When Pixar Animation Studios started making feature films back in 1995, which started with "Toy Story", I'm not sure if they ever realized the phenomenon they created. Everything they've created has turned to financial gold, which is deserved. Every film they have produced is not only executed well, but is funny, heartwarming and typically has an amazing message, and "Toy Story 4" is no exception.
Woody (Tom Hanks) has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of a kid, whether that's Andy or Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw). So when Bonnie's beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (Tony Hale), declares himself as "trash", and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang, including Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack), Rex (Wallace Shawn), Hamm (John Ratzenberger), Slinky Dog (Blake Clark) and Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles), on her family's road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (Annie Potts). After years of being on her own, Bo's adventurous spirit lands her in an amusement park along with her new friends including Giggle McDimples (Ally Maki), Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves) and others. As Bonnie et al, arrive at the amusement park, all come together in order to save Woody and Forky from shear peril.
Others to round out the cast are Christina Hendricks as Gabby Gabby, Keegan-Michael Key as Ducky, Jordan Peele as Bunny, Jay Hernandez as Bonnie's dad, Lori Alan as Bonnie's mom, Bonnie Hunt as Dolly, Kristen Schaal as Trixie and Emily Davis as Billy/Goat/Gruff.
This was directed by a virtual newcomer to the director's chair, Josh Cooley (Video shorts). Certainly this filmmaker is no stranger to the Pixar studio--he has paid his dues in creating story ideas (this being one), and with the animation department as well. He definitely paid attention to other talented directors within the Pixar umbrella, since this guy knew exactly how to get his actors to extract certain emotions without their characters coming across as being maudlin and sentimental. It's a tightrope that any director has to walk, and his director did it with expertise. He will get more directing work from Pixar and maybe other production companies. It was brilliantly written by Andrew Stanton ("Toy Story" '95, "A Bug's Life" '98, "Toy Story 2" '99, "Monster's Inc." '01, "Finding Nemo" '03, "WALL-E" '08, "Toy Story 3" '10, "John Carter" '12, "Finding Dory" '16) plus TV, shorts and video games and Stephany Folsom (TV), based on an original story by John Lasseter, Stanton, Cooley, Valerie LaPointe, Rashida Jones, Will McCormack, Martin Hynes and Folsom. Clearly Stanton had the lion's share of the writing in this, however I'm sure Folsom was able to implement some key elements. Stanton is one of the original writers of the Pixar chorale, and clearly has an ability to create screenplays that are cohesive, tight and well thought out. His resume speaks volumes and after seeing this film, his name was written all over this storyline. Pixar has this innate ability to market to a vast audience--young, old, male, female, any nationality or race, and not only does that clinch Pixar in making tons of money, but these films--this one's included, also reaches an equally vast audience in which to send a worthwhile message for us all. I know I've mentioned this with every review I've done on a Pixar film, but how do these guys at Pixar do it? How do they perennially create these films with such expertise--great writing, directing, amazing characters, storylines, funny and heartwarming scripts time and again? Randy Newman even performed the song, "I Can't Let You" in the film. Could it garner a possible best song come Oscar time?
This film, as with all the other "Toy Story" films are incredibly fresh, original, funny and heartwarming. Even though there's a plethora of humor here, you might need some Kleenex when watching this, since the heartwarming sections definitely hit emotional strings. You can either see this in standard form, a digital 3D version or in a nifty IMAX format. This film ROCKS! See it and enjoy!
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: G 100mins.
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