Pixar’s flagship franchise concludes with Toy Story 4 bringing back favorite characters and fun with new characters! It of course launched Pixar as a film studio in 1995 with the first Toy Story directed by John Lasseter. The franchise seemed to be a trilogy ending with Toy Story 3 in 2010. What was central to all of the stories was the friendship between cowboy toy, Woody (Tom Hanks), and astronaut space toy, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen). The endurance of these Pixar films is that even with the first movie, they go beyond the premise of what happens when we leave toys alone. Some of the films are fantastic, but the best reflect ourselves.
A fault of other animated movies that try to jazz up their premises, but lose the story, fun, and heart. This film is directed by Josh Cooley who previously directed the short, Riley’s First Date? (2015), that was included with the Inside Out (2015) digital and Blu-Rays. He also worked on the story of the film along with John Lasseter, Valerie LaPointe, Rashida Jones, Will McCormack, Martin Hynes, and Stephany Folsom. The screenplay is by Folsom and Andrew Stanton, director of Finding Dory (2016) who worked on the story for all of the Toy Story movies.
A fault of other animated movies that try to jazz up their premises, but lose the story, fun, and heart. This film is directed by Josh Cooley who previously directed the short, Riley’s First Date? (2015), that was included with the Inside Out (2015) digital and Blu-Rays. He also worked on the story of the film along with John Lasseter, Valerie LaPointe, Rashida Jones, Will McCormack, Martin Hynes, and Stephany Folsom. The screenplay is by Folsom and Andrew Stanton, director of Finding Dory (2016) who worked on the story for all of the Toy Story movies.
We get the Pixar lamp, Luxo Jr., that resolves to it shining in a storm. Very impressive visuals. It begins nine years, post-Toy Story 2, in this case it sets up the basic story of Woody (no last name, but I’m suspecting it’s Hanks) watching out for the other toys. Now, it is RC who is struggling in a storm clogged drain, Woody goes to the rescue, but then he finds that Bo Peep (Annie Potts) is being taken away. Woody later explains how much Bo Peep and her lamp meant to Molly, Andy’s sister, so why she would be sold her is confusing. Woody tries to rescue her, but she explains that it is her time to find a new owner. Bo Peep, as well as RC, was missing from Toy Story 3 so this is a great return. We shift through the past films to the current day.
Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw), who is the new owner of the toys from Toy Story 3, now plays with Jessie (Joan Cusack) as her favorite. The leader of Bonnie’s toys is Dolly voiced by Bonnie Hunt who was part of her original group of toys. Jessie was introduced in Toy Story 2 trapped in a collector’s box. She is an interesting character, given a moment here, but really she and Bullseye, Woody’s horse, are cameos. Woody is left in the closet. Of course the point is to give attention to everybody, not just the interesting ones, which is something that Bonnie will learn. Bonnie is nervous about attending kindergarten, her parents tell her no toys are allowed, but Woody slips into her backpack.
Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw), who is the new owner of the toys from Toy Story 3, now plays with Jessie (Joan Cusack) as her favorite. The leader of Bonnie’s toys is Dolly voiced by Bonnie Hunt who was part of her original group of toys. Jessie was introduced in Toy Story 2 trapped in a collector’s box. She is an interesting character, given a moment here, but really she and Bullseye, Woody’s horse, are cameos. Woody is left in the closet. Of course the point is to give attention to everybody, not just the interesting ones, which is something that Bonnie will learn. Bonnie is nervous about attending kindergarten, her parents tell her no toys are allowed, but Woody slips into her backpack.
Bonnie gets the same treatment from the young kids that she gave to Woody, they ignore her, and a boy throws all of her table crafts into the bin. Woody from his hiding place places some items from the bin to the table; a spork, pipe cleaner, rubber bands, popiscle sticks, and googly eyes. So Woody is part of this Frankenstein creation. Bonnie assembles these into her own toy, Forky, and once back in her room, Woody introduces the toys to Forky. He is of course voiced by Tony Hale from Veep. Forky is frantic, innocent to the world, and obsessed with trash. A fun performance by Hale. Woody tries to explain he is important as Bonnie’s toy, but Forky keeps throwing himself into the bin!
Bonnie’s family goes on a road trip in the family RV. Forky sees his purpose is to throw himself away and Woody has to keep constant watch over him. Still, Forky manages to jump out of the RV window, and Woody follows after him. The focus of the movie really is on Woody so it really puts Hanks’ character not as a leader, but seeing the change in his toy family. Woody catches up with Forky and manages to convince him of his value to Bonnie. There is of course more to this Toy Story than a buddy road trip. They end up in the town of Grand Basin and they see Bonnie’s RV so Forky is ready to return. Buzz Lightyear races to rescue his friend, but needs the guidance of his “inner voice.” Allen voices his iconic character who was always self-confident, but now has to go on his own.
