Toy Story 4 - Review
Director: Josh Cooley
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Christina Hendricks, Keanu Reeves
The final scene in Toy Story 3 of Andy giving his childhood toys to young Bonnie and departing for college suggested the conclusion of the franchise with a neat trilogy that promised a life of fulfilment ahead of Woody, Buzz, Jessie and co. But the creative (and no doubt business) minds at Disney have eyed an opportunity to continue their story and reintroduce some old favourites and create new ones along the way.
Now belonging to Bonnie, Woody (Hanks) struggles to adjust to his new life where he is no longer the favourite toy. During a road trip that sees Woody doing all he can to keep new arrival Forky (Hale) safe, the cowboy unexpectedly reunites with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (Potts). Their time together forces Woody to consider the life he truly wants as a toy and whether he can find that with Bonnie, Buzz (Allen) and the gang.
Times and circumstances have changed for the beloved gang since becoming Bonnie's toys, but Woody seems to be the only one straining to adjust. He is continually excluded from playtime and watches through the closet shutters as his friends experience all the fun. Woody's anxieties are exacerbated when Bonnie makes a new toy at kindergarten out of arts and crafts - a spork called Forky (Hale) - that quickly becomes her new favourite plaything. However, Forky insists that he is a piece of trash and subsequently belongs there and Woody tirelessly dedicates himself to convincing him otherwise. Forky serves not only as an instigator of the entire journey but also as a manifestation of Woody's deepest concerns - Forky is trash who fights against being a toy whereas Woody is a toy who so desperately doesn't want to become trash.
Whilst the original collection of toys all feature, this film belongs to Woody and the likes of Jessie, the Potato Heads and Rex barely get a look in and are relegated to sideline character status. Their exposure (or lack of) is an unfortunate casualty of the narrative that separates Woody from them as he pursues runaway Forky and undergoes an emotional journey that reflects his physical one. His reunion with Bo Peep and acquainting with newcomers to the Toy Story cannon Ducky & Bunny (Key and Peele), Duke Caboom (Reeves) and Gabby Gabby (Hendricks) leads to an identity crisis for the character and his insecurities are reflected in the new toys that he meets on his adventure, who are all similarly wanting to be loved.
Perhaps the most thematically heavy instalment of the franchise, Toy Story 4 never neglects to serve humour and action-packed sequences. The toys once again find themselves out of the comfort zone of Bonnie's room and thrust into new locations as the family set off on an RV road trip. Forky's escape leads him and Woody to a fairground and an antique store, and the new settings highlight the advancements in animation since the series' inception back in 1995. In the hands of the innovative animators, these characters and locations come alive, making all of the emotions that we experience feel more tangible.
A poignant finale to one of cinema's greatest franchises, Toy Story 4 possesses the warmth, wit, action and emotion to satisfy the dedicated fans, young and old, it has accumulated across nearly 25 years.
EB
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Christina Hendricks, Keanu Reeves
The final scene in Toy Story 3 of Andy giving his childhood toys to young Bonnie and departing for college suggested the conclusion of the franchise with a neat trilogy that promised a life of fulfilment ahead of Woody, Buzz, Jessie and co. But the creative (and no doubt business) minds at Disney have eyed an opportunity to continue their story and reintroduce some old favourites and create new ones along the way.Now belonging to Bonnie, Woody (Hanks) struggles to adjust to his new life where he is no longer the favourite toy. During a road trip that sees Woody doing all he can to keep new arrival Forky (Hale) safe, the cowboy unexpectedly reunites with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (Potts). Their time together forces Woody to consider the life he truly wants as a toy and whether he can find that with Bonnie, Buzz (Allen) and the gang.
Times and circumstances have changed for the beloved gang since becoming Bonnie's toys, but Woody seems to be the only one straining to adjust. He is continually excluded from playtime and watches through the closet shutters as his friends experience all the fun. Woody's anxieties are exacerbated when Bonnie makes a new toy at kindergarten out of arts and crafts - a spork called Forky (Hale) - that quickly becomes her new favourite plaything. However, Forky insists that he is a piece of trash and subsequently belongs there and Woody tirelessly dedicates himself to convincing him otherwise. Forky serves not only as an instigator of the entire journey but also as a manifestation of Woody's deepest concerns - Forky is trash who fights against being a toy whereas Woody is a toy who so desperately doesn't want to become trash.
Whilst the original collection of toys all feature, this film belongs to Woody and the likes of Jessie, the Potato Heads and Rex barely get a look in and are relegated to sideline character status. Their exposure (or lack of) is an unfortunate casualty of the narrative that separates Woody from them as he pursues runaway Forky and undergoes an emotional journey that reflects his physical one. His reunion with Bo Peep and acquainting with newcomers to the Toy Story cannon Ducky & Bunny (Key and Peele), Duke Caboom (Reeves) and Gabby Gabby (Hendricks) leads to an identity crisis for the character and his insecurities are reflected in the new toys that he meets on his adventure, who are all similarly wanting to be loved.
Perhaps the most thematically heavy instalment of the franchise, Toy Story 4 never neglects to serve humour and action-packed sequences. The toys once again find themselves out of the comfort zone of Bonnie's room and thrust into new locations as the family set off on an RV road trip. Forky's escape leads him and Woody to a fairground and an antique store, and the new settings highlight the advancements in animation since the series' inception back in 1995. In the hands of the innovative animators, these characters and locations come alive, making all of the emotions that we experience feel more tangible.
A poignant finale to one of cinema's greatest franchises, Toy Story 4 possesses the warmth, wit, action and emotion to satisfy the dedicated fans, young and old, it has accumulated across nearly 25 years.
EB
Comments
Post a Comment