Toy Story is the franchise that keeps on giving. The original Toy Story was released in 1995, stealing the hearts of millennials and their parents alike. The latest installment only tightens their grip on fans more and adds in a new audience of Gen Z.
The audience laughed, cried, and screamed an out loud “what the forky” more than a few times. Fans will remember the ending of Toy Story 3 where Andy’s toys were given to Bonnie. Toy Story 4 picks up where 3 left off and follows Woody with Bonnie’s new toy, Forky, on an adventure to infinity and beyond.
HOWEVER, before the journey begins, the film answers the biggest question it had left open – what happened to Bo Peep? The first ten minutes are a flashback to 9 years prior and gives the closure that Bo Peep was so deserving of.
Toy Story 3 had wrapped up the story so well, it threatened to leave shoes too big to fill for another installment. Yet Toy Story 4 flowed right along and also has an ending that would be perfect to close the book.
Moviegoer Asante feels a special connection with the films, “I grew up with Toy Story. Andy graduated in 2010 just like me. And now, it’s pretty symbolic. New friends, new adventures. It had all my favorite characters and the running toy gags. My internal child was screaming! I also liked the message this one had about listening to your inner voice and having adventures. It was very, very heart warming.”
Bo Peep’s new look and strong personality is an example that this timeless story can adapt for modern day. New characters Bunny (voiced by Jordan Peele) and Duck (voiced by Keegan-Michael Key) had me ROFL-ing (Rolling On the Floor Laughing). It’s a film for the family, but also, if you want to go alone, everyone else will be laughing along with you anyway.
PS- Stay for the end credits, they squeeze in a couple more hysterical scenes with Bunny and Duck.
Movie times: click here
Genre: Adventure, Animation, Comedy
Run Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Director: Josh Cooley
Actors: Tom Hanks (voice), Tim Allen (voice), Annie Potts (voice)
Rating: G (Fun Fact: This is the only animated film of 2019 to be rated G by the MPAA)
