Toy Story 4 (2019) - Movie Review

Toy Story 4 - A Good, but Unnecessary Sequel

Rating - 7/10

“I’m not a toy. I was made for soup, salad, maybe chili, and then the trash.”

    Toy Story 4 is a gorgeous film from start to finish. Pixar once again proves that it is unmatched when it comes to animation quality. The lighting, textures, and facial details are all breathtaking, and it is wild to see how far things have come since the first Toy Story back in 1995. Every scene looks like a piece of art, from the carnival lights to the smallest speck of dust in an antique store. The movie’s technical side is flawless, and the voice acting is as strong as ever, with Tom Hanks and Tim Allen effortlessly sliding back into their roles.

    The story itself is charming, following Woody as he grapples with his purpose after Andy and trying to help Forky find his place in the world. Forky, Duke Caboom, and even Gabby Gabby are fun and unique additions to the series, and they all bring something different to the table. There are plenty of funny and heartwarming moments that remind you why Toy Story means so much to so many people.

    The problem, though, is not with how it looks or sounds, but with why it exists. Toy Story 3 gave audiences one of the most satisfying conclusions in animated movie history. It was the perfect emotional goodbye for Woody, Buzz, and the gang. Toy Story 4, while entertaining, undercuts that ending by trying to continue a story that already felt complete. The stakes feel much lower, and many of the old favorites like Jessie, Rex, and Hamm are pushed to the sidelines. Even Buzz Lightyear feels like a background character this time around, which is a shame given his importance to the series.

    In the end, Toy Story 4 is a technically brilliant and still enjoyable film that simply did not need to happen. It is a good movie living in the shadow of greatness. You cannot deny its beauty or its craftsmanship, but it lacks the emotional punch and sense of closure that made the previous films so powerful. Pixar still delivers quality, but it also proves that sometimes, a perfect ending should be left alone.

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