Toy Story 4
review by Bobby Blakey
It’s hard to believe that the Toy Story franchise started all the way back in 1995. Sicne we have had two sequels, TV specials and so much merchandise you can’t go anywhere without still seeing the famed franchise. The biggest surprise is that the movies just kept getting better and better and thought to have wrapped it all up with 2010s Toy Story 3, but the gang is all back once again for another chapter. Could this latest chapter offer up more of the same greatness from the original films or will these be toys no longer worth playing with?
Toy Story 4 follows Woody who has always been confident about his place in the world and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. But when Bonnie adds a reluctant new toy called “Forky” to her room, a road trip adventure alongside old and new friends will show Woody how big the world can be for a toy. While I thought the last film did a perfect job of wrapping it all up I am always up for more from these characters. This time around they took it in a bit of a new direction and not only took it back to tell the story of a previously missing character, but also took them out into the world on a much bigger scale.
The gang is all here, but this time it really felt more like a Woody movie than anything else which kind of makes sense since he has always been the head honcho of it all. Here we get to explore more of his own issues as well as the new direction the toys go as more things evolve with their new owner. That is the element about this franchise that I have always loved, seeing the characters that surround the toys grow like in real life and seeing how their lives change. Everyone here is once again bringing their A game in the voice acting department. It always amazes me how much emotion they have been able to get from these characters which makes them more relatable and beloved.
The new additions to the film are all great. I know Forky is going to be one of
those characters that divides people, but I loved his running gag and he kept me laughing throughout. The two new stuffed characters Ducky and Bunny, voiced to perfection by Key and Peele, bring a fun new craziness to the series that we didn’t know it needed. Continuing the current Hollywood take over, Keanu Reeves joins as the hilarious Duke Caboom and offers up more fun that will no doubt be yet another beloved role for the star. There are some darker elements here as well that might freak out some of the smaller kids involving ventriloquist dolls that I loved.
The story takes some fun and emotional new directions that once again brings everything to a great ending all while still open to bring more adventures that I welcome. I loved this new chapter way more than I thought I would. Beautifully vibrant animation, heart, laughs and friendship makes this the best of franchise and in turn makes the entire series all the better.
In addition to the film this release also includes bonus content including deleted scenes, trailers, commentary, numerous featurettes and more. Join some old friends for play time with Toy Story 4 available now on digital and then on 4K Ultra and Blu-ray on October 8th from Disney Home Entertainment.