Back in 1995 I was 6 years old, and to me- as with any child- playing with toys was everything. It involved creating storylines and using imagination to connect varying characters in a world of my own. These characters would only spring to life, once I picked them up, once I gave them a voice, and once I made them move. Now, what many people in the early 90’s weren't expecting was that Pixar Animation had been hard at work sitting behind their computers. They were creating something akin to magic, a magic that until now, was only accessible through our imagination. That year in 1995 something special happened, toys came to life - all on their own - and they made the box office their playground.

The Toy Story films brought two specific elements that would eventually lead to huge success in theatres.
First, it reconnected us with the heartwarming idea that toys are very much alive, similar to Pinocchio, and they share the same emotions that every person holds inside of themselves. Second, it achieved computer generated visuals that literally brought the toys to life on screen, in a real world.

The 4th chapter, in the now twenty-four year old franchise, aims to do this once again, at a higher level. If that’s even possible. As with any Toy Story film or Pixar animation, it wouldn’t be complete without a deep - heart wrenching story, simple enough for small children, with a complexity and comedic approach for anyone to enjoy. Toy Story 4 aims to find that voice inside of us, and grab a hold of it, “It’s who we are” says Woody in the film, it questions the purpose we hold in life, and the value we gain through unbreakable bonds of friendship. Not your average questions being thrown around in a children’s movie, but that’s how Toy Story wins over people of all ages.

This chapter continues to find creative dilemmas for Woody to experience. Tagging along with him is his old friend Bow-Peep and new character Forky, a spork voiced by Tony Hale (Veep/Arrested Development). Forky questions his own existence in the film. He fights the idea that he’s loved, and views himself as trash - constantly trying throw himself in the garbage. This leaves Woody for part of the film trying to explain to his friends why Forky is needed and his value to the group. With Andy now grown up and moved out, Woody is left in a similar predicament to Forky, stuck in an existential crisis and searching for where and who he belongs with.

Since announcing the release of Toy Story 4, many have also questioned the films very existence. Critics have been asking if Toy Story required a fourth installment after already closing out successfully in chapter three. In a way, this film is actually speaking to this exact question. Toy Story 4 tells us that as long as someone cares enough about you, then that is your purpose - to bring happiness to the ones searching for it. If my generation is growing out of the Toy Story films then it’s okay because there will always be a new person who will find comfort in them. It’s kind of a sad take to be leaving your childhood behind and to be fully realizing it, but it’s perfectly Pixar and completely inline with what this franchise has always been about. If Pixar themselves questioned if this movie deserves to exist and then created a character out of this very idea then they’re truly all kinds of genius - Meta levels to the max!

Chapter 4 continues to introduce us to several new characters throughout the film, such as the Canadian stunt bike rider Duke Kaboom, played by Keanu Reeves (The Matrix/John Wick), and an old toy doll named Gabby Gabby, voiced by Christina Hendricks (Mad Men). Watching this installment you can’t help but feel like the original gang of characters take a back seat. Even Buzz Lightyear’s role is limited. The questions mentioned earlier and asked throughout the film, are clearly aimed at all the characters, but it’s Woody who needs to explore them to understand his place in the world. It’s very introspective and aims to further enrich his character to feel more like a real human. Tom Hanks, the voice of Woody, has a field day exploring this and continues to use his voice to ooze the heartache and empathy you feel for the old cowboy. Because of the strong focus on Woody’s character arc, it can feel less like the original trilogy and more like an entirely new one, and by the end, it opens up a whole new set of ways this story can continue to be told. That is if Pixar decides to tell another.

Toy Story 4 feels like the end of something, even more for the ones who grew up along side these films. For this reason it earns its place in the series to conclude Woody’s story. As we’ve come to expect it also adds incredible visuals. The lighting is one of the first notes I made on the film. It’s incredibly realistic, casting rich shadows and reflections off the toys in a way we’ve never seen before in any animated film. Colours pop with vibrancey, leading to the most lifelike we’ve ever seen these characters. Right down to the wear and tear on them, it’s all there for you to see. The creators have also stated that hidden in the movie are easter eggs to every film Pixar have created. Needless to say they are hard to pick up on when you have visuals this exquisite and require multiple viewings if you want to pinpoint them all. The rain is another thing I noticed that is absolutely incredible. The puddle reflections and the shine from being out in the rain, glow off the toys just like the lights. It’s something that anyone who witnesses it will undoubtably be mesmerized by.

There’s lots of fun to be had with Toy Story 4, matched with groundbreaking visuals, and top notch voice acting and animation. Quick nod to new characters voiced by Key and Peele who have a very creative imagination (you’ll understand if you see the film) and offer a lot of laughs. My screening was viewed on a full sized IMAX screen and took advantage of the larger aspect ratio. It was also displayed in IMAX 3D for the screening however I don’t think 3D played much of a role here as the 2D version of the film already has plenty of depth.

- Toy Story 4 -
Letter Grade: Its a fight between a B+ and an A- (Visuals however are hands down getting an A+)
Rated G
Run Time: 1h 40min
Current Worldwide Box Office $1,031,980,011 (669M around release of this article)