Toy Story 5
Rating: 3/5
By: Nathaniel Simpson
Toy Story is arguably one of the most famous and best animated franchises of all time, and I stand by the sentiment that the series should have ended with the third film. Toy Story 3 perfectly wrapped up Andy's story and allowed the toys and the audience to move on in satisfaction with what the story was able to accomplish. When the fourth movie came out, while I still stayed by my feelings that the third one was a great definitive end to these characters, I enjoyed what they were able to bring to the table in the character of Forky and the beautiful aesthetic the fourth film had. Toy Story 5, on the other hand, seemed like a major attempt to capitalize on a successful franchise, and the film simply contains nothing of substance or style. While I can appreciate what they were attempting to go for, the entire film felt bland and uninspired, with it serving more like a public service announcement about technology rather than a film the entire family can enjoy. Also, what's up with these iconic characters only having a smidge of screen time to try and make Jessie's story more important than it actually is?
The film follows Jessie (Joan Cusack) as she is fighting with the one thing that may make toys extinct - technology. When Bonnie (Scarlett Spears) gets a Lilypad (which is a tablet safe for children), the tablet (Greta Lee) is determined to be the only toy Bonnie will ever need, promising to make Bonnie friends instead of playing with her toys. When things take a turn for the worse and Jessie finds herself at an old, familiar place that brings back a lot of emotions, she must find a way to get back to Bonnie and end the reign of technology for good.
This movie comes out in 2026, almost over a decade too late to make a movie about how harmful technology can be. Tablets for kids have already been a staple in society and this is nothing new. Yet, the filmmaker behind Toy Story think now is a perfect time to make this film and capitalize on the characters we already know and love. Unfortunately, what they don't realize is they are cheapening the quality and emotional impact of the Pixar brand. This feels more like a throwaway gag that they could touch on instead of making an entire big-budget feature film around this idea. Even from the trailers, I knew this film wasn't going to work, and I am confidently saying this is the worst Toy Story film we have received (besides Lightyear, of course).
I also don't understand why there is such an emphasis on Jessie's character arc and story. They are seemingly trying to make a bigger story out of something they covered in the second film; they don't realize they already perfectly told that story in the short amount of time they had for that film. Less is more in this case, and they beat this story to death throughout the course of this film. I think it was also an interesting choice that they sidelined all of the characters the fans love and enjoy, such as Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen). They could have done so much more with these characters, but they practically already concluded their stories in the last film. Don't even get me started on the entire storyline with the ship-wrecked Buzz toys.
However, while I do have all of these complaints with the film's narrative. it is enjoyable and fun for the most part. It is great seeing all of these characters together again (even if it's not needed), and I do think some of the jokes work particularly well here. At the same time, the animation here is undoubtedly on the level of the other Pixar films, and that is the one thing you can always count on when watching a Disney/Pixar movie. They may not have the best stories or do a great job telling it on the screen lately, but they sure do have some of the best animation in the game today.
We didn't need Toy Story 5, and a big part of me is upset that this movie exists at all as it tarnishes the credibility and reputation of the franchise. I think there are aspects that a lot of people will really enjoy, but as a film, it simply doesn't work. This unfortunately seems like a major attempt to bring in some money off these very popular IP's, and it's honestly depressing we are resulting to these half-hearted sequels than fresh and new ideas.
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