IR Film Review: TOY STORY 5 [Pixar/Disney]

With any sequel, the question becomes necessity. It is not a question whether the 5th movie in the Toy Story franchise is good. It is more if it needs to be. "Toy Story 3" still is the pinnacle in what it did because of the stakes and the angst that permeated in the path of these toys. “Toy Story 5” does address a different world than 4 did in 2019...and things have changed...but the question of course becomes motivation. It is not a completely new generation but it is a new way to introduce another generation to the Toy Story universe. Unlike "Cars" or "Monsters Inc.", "Toy Story" does have the ability to introduce new ideas while still keeping old one so it is inherently multi-generational. The tech screens motif obviously a big thing (even more so today even right post pendemic) since this has likely been worked on since 2022 at least. There is a periphery story that works also to soften the "Lightyear" movje whjch was good but didn’t resonate the way old Buzz did. The quest the would-be prologue and side story shows shows aside from the main story is meant to retcon that just slightly.

The little girl Margaret is now the keeper of her toys and like most Pixar films, it finds those who are outsiders that just need someone they can relate to. The difference is that in this film Jessie (played by Joan Cusack) is the focus. Buzz and Woody are around but they are the side characters in a way. It does make sense and the story structure is very sound as always. As time goes on, the human characters are more relatable in the subtle emotions than the toys (compared with the original times of Andy). Margaret being hurt, shy or embarrassed at various points really registers well. It is Jessie’s journey though and how she deals with tech especially a frog-like tablet but even that shows a good lessons. The theater where the film screened was filled with kids and there was even a teenage couple to the side and the guy (more than his date) was in wonder saying "Wow" or "Oh Gosh" since perhaps this was the first time he had seen a Toy Story movie in a theater.

That said, "Toy Story 5" did reflect back to the power of play which has always been the big metaphor of the Toy Story movies. Jessie goes on a quest of her own but it nicely brings her back to her origins where she might she had been forgotten since her old address was still written on the inside of her chaps. The cowgirl throwback is nice especially when she interacts with some forgotten tech toys who have the same issues as old regular toys. The best parts are when the reactions hurt the toys and they don’t understand why until they do. A great moment towards the end on a hill top really brings this home and of course provides a tearful moment that works very well. And of course there is also another sequence that works perfect as a date movie while keeping the adventure structure moving. "Toy Story 5" was not necessary but has the heart as much as any of them just adjusted for a new generation but still with the old gang and a few new ones (always fun to see who plays the new toys). B+

By Tim Wassberg