[Review originally published in 2019 on Fantasy/Animation]

Since Toy Story (John Lasseter, 1995) hit cinema screens worldwide in November 1995, audiences have witnessed a series of dramatic changes within the animated medium, particularly in Hollywood. Having signed a contract with Pixar Animation Studios in 1991, Disney were initially hesitant to give the very first computer-animated film about a collection of toys the same commercial backing as their traditional cel-animated features. Until, that is, they saw the toys come to life. The Toy Story franchise continues to prove to audiences and critics alike that telling a story for children (and their parents) can entwine serious topics and real-life issues into an adventure family film narrative. The latest (and final) instalment of the successful series, Toy Story 4 (Josh Cooley, 2019) offers audiences accustomed to the characters a new tale of fun escapades, the importance of family and friendship and how to deal with change. Toy Story 4 is exciting, emotional and a satisfying end to the Toy Story franchise, taking the audience on a hilarious fun-filled journey with a creepy twist we aren’t accustomed to judging from the previous films. Although Toy Story 4 may be an unexpected addition to the franchise, offering a new ending for Woody and friends (including Bo Peep), it’s an artistic and heart-warming piece of animated cinema that I am looking forward to watching again and again.

Toy Story 4 finds Woody the Cowboy, Buzz Lightyear and the whole gang from Toy Story 3 (Lee Unkrich, 2010) back with owner Bonnie as she is about to start Kindergarten. Woody finds himself becoming overwhelmed by this seismic shift, whilst outwardly claiming to be experienced in ‘taking care of his kid’, as he remembers the hardships of looking after previous owner Andy. Time has passed since Andy was Bonnie’s age, and the film suggests that maybe Woody just needs to allow for things to change as owners grow up. This is a recurring problem for Woody throughout Toy Story 4, as he navigates his way through the film with some mild peril thrown in for good measure – because what’s a Toy Story film without a chase sequence, or indeed the introduction of a new toy, or even a narrative in which an old toy gets lost and needs to be returned before a fast approaching deadline? Something that Toy Story 4  confronts head on is this idea of change, reflecting on what it means to move on and find where you might fit in in a new situation…

Read the full review here on Fantasy/Animation