Toy Story 4

Story: Woody (Tom Hanks), now in Bonnie’s possession, sets off on an adventurous journey with the rest of the toy gang. Eventually, he finds his true calling.

Review: Hollywood has a distinct ability to breathe life into objects and the Toy Story franchise is perhaps the best example. This time, writers Andrew Stanton and Stephany Folsom introduce some new characters in this emotional roller coaster. While we still have the good ol’ Woody holding the center stage, the focus is now on Forky. As the name suggests, it’s just a fork with strings for hands and broken wooden sticks for toes. But the fact that you feel instantly connected with him and root for him symbolises the brilliance of the film’s nuanced writing and near flawless execution. Tony Hale’s perfectly pitched voice and an endearing character arc gives him the edge. Director Josh Cooley promptly pulls Toy Story 4 into the action mode as the motley group of toys are taken on a road trip. The fun adventure begins right from the start, as we see Woody inadvertently getting in trouble for always doing the right thing. And Tom Hanks’ reassuring voice is so well suited to Woody that he never feels like a toy. Of course, the other superstar toys from the Toy Story hall of fame continue to shine here too. Among them, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) and Bo Peep (Annie Potts) get a lot more to play with, compared to the rest of the gang. Watch out for Bo’s character transition from a porcelain skinned beauty to a street-smart survivor. Buzz on the other hand, continues to charm as a supportive friend, who is always ready to take one for the team. While the other characters (like Potato Heads, Jessie, Bullseye, Hamm and Rex) are mostly relegated to the background, many laugh out loud moments come from the adorable newcomers Ducky (Keegan-Michael Key) and Bunny (Jordan Peele). More newcomers like the Canadian biker stuntman Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves) and the doll named Gabby Gabby {Christina Hendricks) add a whole new twist to the tale. While Gabby’s character develops in an intriguing manner, Caboom adds to the action adventure despite an equally poignant past. But the hero of the film is clearly Woody, who always plays it right and tugs at your heartstrings.

What really makes Toy Story 4 special is its strong emotional fabric woven into a riveting narrative. Dialogues are laced with high emotional impact and are delivered effectively in familiar voices. This brilliantly captures the film’s core mission to humanise the bond between a child and a toy. Overall, this instalment of Toy Story succeeds in achieving a lot more than just laughs. It manages to strike a universal chord with its audience, by posing deep and meaningful questions like the purpose of our existence. And it does all of this in a wholesome entertaining way with enough comedy and action to make it a fun ride for children of all ages.

Even in its fourth instalment, Toy Story not only remains highly relevant, but also elevates the franchise to newer highs of cinematic excellence.