Let’s get this out of the way out of the gate. Toy Story 3 was the perfect conclusion to a perfect trilogy. It was. We did not need the series to continue beyond this point, but it has. While the unfairly maligned Toy Story 4 justified its existence with an excellent and worthwhile – albeit bittersweet – story, we have to say the announcement of a part five raised eyebrows and made many of us say, “ok, they are pushing it”. Well, don’t throw those toys out of the pram just yet, because this fifth film in the beloved series not only hits the mark but actually makes the last film even better by its existence.
The story shifts focus onto Jessie (Joan Cusack) who fears that she is losing Bonnie to technology after the arrival of the high-tech Lilypad (Greta Lee). She calls out to Woody (Tom Hanks) for help, who says that this tech invasion is widespread, as more toys are facing abandonment and an uncertain future due to tech invading homes. But is the age of toys truly over? Is playtime dead? Or is Jesse about to find that sometimes what you feel in your gut matters a whole lot more than the latest trends and what online friends say?
Toy Story 4 was far from a monumental failure but make no mistake about it, this fifth film does more than merely justify existing, it enriches what came before and cements a future. Toy Story 5 is arguably the legendary series’ strangest film, and we mean that as a compliment. This film is not what we expected but offers up a thought-provoking and endearing animated adventure that entices with its themes of a screen-consumed technology-driven society, and offers heartfelt warmth in its depiction and celebration of our own individuality and uniqueness.
It’s imaginative in its beautifully (and uniquely) animated play sequences that give the film series another extra dream-like edge, funny and snappy in its scripting, and emotional in some of its well-chosen callbacks. This film balances nostalgia with a genuine embracement of moving forward and accepting the new without forsaking the old. It embraces the joys of the past and the gratification of life’s simple joys while not demonising a society that has advanced with its technological reach, instead offering an accepting but cautionary warning of using tech as a replacement for our imagination, experience and development, rather than something that can assist when used correctly and safely.
Relegating Woody to a side role is a choice that could have been detrimental but actually pays off; he still plays a vital role in coming to his friend’s aid, but the film instead chooses to enrich some of its other characters, particularly Jessie and Bullseye. One particular scene strikes hard at Jessie’s story while not resorting to a safe option. Buzz’s role also expands more than last time, with his emotional depth maturing with his age. And, a plethora of fresh characters are allowed to shine alongside age-old franchise regulars, without demeaning them. In fact, this is why the film – and indeed the series – continues to work; it grows, it ages and it does not hide from its passing years but embraces and acknowledges them warmly and with an approving nod.
Like a reconnection with old friends, this film is fun, heartfelt and full of some very pleasant surprises and stories. It’s a story of accepting that the times are a-changin’ and indeed evolving but not accepting that we have to let tech brainwash us with its new age gimmickry.
Toy Story 5 is a worthy addition to Pixar’s enduring and beloved franchise and one of Disney’s best animated offerings in years. We didn’t think Toy Story would still be going all these years later but are glad it is, as it still clearly has much to say and still makes us feel as strongly as it did three decades ago.
Did we need a part 4 or 5? We’ll leave that to you to answer. But this timely and lovely film has much on its mind and in its heart, and might just make many generations of viewers think about taking a moment to look up from the brightly lit screen and appreciate what we have around us and those who are and can be there in our lives.
Oh, and stay for the mid-credits sequence, because it is an all-timer for this writer personally, and goes some way into reversing a true character assassination from Lightyear. Fingers crossed it may be a sign of things to come.
Toy Story 5 is out in UK Cinemas Now.
