Toy Story 4

After Toy Story 3, it seemed that the story of Woody and Buzz and the gang of toys was wrapped up with a bow on it, as Andy, going off to college, gave his toys to Bonnie. Everyone at Pixar said there would be no more sequels, and the world seemed fine with that. But, as they say, never say never again.

And thus we have Toy Story 4, and while in the grand scheme of things this film may have been unnecessary, it is nonetheless charming, and in some ways even more emotionally satisfying that the last film, as it may finally seem like the last one (but we've heard that tune before).

One of the greatest pleasures of Toy Story films is how they teach philosophy while being entertaining to all ages. In this film, the big question of existence and our very purpose is tackled. "How am I alive?" a character asks near the end of the film. How, indeed, are these toys alive, and what is their purpose? If toys are meant to bring pleasure to children, what about toys who don't have owners? What is a toy, exactly?

Written by many, including actress Rashida Jones, the script for Toy Story 4 makes allusions to other works of literature from Frankenstein to Peter Pan to attempt to answer those questions. After a prologue that shows how Bo Peep was given away, breaking Woody's heart (yes, there is even romance in this film) we find the toys with Bonnie. She is off to her first day of kindergarten, and Woody, who has been neglected of late, tags along. He helps Bonnie make her own toy, using a spork, a pipe cleaner, and googly eyes. She calls him Forky, and she loves him.

Forky comes to life, and thinks he's trash. Woody keeps flinging him back out of the trash can, determined to make Bonnie happy. Then the family goes off on vacation, and Woody is reunited with Bo, and Forky ends up in an antique store with a vintage doll who wants Woody's voice-box.

I'd have to look at the other Toy Story films again to see where this one ranks--I've always thought the second one was the best, but this fourth entry may just top it. It's got plenty of action--there are some dizzying scenes in the store, with ventriloquist dummies and a cat--but the pathos is just so intense. You aren't human if you don't tear up a couple of times near the end, and the ending is a swift kick to the heart.

Some new toys are introduced, and they're great, including a pair of stuffed animals voiced by Key and Peele, and a Canadian motorcycle stuntman voiced brilliantly by Keanu Reeves, who pokes fun at his image, even giving us a "whoa!" Annie Potts, after being absent from Toy Story 3, voices Bo Peep, who is now the leader of a band of "lost toys" (perhaps a nod to the Lost Boys of Peter Pan?) and a kick-ass action hero. And of course there's Forky, who is voiced by Tony Hale, who is a bit like Frankenstein's Monster, only he is beloved by his creator.

Pixar has only new films on its schedule--no sequels. But who knows? If they decide to make a fifth film I'll go see it.