After a near perfect conclusion to a near perfect trilogy,
it seemed greedy of Pixar to even contemplate a Toy Story 4. The
studio’s identity as a hotbed for originality has been fading over the years,
seven of the last eleven films from the animation giant have been either a
sequel or prequel, and bringing back characters that had such an emotional sendoff
is very ill-advised on paper. But Pixar is Pixar, and somehow, someway, they
manage to knock it out of the park once again.
Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and the rest
of the gang embark on a road trip with Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw) and a new toy
named Forky (Tony Hale). The adventurous journey turns into an unexpected
reunion as Woody's slight detour leads him to his long-lost friend Bo Peep
(Annie Potts). As Woody and Bo discuss the old days, they soon start to realize
that they're worlds apart when it comes to what they want from life as a toy.

The voice work, from top to bottom, is phenomenal. The
returning members of the cast are so closely associated with the role, you
barely even think about who they actually are removed from the setting of the
film despite having recognizable voices. The return of Bo Peep, voiced by Annie
Potts, provides a fantastic jolt and a great new spin on the character from the
first two films.
However, the true newcomers cannot be overlooked either,
particularly for the laugh out loud moments they provide. Whether it's Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key as the ever hilarious Bunny and Ducky, a pair of
carnival prize stuffed animals whose comedic contortions bring numerous laughs.
Or the Canadian stuntman toy Duke Caboom, voiced by Keanu Reeves, who postures
and poses to wonderful comedic effect in even the brief amount of time he gets.

The whole film surprisingly works to be completely honest. A
fourth entry in a franchise is usually doomed to irrelevance, but Toy Story
4 actually delves into some really meaningful themes of loyalty, purpose,
and what it all means. It certainly doesn’t hurt that the animation by the
Pixar machine is elevated with each new release. The toys themselves get a
noticeable upgrade, the scenery is bright and colorful, and the design of this
world is exquisitely crafted. Toy Story 4 may not have been necessary,
but Pixar certainly did not hold anything back either.
Toy Story 4 continues the franchise is a heartfelt
way that didn’t seem possible after a fitting conclusion in part three. The
story of the gang being Andy’s toys is over, but that doesn’t mean they can’t
fulfill their purpose, or whatever they view as their purpose, and it doesn’t
mean the audience isn’t going to cry any less. If the franchise is truly bowing
out, it’s doing so with another stellar entry that seems like a minor miracle,
a near perfect conclusion to an expedition that started with a sheriff and
space ranger back in 1995.
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