Toy Story 4: Review

I’ll say it, and I don’t think it’s even that controversial an opinion – the Toy Story films are one of the best trilogies in cinema. But then, given how brilliant the films are, and how perfectly Toy Story 3 ended, did we really need a fourth instalment? I was very excited for Toy Story 4, but I was also incredibly apprehensive that it might prove an unnecessary cash-grab – having seen it, I’m delighted to report that I couldn’t have been more wrong. Toy Story 4 is a wonderful movie, full of heart and humour.

Woody (Tom Hanks) and his gang are settled in with Bonnie, but she keeps leaving him in the closet. Overwhelmed at her kindergarten orientation, Bonnie creates a new toy from a spork and names it Forky (Tony Hale). Forky is determined to wind up in the trash and Woody takes it upon himself to watch him and keep him safe for Bonnie. But when the gang head off on a road trip and Forky escapes, Woody is forced into a detour that leads him to an antique shop, a reunion with his former friend Bo Peep (Annie Potts) and a potential revaluation of exactly what it means to be a toy.

Toy Story 4 is the most emotionally mature of the films

If the end of that summary sounds deep, that’s because it really is at points – Toy Story 4 is the most emotionally mature of the films, with its focus on Woody grounding the story despite some fantastic set-pieces. Hanks’ voice work is astounding, and he imbues Woody with an inner turmoil that’ll really hit hard. If you’ve any emotional investment in these films, expect to weep (I must have cried three or four times, particularly at the end – if you think you’ve been emotionally destroyed by a Toy Story film before, you’ve seen nothing yet).

That said, this movie is also the funniest of the four, with a lot of fantastic lines that really hit their mark. Buzz (Tim Allen) and his side-quest draw particularly humorous moments, as do a number of the new characters. Keanu Reeves brings a manic energy as Canadian stunt-driver toy Duke Caboom (‘Yes we Canada!’), Ally Maki is adorable as tiny toy Officer Giggles McDimples, and Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key are reunited as a pair of plush toys with a lot of attitude. All your old favourites return too, and we even have a new villain with a sad backstory (as well as some terrifying ventriloquist sidekicks).

The world of Toy Story 4 is a treat for your eyes

Everything in this film comes together beautifully to produce what will likely be the best film of the year. It seems almost mandatory to say it of Pixar films, but the movie is absolutely stunning, with animation as brilliant as you’ll ever see. The opening scene, a rescue mission during a rainstorm, almost feels like the studio is showing off, but the rest of the movie is equally visually masterful. From the bright colours of the fair to the claustrophobic and terrifying spaces of the antiques shop, the world of Toy Story 4 is a treat for your eyes.

And, given that Randy Newman has returned to provide the score, it goes without saying that it’s a treat for your ears too. Newman’s score is layered, playing on some familiar themes, but it’s also very much its own beast, and the new music is beautiful. Newman also provides two new songs – a very catchy gospel number sung to Forky that’ll stay in your head for days, and a country number, a wonderful Woody song that you’d be mad not to stay through the credits for.

Everything in this film comes together beautifully to produce what will likely be the best film of the year

Given how perfect the initial trilogy is, there was always a risk that Toy Story 4 could have proved unnecessary. But Pixar know these characters and the emotions that drive them, and so they’ve produced yet another beautiful film. Expect to laugh and cry, and be blown away by a film that was clearly made with and contains so much love. So long as this franchise exists, you’ll always have a friend in it.