Toy Story 4 (2019)
Director: Josh Cooley
Screenwriters: Stephany Folsom, Andrew Stanton
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale
When I learned that Pixar was returning to the Toy Story universe with a fourth installment, I felt both excitement and hesitation. This franchise has been part of my life since I first saw the original Toy Story in 1995. The idea that the toys we loved as children might have secret lives captured imaginations then and helped define Pixar in its early years. By the time Toy Story 3 closed Andy’s chapter in 2010, the emotional finality felt like the perfect farewell: a poignant handover of childhood and a genuinely moving goodbye.
Coming back nine years later, the obvious question is whether another film was necessary. Pixar has a strong track record, and I trust the studio to deliver quality, but the burden of expectation was heavy. Toy Story 4 is, in many ways, a safe and competent continuation: it’s funny, visually dazzling, and occasionally moving. Yet it also struggles to match the emotional resonance and nostalgia that made the earlier films so memorable.
The plot is straightforward and follows a familiar road-trip structure. After Bonnie, the new child owner, creates Forky to cope with her first day of school, Woody takes it upon himself to keep Forky safe even though Forky insists he’s trash, not a toy. When circumstances send Woody and Forky away from Bonnie, they encounter an antique store and a very different life for Bo Peep, who has been living independently since we last saw her. The story doesn’t break new ground, but it moves naturally and centers around Woody’s loyalty and personal growth—an arc that gives the film a clear emotional throughline.
One of the film’s strengths is its new and returning characters. Forky could have been a grating presence, but he serves as a sincere, comic foil whose existential confusion brings out Woody’s protective instincts. New additions like Ducky and Bunny (voiced by Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele) provide genuine laughs and memorable moments. Seeing Bo Peep again gives the story a fresh dynamic and places Woody’s choices at the heart of the narrative.
However, the film’s focus on new and resurrected characters comes at a cost. Many beloved franchise regulars—Buzz, Rex, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, and others—receive much less screen time and development than fans might hope for. Buzz is pushed into a supporting role, and several subplots feel sidelined. That choice makes the movie feel narrower in scope compared to the ensemble-driven balance of earlier entries.
Emotionally, Toy Story 4 lands unevenly. The film delivers a few heartfelt beats, especially in its final moments, but for much of the runtime it lacks the sustained emotional depth that distinguished Toy Story 3. Longtime fans may find themselves wanting a stronger connection to the characters and their history. At the same time, younger viewers and newcomers are likely to enjoy the humor, the adventure, and the bright character work.
Technically, the movie is exemplary. Pixar’s animation continues to be industry-leading: textures, lighting, and small detail work are impeccable. From the subtle scuffs on Buzz’s armor to the delicate threads in Bo Peep’s costume, the visual craftsmanship is extraordinary and one of the film’s most satisfying aspects. Watching how far Pixar’s animation has evolved since 1995 is a reminder of the studio’s lasting impact on animated storytelling.
The film’s thematic core—Woody’s continued search for purpose as the world around him changes—is handled with care. While Toy Story 3 felt like a definitive farewell to one chapter, Toy Story 4 functions more as a coda for the toys themselves, exploring what it means to grow up, to change roles, and to make personal choices. The last line of the film provides a satisfying emotional payoff that helps redeem the movie’s quieter moments.
In summary, Toy Story 4 is not a misstep: it’s entertaining, often funny, and visually stunning. Yet it does not consistently reach the emotional heights that earlier films in the series achieved. Longtime fans may feel slightly shortchanged by the reduced presence of familiar characters and the film’s uneven emotional weight. Still, children will most likely adore this installment, and it offers a heartfelt, well-crafted continuation for Woody and the gang.
Score: 16/24
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