If you read my reviews with any regularity, it’s no secret I have a young daughter who I take to the movies regularly. My daughter, (who just turned five) usually gives the film a predictive rating of ten stars out of five. While I’m a bit more discerning, I do my best to cultivate her interests. When the feature starts, I pay close attention to her reactions. I make note of how often she laughs or shows signs of interests, as well as how many times she asks, “when is the movie going to be over?”
If I were to judge a film based strictly on these criteria alone, Toy Story 4 would come closer than any other movie we’ve seen to that unattainable ten out of five-star prediction she often gives. Of course, there’s more to it than how many times a five-year-old rolls her eyes, but her smiles, laughter, and continued piqued interest are certainly worth noting. (For the record, my daughter’s favorite movies of all time are Isle of Dogs and Black Panther. Make of that what you will.)
Toy Story 4 is one of those rare films that are marketed for children but have the potential for mass appeal to adults as well. The little ones might not understand the existential crisis of Forky or the tragedy of Gabby Gabby, but they don’t have to. These themes are there for us as parents or adults to recognize and ponder. That there are talking toys may be enough for the kids, but we need more – and we get it. With a host of new ideas and new characters, Toy Story 4 is the best the franchise has to offer and a near-perfect way to say goodbye to a group of characters that have been with us for over 20 years.
That’s not to say that there isn’t plenty for kids to latch onto. Toy Story 4 doesn’t miss a beat. It walks the line between action, laughs, and emotion better than most films, regardless of the target audience. It even manages some well-deserved scares (Chucky and Anabelle step aside – Gabby Gabby and her dummy sidekicks have arrived). Our guide is, of course, Woody (Tom Hanks) but while he begins the film as the same old character, he ends it with a new outlook on life and new motivations. He’s a new man if you will. This is a remarkable twist. Over the years Woody has surely seen his share of conflict, but he’s never really grown as a character. He’s adjusted to new circumstances, sure, but he’s never been allowed to choose his path. He’s always been at the mercy of circumstance and tied to his own self-imposed set of rules. Not anymore.
Along for the ride are some of the best characters the franchise has introduced so far. From the low self-esteem of Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves), the fierce independence of Bo Peep (Annie Potts), the hot-headed optimism of Giggle McDimples (Ally Maki), the overactive and somewhat terrifying imaginations of Ducky and Bunny (Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele), to the psychotic tendencies of Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks), Toy Story 4 delivers the most well-rounded group since the series introduction in 1997. There’s no wasted space. Considering this is the darkest film of the four, even the existential dread of Forky (Toby Hale) fits neatly into the story.
Toy Story 4, like the others, is about finding your purpose in life. But, unlike the others, this time around that purpose is chosen, not ordained. Our well-loved characters (and new favorites) maximize this purpose through numerous challenges that test their confidence, bravery, and will power in a series of action pieces and heartfelt introspection that are as rewarding as they are exciting. In the end, everyone ends up where they should be, and where they want to be.
James is a writer, skateboarder, record collector, wrestling nerd, and tabletop gamer living with his family in Asheville, North Carolina. He is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association, the North Carolina Film Critics Association, and contributes to The Daily Orca, Razorcake Magazine, Mountain Xpress, and Asheville Movies.