It's hard to believe seven years have passed since the release of
TOY STORY 4 (2019).
I sometimes complain about a lack of original ideas in modern cinema, but the newest film in the Disney-Pixar franchise, TOY STORY 5 (2016), presents viewers with the best of both worlds: Characters we love in a quality story on a very timely and original topic.
It's not a retread, but a funny-yet-serious take on modern technology and the fight to protect innocent childhood.
Since as I write this is a new movie, I'll mention at the outset that I'm discussing the plot with a fair amount of detail, so those who wish to see the movie "fresh" may wish to return to read this after seeing the film.
Bonnie (Scarlett Spears) still loves her toys but is shy and having trouble making friends.
Bonnie's well-meaning parents (Lori Alan and Jay Hernandez) get her the Lilypad, a tablet which will allow her to connect with other girls in the neighborhood, in the hope it will help her make friends. Unfortunately the Lilypad only makes matters worse; it not only distracts Bonnie from creative play, it leads to a situation where she's subject to peer pressure and online bullying.
Jessie (Joan Cusack), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), and the gang resolve to help Bonnie and even call in reinforcements in the form of Woody (Tom Hanks), who's been spending his time with Bo Peep (Annie Potts), Duke Kaboom (Keanu Reeves), and others rescuing abandoned toys.
Speaking of reinforcements, there's also a giant shipment of Buzz Lightyear dolls on the way...
The toys are up against a chilling problem which goes beyond Bonnie's issues: They peek in neighborhood windows from a rooftop and see all the children on screens. Is the age of toys over for children everywhere?
I was intrigued when I first heard the movie's theme and think it's a rather significant film which will cause many parents and children to think about where we're all headed with children and devices. TOY STORY movies always have moments connecting with heftier, even darker, dramatic ideas, and what's addressed in this film is something important.
At the same time, it's a very funny film, as all TOY STORY movies are, and the film's 102 minutes pass quickly. Along with the humor, I especially appreciated the cute romance between Buzz and Jessie (who knew?!), and that Jessie has a wonderful moment of closure regarding her first owner, Emily.
I do have a handful of minor quibbles, starting with a complete lack of humorous moments featuring my favorite characters, the "little green men." They're only seen at the edges of toy "crowd" scenes. In fact, most of our old favorites have fairly limited screen time while the story focuses on new "device" characters.
Another issue I have is that the troubled Bonnie simply isn't appealing. Except for brief scenes playing with her toys or, at the end, her new friend Blaze (Mykal-Michelle Harris), Bonnie spends most of the movie sad, pouting, or zoned on her tablet. There's simply not a lot there to like or root for, other than she's a "child in need of help" placeholder we naturally want to see happier. In fairness, I'll mention that a couple younger people I've spoken with about the character were more sympathetic.
My final issue is the way even family movies such as this one time and again default to unpleasant "bathroom humor." In this case the scenes feature a toilet training device voiced by Conan O'Brien. No one, adult or child, needs ugly lowbrow jokes like these.
Sometimes it's easier to cite the small things which didn't work in a good movie, but on the whole it's a well-done film which I enjoyed very much; for the most part it's well-written and thoughtful. The voice acting continues to be superb and heartfelt, particularly by the three leads.
Some characters have new voices due to deaths; Ernie Hudson succeeds Carl Weathers as Combat Carl and Jeff Bergman replaces Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head. Timothy Dalton is still very much with us, but Mr. Pricklepants is now voiced by John Hopkins.
TOY STORY 5 was written and directed by
McKenna Harris and
Andrew Stanton.
The movie is rated PG. A trailer is here.
Previously: TOY STORY (1995), TOY STORY 2 (1999), TOY STORY 3 (2010), TOY STORY 4 (2019).
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