The Toy Story franchise is one I have grown up with, quite literally as the first film was released a month before I was born. I remember clearly having both Buzz Lightyear and Woody toys as a child. I also really vividly remember going to the cinema with friends to watch Toy Story 3 in 2010 in 3D, a film that really hit me at the time, and goes down as one of the many films that nearly made me cry (yet to go over that hill). I was more than happy with the franchise ending the way it did with 3 and thought it was a beautiful ending. However, they did return for a 4th instalment and it was pleasantly surprising, I did think it was the weakest of the franchise but it worked, and again had a nice send off. Here we are again, 7 years later, another instalment.
Toy Story 5 sees the toys compete for Bonnie’s attention as she struggles to make friends, and is introduced to a new kids tablet, making the toys feel useless, as they try to prove that they can help, and bring Bonnie together with friends.
This film very much has Jessie as the lead character of the film, as she leads the charge on trying to help Bonnie, and help stop Lilypad. The previous time we’ve had more Jessie was when she made her first appearance in Toy Story 2, since then she’s been a supporting character really. Her scene with her previous owner in Toy Story 2 deeply affected a lot of people, mostly thanks to the music that’s now heavily associated with the impact. This film clearly tries to almost have a feature length version of that, and it is where the film is at it’s strongest. It tugs on the heart strings, and you do feel a connection, so heavily tied to what we’ve previously seen and you’re desperate for it not to happen to her again.
Woody and Buzz take a back seat. Woody has obviously been front and centre of every film before this point, and 4 certainly felt like the end of his story, so any future for the character feels like it will be in a supporting role. Similarly with Buzz, who had some very impactful in the first 3 films, before being relegated to a supporting role in the last one, and is once again in this one. I would like to see more of a closing for Buzz’s character if we are getting another one of these (which it was hinted that we would be, and maybe the mid credit scene was a tease of where that could be going?). There is a weird subplot about a whole army of Buzz Lightyears that has been washed up on sure as they’re looking for Star Command, but it really didn’t work. Tonally, it doesn’t match the rest of the film, and always felt like a jump to watching a short film in between the main part of the film, that would take me out completely of what I wanted to be watching.
The biggest strength of the first 3 films particularly is the strength of the villains of each of the films. You could make a case that Buzz is the villain of the first film, before it then is definetly Sid, but 2 has a great reveal of Stinky Pete and Lotso in 3. Having relatively recently rewatched 4 in preparation for this film (because I don’t think I’ve seen it since it came out), I could tell you it was a doll, but I couldn’t tell you what her name was. Lilypad is much easier to remember and associate with this film, but ultimately feels like we are retreading on similar ground.
The film doesn’t go too deeply into the obvious message you would be expecting this film to go down. It very much starts with an almost anti-technology standpoint, but it certainly doesn’t fully delve into that like you would expect, and the toys get help from a couple of different pieces of older and new technology along the way. At the end of the day, these films are very non-subtle long commercials for Disney to sell new Toy Story merch.
Overall, Toy Story 5 is another enjoyable entry in Pixar’s prize franchise. These films are always a hit, it’s clear that they won’t make these films unless they have a strong idea for them. The animation continues to be extremely impressive and at times mindblowing, and there are multiple laugh out loud moments anyone can enjoy. Not everything fully lands, but there is more than enough there for an entertaining watch, that will hit some people right in the feels.
What did you think of Toy Story 5?
This month has been a slightly funny one for me, as I’ve been moving house. I have watched Disclosure Day, I didn’t have time to write a review and think the ship has slightly sailed on that one. Mini review, I enjoyed it a lot! I should be back to fairly regular programming now, and will be seeing Supergirl on Thursday, so be sure not to miss that by following @floodersfilms or via the buttons below!
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