It’s my duty to inform you that this film is not for the weak hearted, so don’t forget to bring lots of tissues with you, because you will struggle to hold back the tears.
Our beloved characters are back after a decade since Toy Story 3, which was presumed as the final chapter for Pixar’s crown jewel franchise and also debuted a decade after the original sequel. This makes us wonder if this is really the end or if there are further adventures to be had with these ragtag toys for the next generation.
The fourth film of the saga starts with the gang adjusting to their new life with Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw), which sees our favourite cowboy Woody (Tom Hanks), left behind and struggling to let go of his memories with Andy.
Things change with the addition of new character, Forky (Tony Hale provides the hilarious voice performance), who becomes Bonnie’s new favourite toy and comfort blanket as she too struggles to adjust to a major change in her life. When Forky gets lost on, Woody and Buzz (Tim Allen) embark in a new mission to save him and reunite him with Bonnie. This journey will make Woody question feelings from his past when he reunites with his old friend Bo Peep (Annie Potts), who’s now a ‘lost toy’.
As is Toy Story tradition, Forky isn’t the only addition to the gang. This time round, the film explores the sadness and freedom of the lost and forgotten toys, who are trying to find a new meaning in their life, without a kid to play with.
Keanu Reeves’ Canadian stunt motorcyclist, Duke Caboom, is one of those brilliant additions, as Reeves manages to bring depth and humour to the character at the same time.
But the real hero of the film is the advanced animation. The first Toy Story came out in 1995 and was the first feature-length CG-animated film, which laid the groundwork for the lepas animation has taken since, accumulating with Toy Story 3’s Oscar win for Best Animated Feature.
A decade later, the animation doesn’t disappoint. It’s brilliantly life-like, and funny to compare the characters from the first film to this one and to see how they have improved in minute details since.
This might be the animated movie of the year, thanks to its stunning animation and powerful nostalgic feeling. The film had me in tears from the beginning, due to sentimental flashback scenes of Andy playing with his toys when he was still a kid, and the famous song ‘You Got A Friend In Me’, which will transport you to your wonder years.
Toy Story 4 will provoke a mix of emotions and laughs as a film for kids and adults that grew up watching the Toy Story series from the beginning. For us old enough to grow up with Woody and the gang, this broke my heart and made me cry on my way home.
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