Bonnie’s family goes on a road trip in the family RV. Forky sees his purpose is to throw himself away and Woody has to keep constant watch over him. Still, Forky manages to jump out of the RV window, and Woody follows after him. The focus of the movie really is on Woody so it really puts Hanks’ character not as a leader, but seeing the change in his toy family. Woody catches up with Forky and manages to convince him of his value to Bonnie. There is of course more to this Toy Story than a buddy road trip. They end up in the town of Grand Basin and they see Bonnie’s RV so Forky is ready to return. Buzz Lightyear races to rescue his friend, but needs the guidance of his “inner voice.” Allen voices his iconic character who was always self-confident, but now has to go on his own.
Woody, though, is caught up looking at a lamp that reminds him of a friend in the window of the Second Chance Antique store. This is a new setting to see the world of toys. They enter the antique store and Woody tries to find Bo Peep. Instead, they meet inside a baby carriage, Gabby Gabby (Christina Hendricks), and her henchmen dummies, the Bensons. The dummies offer some creepy moments; shades of Willie in “The Dummy” (1962) episode of Twilight Zone. Gabby Gabby, an interesting toy name since her voice box has been damaged, and her worry that she will not be adopted by a child. Hendricks’ variation on the toy villain is brilliant. She of course is interested in Woody since he has a working voice box for his pull string.
Bonnie and her family enter the store so Woody and Forky head towards them, but Forky is taken by Gabby Gabby. The RV leaves and Woody finds himself at a fair. He is taken by a game attendant and offered as a prize. Also, there are two stuffies, Ducky and Bunny. They of course are voiced by Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele and it is great to have the duo of Key and Peele together again. Very funny and they inject some energy to the film. Woody is able to escape and finds Bo Peep on her own for seven years! She has lost her pink hat and dress to now a blue outfit more fitting in her new role as an action figure. This is really an adventure, but also a romance with Woody and Bo Peep which was unresolved in the previous films.
Bonnie and her family enter the store so Woody and Forky head towards them, but Forky is taken by Gabby Gabby. The RV leaves and Woody finds himself at a fair. He is taken by a game attendant and offered as a prize. Also, there are two stuffies, Ducky and Bunny. They of course are voiced by Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele and it is great to have the duo of Key and Peele together again. Very funny and they inject some energy to the film. Woody is able to escape and finds Bo Peep on her own for seven years! She has lost her pink hat and dress to now a blue outfit more fitting in her new role as an action figure. This is really an adventure, but also a romance with Woody and Bo Peep which was unresolved in the previous films.
Bo Peep brings a new dimension to the toys, the Lost Toys, and their world. Potts transforms the love interest of Bo Peep into a take charge, independent leader. At her side, or really shoulder, is the tiny Giggles McDimples, officer for Pet Patrol. The name makes me laugh. She is voiced by Ally Maki who is in the Cloak and Dagger show. The casting opens up the Toy Story universe to a more diverse world. They have to mount a rescue mission to save Forky, return to Bonnie, but there is the question of Bo Peep who has made her own life. As part of the rescue, they need the help of another toy, Duke Caboom. He is “Canada’s greatest stuntman”, complete with helmet and motorcycle, he reminds me of Evel Knevel as a toy, but as a character, more Super Dave Osborne!
He finds that what happens when toys don’t play like they are promised. Keanu Reeves of course voices Duke Caboom and proves he should be every film this year. The animation is impressive from the rain drenched opening scene to the fun world building. There is a number of end credit scenes so try to catch them all! This appears to be year of concluding franchises and it looks like Toy Story 4 is a definitive conclusion of this franchise. Still, where is RC, Etch, and Wheezy? If there are more Toy Story films until Infinity and Beyond, can’t wait!
He finds that what happens when toys don’t play like they are promised. Keanu Reeves of course voices Duke Caboom and proves he should be every film this year. The animation is impressive from the rain drenched opening scene to the fun world building. There is a number of end credit scenes so try to catch them all! This appears to be year of concluding franchises and it looks like Toy Story 4 is a definitive conclusion of this franchise. Still, where is RC, Etch, and Wheezy? If there are more Toy Story films until Infinity and Beyond, can’t wait!
Four Voice Boxes out of Five!
#ToyStory4, JoshCooley, #Tom Hanks, #TimAllen
Comments
Post a Comment