By Luke Durling
*Spoiler-free review*
As a largely grown up man, I must admit that I wasn’t expecting much from Toy Story 5. Having seen what slightly mediocre tone 4 had established, I thought this would be a continuation of that slow decline.While that will perhaps always be in the back of my mind, especially growing up with the OG trilogy and Andy being the end-all-owner, I am extremely pleased to say that this installment firmly establishes Bonnie as the main owner in the best possible light. Not only that, but it does it by going back to the roots; character and play.
Primarily focused on Jessie, the character really lifts up the story in subtle and profound ways. Joan Cusack’s cowgirl helms a new chapter in play so eloquently and naturally, you can almost completely ignore and forgive the slight discrepancies Pixar had to make in order for this movie to work as well as it does. Jessie does feel like the most obvious choice for Bonnie’s “sheriff” role in Woody’s(Tom Hanks) absence. It’s not simply a “girl power’ rationale either. Throughout the film, Bonnie’s journey almost perfectly complements Jessie’s personal struggles, especially when it leads her to her old owner Emily’s house, but with new residents.
Coupled with Jessie’s story is the theme that has been there since the beginning: play. Toy Story 5 does play right again with the colorful and imaginative play scenes that 4 distinctly lacked. While I understand why the last entry didn’t, it feels so good to have the whimsical wonder of playtime be the focus again. A perfect juxtaposition to the tech plot line that never feels overtly preachy due to several factors that make It a ton deeper than expected. It’s not just toys versus tech, it’s all about connections, and most importantly how play connects us.
The other breakout star of the film is Conan O’Brian’s Smarty Pants, a potty training aide that’s so fleshed out it’s astounding. O’Brian genuinely makes toilet humor cool by being both incredibly charismatic and just subtle enough where you or your child might not understand it until you think about it. Partnered with Atlas(Craig Robinson) and Snappy(Shelby Rabara), the “Double A-Team” provides loads of laughter as well as a look at the softer side of tech, something the antagonism of Lilypad (Greta Lee) struggles with. A much richer comic relief group than Bunny and Ducky was, nothing against Keegan Michael-Key and Jordan Peele.
But let’s get to my favorite Space Ranger. I’m extremely happy to announce that Buzz Lightyear(Tim Allen) has recovered from his bout of daftness in 4 and is back in full force here. However, there’s more, a lot more. The movie begins with a multitude of “Hi-Tech” Lightyears- something that I would totally buy😄- stranded in a crate spill searching for Star Command by any means necessary. Also, the dynamic between a returning Woody and a changed “deputy” Buzz is as wonderful as it was since the beginning. Hanks and Allen spar and quip with one another the way old friends do. While the classic cowboy is a bit underused, Woody still has a great deal to give across the board, despite his balding head and aging body. Every toy gets at least a few moments of revelry, making the most of an expanded universe that doesn’t feel bloated.
All in all, Toy Story 5 hits all the right notes and more, crafting a film that feels as classic as it is fresh. Co-directors and writers McKenna Harris and Andrew Stanton clearly knew what they were doing . Pixar has once again channeled the beauty of friends and play to make its’ flagship franchise better than ever. It no longer is just “our” Toy Story, it’s a Toy Story for our future generations. I think that’s a beautiful thing.
FINAL GRADE: A
Also, to all those who are wondering, the popcorn bucket looks phenomenal, but is entirely impractical. Cool, but I thought it would be useable. It is not. Looks great. 😄
Calm and Cultured 