When Toy Story 4 was announced, I thought it sounded like a pretty bad idea, and I don't think I'm alone on that. I mean, with how perfect the Toy Story trilogy was (3 in particular was just incredible), it definitely seemed like something that should have been left alone. Yet the closer we got to Toy Story 4, the better it seemed to sound. I mean, the trailers did at least convince me that it could be good, and I'd definitely have been up for one more adventure with Woody and the gang, even if there are a few new faces in there. So, yeah, it actually started to sound like a Pixar sequel that actually feels justified
And you know what? I don't know how, but those alchemists at Pixar have done it again. I should say this right off the bat, Toy Story 4 is not as emotional as the others, not for me anyway. That's actually not a bad thing though, because it actually explores a lot of ideas and settings that the others haven't, which kind of compensates for the general lack of an emotional punch. I'd actually say it's the most idea-heavy film in the series, and the sheer amount of them on display is worth the price of admission alone. Toy Story will always be a milestone of cinema, Toy Story 2 tells the best story with these characters, and Toy Story 3 is the most emotional, and what makes 4 work is that it never tries to replicate these things. It really succeeds on its own merits, and actually feels like the most adventurous of the quadrilogy
It's definitely the busiest one yet, with so much going on and most of it really working, and what I love is how all of these ideas are tied to the new characters and locations. Forky alone is a fascinating character, a spork-turned-toy who now lives an existential nightmare. Not only is that absolutely hilarious, it's also something that really plays with the logic of this world, which is pretty cool to see. The other new introductions are similarly welcome. Gabby Gabby is also a pretty good character, one who kind of plays with the idea of villains in this series, and this allows the movie to explore the idea of validation, which has been in these films from the very beginning, from a different perspective, one which goes someplace surprising, but also pretty satisfying. The antique shop setting reflects this too, essentially being a hub for lost toys, and apart from being one of the most visually interesting parts of the film, it also asks questions about ownership and purpose that, yeah the series has done before, but like with Gabby, does this in a way that we've not quite seen before, not on this scale anyway.
The film's ideas also feed directly into the comedy, and this is probably the funniest Toy Story yet, something that's definitely seen with some of the characters. There's Ducky and Bunny, two fairground plush toys who are desperate to be owned, and who come up with these incredibly intricate, surprisingly violent schemes. But the funniest, and best new addition is undoubtedly Canada's Greatest Stuntman, Duke Caboom. This. Guy. Is. Freaking. Hilarious. I mean, obviously he benefits from having Keanu Reeves voicing him, but his insecurity caused by an impossibly awesome advertisement, as well as his general Canada-ness, make him just such a fun character, one who just absolutely steals every scene he's in
The jokes here are some of the series' funniest yet, and there were so many standout moments. The laughs come fast in Toy Story 4, from an elaborate plan to get a key from an old woman, to Buzz literally listening to his inner voice, a montage of Forky trying to bin himself, and boatloads more that I'm loathed to spoil. The comedy comes from both really funny dialogue and ace physical comedy, which, as always, has so much fun with the idea of toys, and gets so many sight gags in based on that idea alone.
I mentioned that this was the least emotional of the series, and yeah, I really think that it is. No spoilers, but when the film comes to an end, it's deeply satisfying for sure, and definitely a logical point for the overall story of this series to reach, but I just didn't find it all that emotional. Honestly, I don't think that's a bad thing though, because I think that I felt that way because it felt so earned. This honestly feels like the best direction that they could have taken it in, and I'm glad that they did this instead of trying to usurp 3's almighty tearjerker of an ending. Yeah, maybe after the other three, it would have been nice to have another film with a really powerful emotional payoff, but I think that this one works without one, because it's higher joke rate and fascinating existential streak kind of make up for it. I love how this movie explores what it means to be a toy, and the purpose that they have, and what happens when they're not needed anymore. Yeah, the series has played with this before, but the fact that 4 doubles down on this makes it its own, absolutely fascinating thing that's not necessarily better than the trilogy, but does feel like a logical, satisfying installment
It doesn't even bother me that the characters that we've come to know and love are largely absent. I can see that being a real issue for some, because if you're expecting another story with the whole gang, then you're probably going to be let down. I think that this is definitely Woody's story, and the investment that we have in his character is definitely enough to propel the story. Obviously, the new characters aren't as well developed as the ones we knew before, but they all feel like fun and necessary additions to this chapter of Woody's life. But make no mistake, it completely revolves around him and Bo Peep. It's definitely an interesting approach, especially because we kind of said goodbye to the gang at the end of the third one. On the whole, the approach to this films plot is a pretty good one
So, The Most Unnecessary Sequel In The World™ actually turned out to be pretty freaking good. It compensates for its general lack of tear-jerking moments and time spent with fan favourite characters for a strangely philosophical and absolutely hilarious story about Woody and his place in the world. Have to say, not the direction that I would have expected this series to go in, but if there's one thing I love about Pixar, it's their ability to keep things fresh and continue to surprise and delight. The fact that the latest chapter in their most beloved series is as good as it is is a testament to their unique storytelling abilities. I'm just so happy to be living in these guys' time. It's not their best film, or even the best Toy Story, but it's such a fun, smartly written film, and yeah, that's enough for me to recommend it
Caboom!
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