight Joan Cusack first, as she’s the one doing the bulk of the heavy lifting when it comes to the heart and soul of the narrative. She may be 27 years older than when she first brought the character to life, but she hasn’t lost the spark that makes Jessie such a powerful and strong-willed presence. Where to begin with Tom Hanks (Woody) and Tim Allen (Buzz)? The two of them are synonymous with their characters and once again exhibit electric chemistry and charisma. Hanks and Allen both bring a slightly more authoritative performance to their characters in different ways, highlighting the growth of the characters as mentioned earlier. Conan O’Brien is a wonderful new addition as Smarty Pants, bringing his boundless energy to a performance that’s one of the most lively in the movie. Then we have all of the supporting cast, who I won’t go through here, but everyone both new and returning does a great job at bringing their respective characters to life.
In the end, Toy Story 5 has set this franchise up to continue well into the future by exploring new and interesting ideas surrounding the human-toy and toy-tech relationships. This film is fun, hilarious, deeply emotional and overall just beautifully creative in its storytelling. It doesn’t sit there rehashing safe plot points for the sake of appealing to kids and cashing a cheque. It forges ahead in crafting something new and giving these beloved characters development arcs that see them learn and grow even after decades of existing. It’s a step above Toy Story 4, with Andrew Stanton’s creative touch and Joan Cusack’s performance elevating this adventure. Whether you’re a new or veteran Toy Story fan this movie is going to be an absolute delight.
9.2/10
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